Tech Rising Tech Idea Incubator Fund Overview

 

The Tech Rising Tech Idea Incubator Fund will help seed innovative ideas from nonprofit organizations that are helping to eliminate the digital divide and foster digital inclusion and equity. 

 

Grants will be between $1-5K and will be used to seed creative and innovative ideas that could eventually become larger initiatives.

 

Funding corporate partners include: Google Fiber; Truist; Allstate; Lowe’s; Duke Energy; Bank of America and Better.com.

 

Nonprofit Criteria:

• Open to every 501c3 nonprofit serving Mecklenburg County that attended the Tech Rising Virtual Summit.

• Funding should be used to support youth (K-12) in Title 1 schools. 

 

Examples of types of projects/programs that could be funded, include, but are not limited to:

• Technology that improves efficiencies with students

• Technology equipment such as 3D printers

• STEM kits

• Taking a current program virtual

• Tech Idea submissions can include a program currently in progress but could be expanded by the grant or an idea or collaboration not yet implemented but that could be seeded by the grant.

 

Tech Idea Fund submission process:

1. February 26th - March 26th: Tech Idea submission window is open,  all submissions must be received by 5pm on March 26th via this form.

2. March 29th - April 9th: Tech Ideas will be featured on www.techrisingclt.org 

   • Corporate partners will rank top 10 to come back and share idea to funders

3. April 12th: Top 10 nonprofits will share their idea to funders in 5 min rounds.

4. April 16: The winners will be announced through SHARE Charlotte and AvidXchange communications channels. 

   • Nonprofits will also be asked to promote that they have won through their social channels.

 

Funding Requirements:

• Nonprofits must use the funds by August 1st.

• Nonprofits will share with SHARE Charlotte how they used their funds by August 1st so it can be used for social media promotion.