Start-up Funding

America's Seed Fund

For almost every entrepreneur, money is the biggest challenge. In the movies, a kindhearted investor saves the day with business insights and a big bag of cash. The fictional investor never asks for equity. In the real world, that doesn’t happen, even if you’re willing to sacrifice a piece of your business.

With one exception: America’s Seed Fund, also known as the federal Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer programs. America’s Seed Fund offers entrepreneurs money they don’t have to pay back. Historically, the National Science Foundation-funded programs have provided twice as much money to small companies as venture funds.

Our team – Hutch McClendon and Vic Johnson – works with dozens of tech startups every year through the Louisiana Technology Transfer Office. They can guide you through each phase of the funding programs. Roughly 20 percent of applicants receive Phase I funding of up to $295,924 to show their invention is feasible. But more than half of Phase I award winners secure Phase II grants of up to $1.97 million to commercialize their discoveries.

To find out more, contact Hutch McClendon, hmcclendon@lsu.edu, 225-578-4842 or Vic Johnson, vjohns3@lsu.edu, 225-578-7555.