Funding Amount

Varies

Deadline

Rolling / Open

Grant Type

foundation

Overview

Innovation Fund

Funder: Common Mission Project (CMP)

Overview:
The Innovation Fund is Common Mission's strategic investment engine designed to protect American innovation and entrepreneurship by investing in bold ideas, emerging technologies, mission-driven student teams, and young founders solving critical national problems.

    Key Features

  • Non-dilutive funding that allows founders to focus on solving critical national problems without equity dilution
  • Cultivates a robust pipeline of talent and technology to solidify America's competitive advantage

    Impact Metrics

  • 300+ novel solutions funded
  • 73 new startups built by young founders
  • $400M follow-on funding raised by portfolio companies
  • 650 funded young founders building for America

    Portfolio Focus Areas

    Funded solutions span multiple domains including:
  • Defense technology and innovation
  • National security challenges
  • Military readiness and operations
  • Intelligence and surveillance systems
  • Supply chain resilience
  • Emerging technologies (quantum, AI, autonomous systems)
  • Emergency management and disaster response

    Geographic Scope

    United States-focused, with participating universities across multiple regions including:
  • Mid-Atlantic, Southeast, Great Lakes, Southwest, Rocky Mountain, and Pacific South regions

    Eligibility

  • Student teams from participating universities
  • Young founders and emerging technology ventures
  • Teams addressing real-world challenges provided by government agencies

    Associated Programs

    Funded through signature programs:
  • Hacking for Defense® (H4D) - semester-long university course addressing DoD problems
  • Hacking for Homeland Security (H4HS) - addresses DHS component challenges
  • Hacking for Diplomacy (H4Diplomacy) - emerging program

    Partners

  • Lockheed Martin
  • BMNT, Inc.
  • National Security Innovation Network (NSIN)
  • U.S. Department of Defense
  • Department of Homeland Security
  • Various universities and government agencies

Contact

Website: https://www.commonmission.us/fund

Organization: Common Mission Project (CMP)

  • Registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit

  • Tax ID: 81-2345565

  • Locations: Washington DC, Palo Alto CA
  • How to Apply

    How to Apply

    1. Visit the Innovation Fund page at https://www.commonmission.us/fund
    2. Click "APPLY FOR FUNDING" button on the website
    3. Eligibility requirements:
    - Be part of a student team from a participating H4D/H4HS university, OR
    - Be a young founder/emerging technology venture addressing national security challenges
    4. Submit application through the online portal (specific application form details not provided on available pages)

      Required Information

      Based on program structure, likely required:
    • Problem statement and challenge description
    • Solution approach and methodology
    • Team composition and qualifications
    • Government agency sponsor/problem provider
    • Budget and funding needs
    • Timeline for solution development

    Note: Detailed step-by-step application instructions and specific narrative questions were not available in the provided website content. Contact CMP directly or visit the application portal for complete requirements.

    Focus Areas & Funding Uses

    Fields of Work

    startupsscience-research

    Categories

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