Bucks Built Startup Fund: Fall Application Now Open

The founders from the first three cohorts of the Bucks Built Startup Fund.

Funded by the Bucks County Industrial Development Authority and administered by Startup Bucks, the Bucks Built Startup Fund is now accepting applications for its fourth cohort of funding. This round will deploy $125,000 as $25,000 investments in five high-potential early-stage startups. Partner Penn Community Bank has sponsored an additional $20,000 in grants for promising applicants that do not receive investment.

Different from previous rounds, applications will be reviewed on a first come first served basis. Qualified applicants will be advanced through a streamlined pitch and interview process and investment selections will be made on a rolling basis.

The stage and industry of qualified startups can vary, but they must meet the following basic criteria:

• Innovative and designing to scale

• No more than 5 full-time employees

• Currently incorporated entity (e.g., LLC, C-corp, etc.)

• And at least one of the following:

  • Business headquartered and registered in Bucks County

  • Operations based in Bucks County

  • Founder or employee(s) primary work location in Bucks County

  • Founder and/or owner currently residing in Bucks County

As the volume of Bucks County based applicants has increased each cycle, existing presence in Bucks County is now a must-have requirement for consideration. Companies can be incorporated elsewhere, e.g. Delaware C-corp, but must meet one of the Bucks County geographic requirements.

In addition to investment, each startup receives partnered advising, resources, connections, and programming from the Bucks Built team, the Industrial Development Authority, and the Startup Bucks community focused on enabling growth and securing follow-on funding.

Interested startups can learn more and apply at BucksBuilt.com.

The 15 portfolio companies and seven grant recipients from previous cycles have spanned diverse industries ranging from HR and clinical software to vegan haircare and medtech. The 15 investment recipients have already gone on to raise a over $10 million in combined follow-on funding, with five receiving funding from Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Southeastern PA.

Want to learn more? Head to bucksbuilt.com for program details and criteria.

Questions or Inquiries? Email scout@startupbucks.org