FAQ

We generally only fund startups that are part of our Accelerator program. But, we can refer you to one of our partners after you tell us a bit about yourself.

Need incubation, innovation, shared services? Anyone can apply.

Accelerator: Usually we invite people to participate in a competition focused around solving a problem, then winners get invited into The i4 Center accelerator program. So, make sure you sign up for our Updates so we can invite you to brainstorm solutions.

That said, if you have an idea or product you think is a game changer, apply online.

We invest a set amount for businesses going through our Accelerator program in exchange for 7% of equity. The amount depends on the country and type of business.

We also do large scale funding in conjunction with other funding partners.

No, we will guide you through a structured planning process without slaving over a business plan. If you have a demo… that’s another matter! We’d love you to come in for some “show and tell.”

No, we don’t sign anyone’s NDA. And, we’re chasing enough to not have time to steal yours. This is industry standard stuff.

We sure will, and we will encourage them to collaborate! In fact, we pull together clusters of companies with complementary solutions with the intent of solving bigger problems, which grows the pie for everyone.

If you’ve already scaled successfully from a fledgling business to an industry giant, you don’t need us. If you have some products, customers and market traction but have not ramped up to the big leagues, we should talk.

And if you have no product but a great idea (and a friend who is a wicked programmer with a cousin who sells ice to Eskimos), then let us know you want to be on our Accelerator track.

Go ahead. Money may not be your obstacle, but there are other types of capital we can provide.

We’ll still consider you, since the 3-month program refers to the Accelerator. Other entities may be a good fit for the incubation and innovation elements of The i4 Center.

It depends.

Accelerator program.. the short answer is “No!” The magic happens in person, surrounded by others. You have to find an i4 Center near you, move there, and participate fully.

Incubation and/or Innovation program: you don’t have to move in with us, but you do have to attend meetings a few times a week.

Half (maybe more) of the startups we fund don’t need the money. And in fact the money is a only a small part of what The i4 Center does. The money we invest works more like financial aid in college: it ensures that the people who do need money can cover their living expenses while The i4 Center is happening.

We’ll still fund you, but instead of trying to build something launchable in three months, the goal becomes to build an impressive proof of concept to take to later stage investors to raise more money.

No, we’ve funded lots of hardware startups too, as well as startups that only involve nominal amounts of software. We’ll consider startups in any field.

Yes, but the odds of being accepted are lower. A startup is too much work for one person.

We’ll consider funding you, but your chances are about ten times better if you find yourself a technical cofounder.

It’s much better if you find one yourself through friends of friends than if we introduce you to someone.

Teams thrown together for the purpose of starting a startup usually fall apart under stress. You need some kind of personal connection.

Simply fill out this expression of interest form and we’ll get back to you.