[Aab] PLEASE CIRCULATE: Z21 Innovation Fund | Call for Applications for MVP Funding

[Susan Davies]

Dear WSI Academic Advisory Board

I'd be grateful if you would circulate the Z21 Call for Applications below to relevant emails lists within your Faculties.

Many thanks

Susan
____________________________________

Susan Davies
Coordination Manager
Web Science Institute
Building 32, Room 3041
University of Southampton
Southampton SO17 1BJ

T 023 8059 3523
M 07768 266464

http://www.southampton.ac.uk/wsi/


***APOLOGIES IF YOU RECEIVE THIS MORE THAN ONCE***

Z21 Innovation Fund | Call for Applications for MVP Funding

The Z21 Innovation Fund is a collaboration between the Web Science Institute (WSI) at the University of Southampton and the Solent Local Enterprise Partnership<https://solentlep.org.uk/> (LEP).  The mission of the Fund is to accelerate University of Southampton Web startups towards investment and rapid growth and create high-tech jobs in the Solent region.

The Z21 Innovation Fund is seeking applications from potential ventures to create a Minimum Viable Product (MVP), achieve product market fit, and gain traction with users.  Applicants can apply for funding up to £6,300 for a 3-month MVP Project.  At the end of this period, MVP Projects will present to the Z21 Grant and Investment Panel and will have the opportunity to apply for Pre-Seed funding up to £31,500.  The award of an MVP grant does not guarantee progression to the Pre-Seed stage: progression is determined by the Grant and Investment Panel, based on the success of the MVP stage.

All successful projects will receive support from Future Worlds<https://futureworlds.com/>, a University of Southampton on-campus startup incubator which has a valuable external network of mentors, investors and experts.  Future Worlds will offer acceleration, helping projects with value proposition, market product fit, and making introductions to mentors.  This support will continue through the Pre-Seed stage with help to script, film and edit a professional pitch video.  At the end of the 6-month Pre-Seed Funding stage, projects will be invited to a Demo Day to pitch to investors.

To apply for MVP funding, please download and read the Technical Guidance for Applicants<https://cdn.southampton.ac.uk/assets/imported/transforms/content-block/UsefulDownloads_Download/836A0F2E03B84F87BB5CEBDF539F6F32/Z21%20Technical%20Guidance%20April%202018.pdf#_ga=2.223091992.2077258184.1524479074-1926334026.1401986789> and complete the Application Form<https://cdn.southampton.ac.uk/assets/imported/transforms/content-block/UsefulDownloads_Download/4ABF88B083584697848F175054799148/Z21%20MVP%20Application%20Form%20April%202018.docx#_ga=2.199490861.2077258184.1524479074-1926334026.1401986789> and return to Susan Davies at z21 at soton.ac.uk<mailto:z21 at soton.ac.uk>. The closing date for applications is 5pm on Friday 18 May 2018. There will be a further Call in July 2018 for projects to start in October 2018.

We are only able to accept applications from students or staff studying or working at the University of Southampton.

Successful applicants will be invited to attend an interview with the Z21 Grant and Investment Panel on Wednesday 13 June 2018. Funded MVP Projects will run from 1 July - 30 September 2018.

If you have any questions about the application, the stages of the Z21 Innovation Fund, the eligibility criteria, and the operating processes, please contact Ben Clark at z21 at soton.ac.uk<mailto:z21 at soton.ac.uk>

For more information about Z21, please visit the WSI website<https://www.southampton.ac.uk/wsi/z21/z21-innovation-fund.page>

____________________________________

Susan Davies
Coordination Manager
Web Science Institute
Building 32, Room 3041
University of Southampton
Southampton SO17 1BJ

T 023 8059 3523
M 07768 266464

http://www.southampton.ac.uk/wsi/
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