Next Wave Fund 2026

About

A funding program designed to support early-stage tech startups with financial backing, expert guidance, and community resources to help them launch and grow their projects successfully. Participants will benefit from a pledge towards their funding goal, mentorship from industry experts, and access to valuable training and networking opportunities.

Benefits

• 💰Financial Support
  $10,000 pledge toward funding goal when project goes live on Kickstarter
• 🎓Mentorship Program
  Hands-on guidance from Kickstarter’s Design & Technology team
• 🌐Network Access
  Access to Kickstarter’s community forum for entrepreneurs
• 📈Business Support
  No-cost access to training from Google experts
• 🎤Exposure Opportunities
  Opportunities for marketing exposure and promotion
• 🚀Growth Opportunities
  Opportunity to apply to join Google Accelerators as business grows

Eligibility Criteria

• Pre-seed or seed stage
• UK-headquartered
• Fewer than 20 full-time employees
• Technology or digital gaming focus
• At least one team member must be a US citizen, resident, or O-1 visa holder
• Primary contact must be at least 18 years old
• Bank account for the project must be located in the United States
• Project must comply with Kickstarter's rules

Participation Commitments

• Projects evaluated based on input from Kickstarter and Google representatives
• Notification of application status within six weeks
• In-person attendance may be required for certain events

Target Region

Global

Target Sector

Technology, Digital Gaming