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Capital Challenge
The Capital Challenge seeks to increase access to capital, particularly in regions where there is a limited supply of equity-based funding and a demonstrated opportunity to invest in innovative, technology-centric businesses within growing industry and technology clusters.
The Capital Challenge provides operational support for:
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the formation, launch, or scale of investment funds that seek to invest their capital in scalable startups;
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organizations with a goal to expand capital deployment within a community, region, or regional industry (i.e. angel networks or investor training programs);
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programs that practice equity-based investing, whether through traditional or hybrid models, or support an initiative whose participants practice equity-based investing (in contrast to debt-based investing, which is not supported under the Capital Challenge); and
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deployment of investment capital into technology startups based on an investment thesis that clearly supports and foster the growth of a regional technology cluster.
Under this Challenge, there are two funding levels – Form and Deploy – designed to support applicants in creating new funds and scaling existing funds and investment programs.