Do you have a strong business idea, but need some help moving it forward? Apply for Enterpreneurship@DU’s Microgrant Program!
Open to all full-time students at the University of Denver
E@DU’s Microgrant Program gives students the tools and resources they need to take their ideas from concept to reality.
One-time microgrants of up to $1,000 are available to DU students from any full-time program to support new and early-stage business ideas. Funds are available upon receiving the grant. The E@DU team will take care of purchasing and expense tracking.
All students will also have access to mentors, co-working spaces and entrepreneurship workshops to further support their business endeavors.
1) Submit a 1- to 2-minute video addressing the following questions:
- Introduction to team member(s): Your name, year and major and the skillset you bring to the team
- Explain your idea. What is the opportunity, what problem does it solve, what unmet need does it address?
- Why do you want to pursue this idea?
- Explain in detail how you plan to use the funds.
- Explain the status of your idea today and where it will be in 90 days if you’re awarded a microgrant.
2) Email the following information to DU.Entrepreneur@du.edu:
- Subject line: Application for E@DU microgrant
- Link to 1- to 2-minute video presentation
- Paragraph about your idea
- Contact information
- Name(s) of every team member
- Student(s)’ 87 Number
- Main contact name and email address
Applicants will be notified within 14 days of submitting their application.
Acceptance Requirements
- If your application is accepted, you’ll meet in person with the selection committee to discuss the idea and detail how you plan to use the microgrant.
- All funds must be used within 90 days of receiving the microgrant.
- Recipients will be required to check in with their assigned mentor twice during the 90-day period.
- After the grant period, recipients will present their progress and learnings to the e@DU team, discussing the next steps for their idea.
Acceptable Microgrant Uses
- Purchasing of materials for a minimum viable product
- Prototyping, experiments and concept testing
- Market research tools and software
- Marketing material such as business cards, flyers, domain name, etc.
- Software to prove out your idea
- Licensing and legal fees
- Development and UX/UI design costs (based on the business requirement)
Unacceptable Microgrant Uses
- Website designer, influencer marketing, services that don’t require a subject matter expert
- Rent for co-working or office space
- Equipment or software that isn’t core to the development of the idea
- Travel expenses
- Team member salaries
- Food expenses
If you have questions, contact the E@DU team at DU.Entrepreneur@du.edu.