Organization · Grant Maker
Georgia Kickstart Fund
The Georgia Kickstart Fund is a student-managed seed grant fund based at the University of Georgia, providing non-dilutive grants to support early-stage startups. It focuses on fostering entrepreneurship within the UGA community and the greater Athens area.
Overview
What Georgia Kickstart Fund does
What Georgia Kickstart Fund is
The Georgia Kickstart Fund is a student-managed seed grant fund based at the University of Georgia, providing non-dilutive grants to support early-stage startups. It focuses on fostering entrepreneurship within the UGA community and the greater Athens area.
How it participates in the startup ecosystem
The current public profile supports funder and grantor and community capabilities. Each capability below is shown separately so organization identity and role-specific information do not get conflated.
Operational profile
Organization status and context
Organization status describes the entity itself. Funding and program availability appear within the relevant capability profile.
- Operational status
- Active
- Organization type
- Grant Maker
- Founded
- Founded in 2017
- Approximate age
- About 9 years
- Structured capabilities
- Funder · Grantor · Community
- Last reviewed
- March 30, 2026
Official channels
Find Georgia Kickstart Fund elsewhere
Open the official website or a supported primary organization account.
Capability profile
Georgia Kickstart Fund as a funder
Investment thesis
The Georgia Kickstart Fund supports early-stage companies in Georgia, particularly those led by UGA students and faculty, by providing non-dilutive seed grants to foster innovation and entrepreneurship.
Focus narrative
The fund invests in early-stage companies across various sectors, with a strong emphasis on technology and innovation. By providing financial support through grants, the Georgia Kickstart Fund helps startups based in Georgia to develop their ideas and bring them to market.
Value beyond capital
The Georgia Kickstart Fund adds value to its portfolio companies by providing not only financial support but also mentorship and resources through its network of student partners and associates. This community-driven approach helps entrepreneurs navigate the early stages of their ventures effectively.
Terms and economics
- Typical check
- $500–$10,000
- Sweet spot
- $5,000
Focus and fit
Availability
- Currently deploying
- Yes
Portfolio and track record
Portfolio context
The Georgia Kickstart Fund has supported numerous startups led by UGA students and faculty, many of which have successfully raised follow-on funding from external venture capitalists, including notable investments from figures like Mark Cuban.
Capability profile
Georgia Kickstart Fund as a grantor
Grant thesis
The Georgia Kickstart Fund supports early-stage companies in Georgia, fostering innovation and entrepreneurship within the state.
Focus narrative
The Georgia Kickstart Fund invests in early-stage companies, particularly those in technology and innovation sectors. It is dedicated to supporting startups based in Georgia, specifically targeting UGA students and faculty entrepreneurs.
Value and support
Beyond funding, the Georgia Kickstart Fund offers mentorship and networking opportunities through its community of student managers and associates, enhancing the entrepreneurial ecosystem at UGA.
Grant economics
- Grant range
- $500–$10,000
- Typical grant
- $5,000
- Dilutive
- No
- Nonprofit only
- Yes
Availability
- Application state
- Accepting
Eligibility and fit
- Stages
- Pre-seed · Seed
- Audience
- Students
- Regions
- North AmericaUnited States
Process and recipient context
Application process
Managed by students at the University of Georgia, the fund oversees the entire grant process, including marketing, application review, pitch evaluation, and funding decisions. The fund provides non-dilutive grants to eligible applicants, ensuring that the focus remains on fostering innovation without taking equity.
Recipient context
Kickstart alumni have successfully raised follow-on equity funding from external VCs, including notable investments from Mark Cuban. Many alumni have progressed to secure seed and Series A rounds from institutional venture capitalists.
Capability profile
Georgia Kickstart Fund as a community
Community overview
The Georgia Kickstart Fund is an organization dedicated to fostering innovation and entrepreneurship within Georgia. It is a student-managed seed grant fund that operates under the UGA Entrepreneurship Program at the Terry College of Business, University of Georgia. Founded in 2017, the fund aims to support early-stage companies by providing non-dilutive seed grants to UGA students and faculty entrepreneurs.
Community focus
The Georgia Kickstart Fund focuses on early-stage companies, particularly in the technology and innovation sectors. It aims to support startups based in Georgia, providing them with the necessary resources to grow and succeed in their entrepreneurial endeavors.
Member value
Members of the Georgia Kickstart Fund benefit from access to non-dilutive seed grants ranging from $500 to $10,000, which can help them launch and develop their business ideas. The fund is managed by students, providing them with hands-on experience in entrepreneurship and investment processes.
Membership
- Recorded members
- 22
- Pricing models
- free
Format and cadence
- Modality
- in-person
- Schedule
- rolling-admissions
- Commitment
- light
Availability
- Membership state
- Accepting
Audience and fit
- Audience
- Founders · Students
- Benefits
- grant-funding and network-access
- Program types
- community
- Selection criteria
- application
- Stages
- Pre-seed · Seed
- Regions
- United States
Community activity
Notable members
Notable alumni of the Georgia Kickstart Fund have gone on to secure follow-on investments from external VCs, including a reference to Mark Cuban in UGA press coverage.
Common questions
What to know about Georgia Kickstart Fund
Upseed classifies Georgia Kickstart Fund under the Grant Maker organization type. Its current public profile includes funder, grantor, and community capabilities.
Source and update disclosure
Know what this page is based on
Source basis
Public organization and program material, official websites, and structured Upseed records.
Last reviewed
March 30, 2026
Known limits
Capability profiles appear only when a structured public profile also contains decision-useful role evidence. Terms and availability can change.
Upseed is an independent guide. It is not affiliated with or endorsed by the organization described on this page.