Seed Grant Program
The Seed Grant Program is designed to provide teams with grants up to $25,000 in USDC in non-dilutive funding to enhance the growth of the Starknet ecosystem.
This program has a simplified application and evaluation process, aiming to provide a decision approximately two weeks after submission.
Seed Grants are intended for projects that have already developed a minimum viable product (MVP) or proof of concept, but haven’t yet gone to market. They are appropriate for projects and teams that meet the following criteria:
- actively involved in the Starknet community and / or participated in a Starknet hackathon, builder program, or other entry-level initiative;
- developed an MVP or proof of concept; and
- planning on using or building upon existing Starknet tools and integrations.
All teams should present a clear plan detailing how the grant will be used within the next three months.
We welcome applications from all industries, and there are no restrictions on the types of products we consider.
Application Process
Apply Now →Application
Apply via our grants submission form to submit your project. You will need to submit a clear roadmap of how the grant will be utilized over the next 3 months.
Internal Evaluation
An internal committee will assess each application based on potential impact, innovation, milestones, community engagement & track record, and embeddedness with the Starknet ecosystem.
Results
We plan to communicate decisions on your application within an approximate two week timeframe.
Onboarding
After successfully completing KYC and signing a grant agreement, you will receive funds.
Post Grant Check-in
After three months, the Foundation will check-in with Grantees and assess the results. The Grantee should share regular updates (blog posts, videos, AMAs etc) with the team to assist in this process.
Who is Not Eligible
This program is not for mature stage projects.
If your product has been live on mainnet for over three months and / or has a core group of users already, it will not be eligible for a Seed Grant.
We do not accept applications related to:
- Gambling
- Drugs
- Firearms
- Illicit trade
- Money laundering
- Any criminal activity
FAQs
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The Seed Grant Program is designed to provide teams with grants up to $25,000 in USDC in non-dilutive funding to enhance the growth of the Starknet ecosystem.
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The Seed Grants Program aims to support early stage teams that have already developed a minimum viable product (MVP) or proof of concept, but haven’t yet gone to market.
If you or your project satisfy the following criteria, consider applying for Seed Grants:
- actively involved in the Starknet community and / or participated in a Starknet hackathon, builder program, or other entry-level initiative;
- developed an MVP or proof of concept; and
- planning on using or building upon existing Starknet tools and integrations.
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Grants are paid out in USDC.
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Results will be communicated to applicants within two weeks.
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There are no restrictions on the types of products we consider. Any project building on Starknet that is not ineligible can apply for a grant.
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An internal committee will assess each application.
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Applications will not be made public and will only be shared amongst the Starknet Foundation and StarkWare team.
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Yes, you will hear back if your application is not accepted.
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No, you can apply for Seed Grants on an ongoing basis. Applications will be reviewed in rounds.
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Please apply via this link, where you will be asked to fill out several questions.
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An internal committee will assess each application based on potential impact, innovation, milestones, community engagement & track record, and embeddedness with the Starknet ecosystem.
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Yes, however, you will be asked if you have previously applied to the Seed Grants program. If you have, please include details on how your project has evolved and improved since the last time you applied.
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We encourage existing Starknet funded projects to apply and illustrate what they will use the Seed Grant for.
However, please note that mature projects already live on Starknet with a core group of users are not eligible to participate in the Seed Grants Program.
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Yes, we are legally required to perform KYC/ KYB to verify identities and ensure funds are properly distributed.
Any project unwilling to complete the required KYC/KYB procedures will not be eligible for a grant.
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When completing your application, it’s crucial to provide a comprehensive overview of your project, outlining its objectives, potential impact, and how it aligns with the Starknet ecosystem.
Clearly articulate the unique value proposition of your project and how it addresses existing challenges or opportunities within the ecosystem.
Additionally, detail your team’s expertise, experience, and contributions, showcasing why you’re the right group to bring this project to life.
A well-thought-out plan for using the grant money is essential, as it will demonstrate a clear understanding of how the funds will be allocated to drive project success.
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We welcome applications from all industries, and there are no restrictions on the types of projects we consider.
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If you require more than $25,000, we recommend considering other funding options or discussing your specific needs with our team.
While the Seed Grants program offers grants up to $25,000, we understand that some projects may require additional funding.
Feel free to reach out to us to discuss potential alternatives or opportunities for further support
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While any project can apply, your project has a much better chance of standing out if you can show prior Starknet alignment and participation.