Next Wave Fund

The Next Wave Fund is a joint initiative by Kickstarter and Google designed to empower early-stage technology startups and small businesses to launch, fund, and scale their innovative physical or digital products.

The program bridges the gap between a bold idea and a scalable business by combining Kickstarter’s crowdfunding expertise with Google’s strategic business tools and training.

Key Benefits:

• Financial Kickstart: Selected projects receive a $10,000 pledge from the fund toward their Kickstarter funding goal when their campaign goes live.

• Expert Mentorship: Hands-on guidance from Kickstarter's Design & Technology team on campaign strategy, positioning, and community engagement.

• Google Training: No-cost access to professional certificates (like the Google AI Professional Certificate) and workshops led by "Grow with Google" coaches.

• Marketing Exposure: Promotion via Kickstarter’s newsletters and social media channels to reach a global audience of backers.

• Scaling Pathways: Opportunities to apply for Google Accelerators as the business matures.

To qualify, your project must fit within the "Technology" or "Digital Gaming" categories as defined by the program.

1. Business & Team Profile

• Size: Must be an entrepreneur or a small business with fewer than 20 full-time employees.

• Legal Status: At least one team member must be a U.S. citizen, permanent resident, or O-1 visa holder.

• Banking: The project's bank account must be located in the United States.

• Age: The primary contact must be at least 18 years old.

2. Project Focus The fund specifically supports innovation in:

• Hardware & Connected Tech: Physical products with innovative functionality.

• Software: New applications or technical materials.

• Digital Gaming: Projects that incorporate software or hardware components.

3. Platform Alignment

• Crowdfunding Intent: You must intend to run a live Kickstarter campaign to receive the support.

• Rules: The project must comply with all standard Kickstarter platform rules (e.g., no "buy-and-resell," clear prototypes for hardware).