The Next Wave Fund is a joint initiative between Kickstarter and Google designed to support early-stage technology startups and small businesses developing innovative products in hardware, software, gaming, and connected technologies. The programme provides financial backing, expert mentorship, and promotional support to help entrepreneurs successfully launch and scale their ideas. Programme Overview The Next Wave Fund is focused on empowering entrepreneurs building bold, technology-driven solutions. It supports projects that combine innovation with practical application, particularly in: Hardware development Software products Digital gaming Connected and smart technologies New materials and innovative product design The initiative aims to help creators move from concept to launch while building sustainable businesses with strong market potential. Support Package Selected participants receive a comprehensive support package combining funding, training, mentorship, and visibility. Financial Support $10,000 pledge toward the project’s crowdfunding goal on Kickstarter Strategic and Technical Support Hands-on guidance from Kickstarter’s Design & Technology team Support with campaign planning, positioning, and launch strategy Assistance with audience engagement and community building Training and Learning Resources Free access to training programmes developed by Google Includes the Google AI Professional Certificate Workshops delivered through Grow with Google coaches Entrepreneurship and scaling-focused learning modules Community and Networking Access to Kickstarter’s entrepreneur community forum Opportunities to connect with other founders in tech and design Peer learning and collaboration across industries Marketing and Visibility Promotion through Kickstarter’s email newsletters and social media channels Increased exposure for selected crowdfunding campaigns Visibility support during key stages of campaign execution Growth Opportunities Potential eligibility to apply for Google Accelerator programmes as the business scales Access to long-term ecosystem support for high-growth startups Eligibility Criteria To qualify for the Next Wave Fund, applicants must meet specific requirements: Business Requirements Must be an entrepreneur or small business with fewer than 20 full-time employees Project must focus on technology or digital gaming Product must include innovation in: Hardware or software New materials Functional or technical innovation Location and Legal Requirements At least one team member must be: A U.S. citizen, OR A U.S. resident, OR An O-1 visa holder Project bank account must be based in the United States Additional Requirements Primary applicant must be at least 18 years old Project must comply with all Kickstarter platform rules Applicants must intend to run a Kickstarter crowdfunding campaign Application and Review Process Applications are evaluated jointly by teams from Kickstarter and Google. Evaluation Criteria Projects are assessed based on: Innovation and originality Market potential Feasibility of execution Alignment with technology and gaming focus areas Timeline Applicants receive results within approximately six weeks after submission Selected projects are onboarded into the programme before campaign launch Programme Participation Expectations Successful applicants are expected to: Launch a Kickstarter crowdfunding campaign Actively engage with mentorship and training programmes Apply strategic feedback to improve campaign outcomes Participate in community and promotional opportunities Webinar and Learning Opportunities To support applicants, Kickstarter offers a webinar hosted by its Design & Technology team. The session covers: Best practices for running successful crowdfunding campaigns Campaign design and storytelling strategies Practical guidance for first-time and experienced creators Participants can attend live or receive a recorded version after registration. Additional Resources Participants and applicants can access several learning and support tools, including: Creator Resources Hub – guides for campaign planning and marketing Kickstarter Partners Directory – access to service providers for manufacturing, strategy, and fulfilment Learning Lab – expert-led video content on fundraising and campaign strategy These resources are designed to strengthen campaign quality and improve funding success rates. Programme Impact The Next Wave Fund aims to strengthen early-stage innovation ecosystems by providing: Financial support for product development and launch Structured mentorship from industry experts Increased visibility for emerging tech founders Access to global innovation networks By combining funding with education and exposure, the programme helps bridge the gap between early-stage ideas and scalable businesses. Why This Programme Matters The initiative plays a key role in supporting innovation by enabling small teams to bring technology products to market. It is particularly focused on helping founders overcome common early-stage barriers such as: Limited access to capital Lack of technical or business mentorship Difficulty reaching early customers Challenges in launching successful crowdfunding campaigns VISIT OFFICIAL WEBSITE TO APPLY For more opportunities such as these please follow us on Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, Twitter, LinkedIn and WPChannel Disclaimer: Global South Opportunities (GSO) is not the organization offering this opportunity. For any inquiries, please contact the official organization directly. Please do not send your applications & CVs to GSO, as we are unable to process them. Due to the high volume of emails, we receive daily, we may not be able to respond to all inquiries. Thank you for your understanding.