Students can take advantage of early stage funding to focus on growing what matters most, their venture. The Lavin Entrepreneurship Center Startup SEED Fund is open to any currently matriculating SDSU student who has been accepted to or currently participating in either the Lavin Entrepreneur Program or in one of the tracks of the Zahn Innovation Platform Launchpad. This startup fund is also open to students who are enrolled in the Entrepreneurship Minor or Entrepreneurship Specialization, contingent on the student being accepted into the ZIP Launchpad if selected to be awarded funding. 

The Lavin Center would like to recognize Carol Lavin Bernick for her efforts in making this program possible. If you have questions about applying for funding, please email Sarah Ainsworth at [email protected].

                                                                                                                                           Startup Fund Annual Report 2021

 Sample Application

 

Eligible Uses for Funding

• Marketing expenses
• Material for product development & MVP prototyping
• Business license or permits
• Legal help outside Lavin Center programs
• Web and application development
• Pay for temporary/contract employees 
• Ineligible Uses: Non-related conferences or events, generic business equipment (computers, drones,
  cameras, etc.) 

How to Apply

• Students are encouraged to join the startup fund workshops, which overview the application and successful completion. Information on workshop dates and the application deadline for this round of funding are listed on the Lavin Center calendar.
• Students should consider their venture’s business model canvas, perform background research, and understand their customer and market before applying to the startup fund.
• For a better understanding of how the application is reviewed, please watch the Lavin Early Start-up Seed Fund Application Workshop video: