Bucks Built Startup Fund

Bucks Built invests up to $25,000 into early-stage startups with funding from the Bucks County Industrial Development Authority and provides grants funded by Penn Community Bank.

Through up to 12 months of iterative advising, resources, and connections, we help recipients master growth and access follow-on investment.

The 2023 application window for Bucks Built grants is closed.

In the meantime, stay connected with the community on Slack and watch for Bucks Built 2024!

 

View Past Investment Recipients

The Bucks Built Fund has invested in 19 early-stage startups funding since 2021.

 

Grant Eligibility Criteria

All applicant startups must be:

  • Innovative, differentiated, and scalable

  • At a stage ranging from proof of concept to in-market

  • Based in Bucks County, PA

Existing business must:

  • Be less than two years old as of September 1, 2023

  • Have 5 employees or less, including founder(s)

  • Have gross sales less than $50,000 as of September 1, 2023

  • Have raised less than $25,000 of institutional funding (e.g. angel investors, accelerators, incubators)

  • Be incorporated, or provide an outline of a plan to do so

  • Not be a prior recipient of funding or grants administered by Startup Bucks

 

What Bucks Built Startups Receive

 

Investment or Grants

✔ Up to $25,000 investment or up to $10,000 grants to help fund your business and cover expenses

✔ The investment is provided as convertible note (i.e., short-term debt that converts into equity)

✔ More info available on the Investment Details page

Customized Support

✔ Best practice advising on funding and governance

✔ Pitch coaching and practice sessions

✔ Focused advising for market traction and top-line growth

✔ Ongoing and on-call advising from the Bucks Built advisors

✔ Priority to present at weekly Founder's 30 forums

✔ Introductions to follow-on investors, funding sources, and partner opportunities

Resources

✔ Free access to workspace and meeting rooms at Stacks Co. in Doylestown, ic@3401 in Philadelphia, and Nomadworks in Manhattan

✔ Introductions to trusted services like accounting, legal, insurance, marketing, etc.

✔ Community of early-stage and experienced founders

 
 

Fall 2023 Grants Funding Screening Panelists

 

Past Screening Panelists

Applicants that advance will have a pitch interview with one or a two screening panel volunteers and the Bucks Built team.

Funding and Resources provided by our partners

Not the right fit for Bucks Built — or not a startup at all?

If you’re not a startup yourself (or your startup doesn’t fit the parameters of our program), we’d still love to connect with you!