The Next Wave Fund is a joint initiative between Kickstarter and Google designed to support early-stage technology startups and small businesses developing innovative products in hardware, software, gaming, and connected technologies. The programme provides financial backing, expert mentorship, and promotional support to help entrepreneurs successfully launch and scale their ideas.
Programme Overview
The Next Wave Fund is focused on empowering entrepreneurs building bold, technology-driven solutions. It supports projects that combine innovation with practical application, particularly in:
Hardware development
Software products
Digital gaming
Connected and smart technologies
New materials and innovative product design
The initiative aims to help creators move from concept to launch while building sustainable businesses with strong market potential.
Support Package
Selected participants receive a comprehensive support package combining funding, training, mentorship, and visibility.
Financial Support
$10,000 pledge toward the project’s crowdfunding goal on Kickstarter
Strategic and Technical Support
Hands-on guidance from Kickstarter’s Design & Technology team
Support with campaign planning, positioning, and launch strategy
Assistance with audience engagement and community building
Training and Learning Resources
Free access to training programmes developed by Google
Includes the Google AI Professional Certificate
Workshops delivered through Grow with Google coaches
Entrepreneurship and scaling-focused learning modules
Community and Networking
Access to Kickstarter’s entrepreneur community forum
Opportunities to connect with other founders in tech and design
Peer learning and collaboration across industries
Marketing and Visibility
Promotion through Kickstarter’s email newsletters and social media channels
Increased exposure for selected crowdfunding campaigns
Visibility support during key stages of campaign execution
Growth Opportunities
Potential eligibility to apply for Google Accelerator programmes as the business scales
Access to long-term ecosystem support for high-growth startups
Eligibility Criteria
To qualify for the Next Wave Fund, applicants must meet specific requirements:
Business Requirements
Must be an entrepreneur or small business with fewer than 20 full-time employees
Project must focus on technology or digital gaming
Product must include innovation in:
Hardware or software
New materials
Functional or technical innovation
Location and Legal Requirements
At least one team member must be:
A U.S. citizen, OR
A U.S. resident, OR
An O-1 visa holder
Project bank account must be based in the United States
Additional Requirements
Primary applicant must be at least 18 years old
Project must comply with all Kickstarter platform rules
Applicants must intend to run a Kickstarter crowdfunding campaign
Application and Review Process
Applications are evaluated jointly by teams from Kickstarter and Google.
Evaluation Criteria
Projects are assessed based on:
Innovation and originality
Market potential
Feasibility of execution
Alignment with technology and gaming focus areas
Timeline
Applicants receive results within approximately six weeks after submission
Selected projects are onboarded into the programme before campaign launch
Programme Participation Expectations
Successful applicants are expected to:
Launch a Kickstarter crowdfunding campaign
Actively engage with mentorship and training programmes
Apply strategic feedback to improve campaign outcomes
Participate in community and promotional opportunities
Webinar and Learning Opportunities
To support applicants, Kickstarter offers a webinar hosted by its Design & Technology team.
The session covers:
Best practices for running successful crowdfunding campaigns
Campaign design and storytelling strategies
Practical guidance for first-time and experienced creators
Participants can attend live or receive a recorded version after registration.
Additional Resources
Participants and applicants can access several learning and support tools, including:
Creator Resources Hub – guides for campaign planning and marketing
Kickstarter Partners Directory – access to service providers for manufacturing, strategy, and fulfilment
Learning Lab – expert-led video content on fundraising and campaign strategy
These resources are designed to strengthen campaign quality and improve funding success rates.
Programme Impact
The Next Wave Fund aims to strengthen early-stage innovation ecosystems by providing:
Financial support for product development and launch
Structured mentorship from industry experts
Increased visibility for emerging tech founders
Access to global innovation networks
By combining funding with education and exposure, the programme helps bridge the gap between early-stage ideas and scalable businesses.
Why This Programme Matters
The initiative plays a key role in supporting innovation by enabling small teams to bring technology products to market. It is particularly focused on helping founders overcome common early-stage barriers such as:
Limited access to capital
Lack of technical or business mentorship
Difficulty reaching early customers
Challenges in launching successful crowdfunding campaigns
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Disclaimer: Global South Opportunities (GSO) is not the organization offering this opportunity. For any inquiries, please contact the official organization directly. Please do not send your applications & CVs to GSO, as we are unable to process them. Due to the high volume of emails, we receive daily, we may not be able to respond to all inquiries. Thank you for your understanding.
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