Funding for CWRU Entrepreneurs
We know that founders are working hard to achieve their goals of forming or growing a startup company while balancing their studies, work and life. That’s why we are here to help.
Our THINK, DO, THRIVE model serves student, alumni and faculty entrepreneurs with opportunities for financial support needed to move new innovations forward. Previous awardees of the Student Entrepreneurship Fund and Student Project Fund, through Sears think[box], are encouraged to apply.
Receiving a financial award from the THINK, DO, THRIVE grant program provides a valuable learning and life-skills opportunity to develop and experience a number of critical professional practices. These include venture planning and management, budget ownership and management, fiscal responsibility and professional reporting.
Thank you to our generous donors, the Burton D. Morgan Foundation and Veale Institute for Entrepreneurship, who made the THINK, DO, THRIVE grant programs possible.
Available Grants
Made possible by the Veale Institute for Entrepreneurship, the THINK Grant is for full-time students exploring an idea for a business.
The DO Grant is for full-time students with a prototype, MVP or solid proof of concept with a clear connection to entrepreneurship.
Sponsored by the Burton D. Morgan Foundation, the Morgan Startup Grant is for full-time students, alumni, or faculty of CWRU. Applicants should be operating a revenue generating business or planning to become revenue generating during the funding cycle.
Key Dates
August 1, 2024: Morgan Startup Grant applications open
September 1, 2024: THINK Grant and DO Grant Round 1 applications open
October 24, 2024: Morgan Startup Grant applications close
October 31, 2024: THINK Grant and DO Grant Round 1 applications close
January 1, 2025: THINK Grant and DO Grant Round 2 applications open
February 28, 2025: THINK Grant and DO Grant Round 2 applications close
Please Note: All grants are reviewed on a rolling basis and will close if funds run out prior to their proposed closing date. We are unable to provide advance notice of the fund’s depletion, so we recommend submitting applications promptly.
FAQ
Full-time CWRU undergraduate students (at least 12 credit hours) and full-time CWRU graduate students (at least 9 credit hours or one credit hour of thesis) are eligible for the THINK Grant, DO Grant, and Morgan Startup Grant.
CWRU alumni (up to 7 years after year of graduation) and faculty are also eligible for the Morgan Startup Grant.
Which grant is best suited for you depends on your eligibility and how far into the process of your business or idea you are.
Both the THINK Grant and DO Grant applications will be open twice during the 2024-25 academic year. Round 1 applications open September 1, 2024 at 9 a.m., and close October 31, 2024 at 5 p.m., or until funds run out. The Round 2 applications open January 1, 2025 at 9 a.m., and closes February 28, 2025 at 5 p.m., or until funds run out.
The Morgan Startup Grant application will open on August 1, 2024 at 9 a.m., and close October 24, 2024 at 5 p.m., or when the fund runs out.
Please Note: All grants are reviewed on a rolling basis and will close if funds run out prior to their proposed closing date. We are unable to provide advance notice of the fund’s depletion, so we recommend submitting applications promptly.
Each grant has specific commitments that are required if you are accepted as a grantee. Visit the appropriate grant information page to learn more.
No.
You may not apply to multiple grants for the same project. The goal is for you to think critically about your stage of development and the immediate needs for your business. We will only award one grant per student.
Questions?
If you have any more questions about our THINK, DO, THRIVE grant program, please email CWRU LaunchNET program manager Brittain Elswick at bxe88@case.edu.