Innovation Fund

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

• Registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit
• Tax ID: 81-2345565
• Locations: Washington DC, Palo Alto CA

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.