If you can locate the proper combination of opportunities, bootstrapping is the greatest approach for equity-free funding a business. The most effective ways to finance a business include crowdsourcing, grants, and competitions. Governments throughout the world are developing smart initiatives to draw in creative businesses and people, fostering a culture of entrepreneurship. These programmes enable entrepreneurs to pick their nation as their operational centre by providing equity-free funding, round-trip airfare, workspace, and free lodging. A few excellent choices are grants of at least $50,000. In addition, governments are providing free lodging, workspace, and round-trip airfare to encourage the success of companies.
Start-Up Chile
Launch A government initiative called Chile seeks to draw in early-stage businesspeople who want to use Chile as a worldwide platform to bootstrap their ventures. Three programmes are available under the programme: Scale, Seed Programme, and S Factory. For female entrepreneurs, the S Factory gives 10 million CLP and three months of acceleration; for 80–100 enterprises, the Seed Programme offers 20 million CLP and six months of acceleration. Top-performing firms can apply for follow-on investment and 60 million CLP through the Scale programme.
Merck Accelerator
With options for network growth and financial support, the Merck Accelerator in Kenya supports digital health entrepreneurs in Darmstadt and Nairobi. A 50,000 Euro grant, free housing, senior mentorship, demo days, individualised coaching sessions, and collaboration with worldwide project teams from Merck are just a few of the benefits available to candidates from a variety of industries, including performance material, healthcare, and life science. The chosen candidates will be notified on August 16, 2016, after the application deadline of July 25, 2016.
Arch Grants
Innovative firms based in St. Louis for a minimum of one year are eligible to apply for the Arch Awards Global Startup Competition, which provides $50,000 in equity-free cash awards and pro bono support services. Companies that have advanced past the concept stage and have diversified, valuable teams are given preference. In addition to pro-bono services, personal connections, access to angel investment networks, reduced office and residential space, professional mentorship, social support, and visa facilitation—up to 45 firms will get $50,000 apiece.
Parallel18
A Puerto Rican project called Parallel18 seeks to draw influential businesses to international audiences. Funding for the programme ranges from $40K to USD 75K and is supported by the Puerto Rico Science & Technology Trust, the Department of Economic Development & Commerce, and the Puerto Rico Industrial Development Company. One team leader and up to two team members are needed for the programme, along with a prototype for a globally scalable firm. A recommendation letter, a pitch video, and a written application using the YouNoodle platform are required for applications.
Fit for Start
Fit for Start is a 16-week programme that provides ICT entrepreneurs with early-stage funding and coaching in Luxembourg. Its goal is to assist entrepreneurs in creating a prototype and testing it on customers. Weekly check-ins with lean startup specialists, chances to network with other Luxembourg-based entrepreneurs, and a €50,000 award are all part of the programme. Applications for the autumn session will be accepted beginning in the summer of 2017. Free coworking space, 232 coaching hours, workshops, individualised coaching, access to Luxembourg’s startup support system, a demo day, and help with visas are among the other advantages.
French Tech Ticket
A 12-month programme called the French Tech Ticket was created to entice international business owners to establish and grow their firms in France. The program provides training, financial support, and help to acquire new customers. Selected entrepreneurs will get one-on-one coaching, fundraising strategy, expert guidance, and pitch practice from 41 of the best French partner incubators. Offering advantages like a streamlined French residency visa, customised masterclasses, and an alumni programme, the programme is offered in 12 French locales.
Kickstart Accelerator
For international early-stage businesses with viable business concepts in four verticals—food, FinTech & Future & Emerging Technologies, Smart & Connected Machines, and FinTech—Kickstart, the Swiss accelerator, provides an 11-week programme. The programme offers mentorship, shared office space, industry partners’ connections, access to the Swiss startup community, and up to 25,000 Swiss francs in prize money each month. Teams showcase their work to journalists, business executives, investors, and sponsors on the program’s demo day.
TechFounders
High-class clients or investors can win a €25,000 (about USD 28,000) prize from the Munich, Germany accelerator programme TechFounders. Throughout the 20-week programme, participants will have free office space, access to MakerSpace, a 1,500-square-metre high-tech workshop, and direct connection to industry partners. All business models—Freemium, SaaS, and License—that operate in the fields of automotive, robotics, automation, financial services, cleantech, software, telecommunications, and electronics are open to applications. Tenacity, solid technical expertise, sound judgement, product sensibility, and a distinct market emphasis are among the selection criteria.
Ideaspace
Applications are now being accepted for a two-stage startup accelerator in Makati City, Philippines, which offers up to USD 12,000 in benefits to tech entrepreneurs in Southeast Asia. These benefits include help with prototype development, business management classes, office space, software support, legal, intellectual property, regulatory operations, marketing, financial, and HR support, as well as mentorship from industry experts and assistance with travel, lodging, and meal expenses. International teams with creative, scalable concepts are welcome to apply to the programme.
Hot DesQ
Early-stage entrepreneurs and firms aiming to enter the Asia-Pacific market can apply for a grant of up to USD 80,000 from the startup accelerator located in Queensland, Australia. Hot DesQ partners, landing assistance, and free coworking space are all part of the six-month programme. Candidates need to have a background, a clear business plan, and be fluent in English. A written application, a pitch video, an email, and a video interview with the judging panel are all required throughout the application process.
Conclusion
Around the world, governments are putting bootstrapping initiatives into place to encourage entrepreneurship and draw in innovative companies. These initiatives include workspace, free housing, round-trip travel, and equity-free investment. A few instances include TechFounders, Hot DesQ, Fit for Start, French Tech Ticket, Start-Up Chile, Merck Accelerator, Parallel18, Kickstart Accelerator, and Ideaspace. These programmes provide up to 25,000 Swiss francs in prize money each month, together with investment, coaching, shared office space, industry partners’ contacts, and access to the Swiss startup ecosystem.
