Overview

The Next Wave Fund is an initiative designed to support early-stage startups and small businesses building innovative solutions in technology, gaming, and connected products, backed by Google and Kickstarter.

Eligibility

To apply for the Next Wave Fund, applicants must meet the following criteria:

Must be an entrepreneur or small business with fewer than 20 full-time employees.
Must focus on technology (hardware, software, innovation) or digital or physical gaming.
At least one team member must be a U.S. citizen, U.S. resident, or O-1 visa holder.
The primary applicant must be 18 years or older.
The project’s bank account must be located in the United States.
The project must comply with all Kickstarter rules and guidelines.

Benefits

Selected participants benefit from a comprehensive package that includes:

$10,000 Kickstarter Pledge towards crowdfunding goal (unlocked upon reaching the goal).
Expert guidance from Kickstarter’s Design & Technology team including campaign strategy, launch preparation, and community building.
Free Google training & certifications, including access to Google AI Professional Certificate and other workshops.
Access to an exclusive entrepreneur community forum to network with like-minded innovators.
Marketing & promotion opportunities via Kickstarter newsletters and social media channels.
Opportunities to apply for Google Accelerator programs.