LaunchLNK Grant
StartupLNK (Lincoln, Nebraska)
$20,000 cash plus $23,000+ in services
$20,000 grant for six Lincoln, NE startups a year, plus $23,000+ in partner services. The 2027 round has closed; join the mailing list for the next opening.
StartupLNK gives six early-stage scalable startups in Lincoln, Nebraska a $20,000 cash grant each year, plus more than $23,000 in partner services and credits, mentor and capital introductions, and a one-year Lincoln Chamber membership. The cash is released as the company meets milestones it sets with the program manager. Applications for the 2027 grant closed on October 16, 2026 (Round 1), and StartupLNK asks founders to join its mailing list to hear when the next round opens. The funder reports 50 to 100 applications per cycle for six awards.
- Funding type
- Grant
- Level
- Private
- Amount
- $20,000
- Realistic amount
- $20,000 cash per recipient, paid against milestones; the services are credits and discounts from partners, not cash.
- Deadline
- The 2027 round closed on October 16, 2026 (Round 1). Dates for the next round are not posted; StartupLNK asks founders to join its mailing list.
- Status
- between-intakes
- States
- NE
Who qualifies
- Based in Lincoln, Nebraska, or able to have a presence in Lincoln during the year of grant participation
- Have a goal and vision for business growth and scalability
- Able to explain the problem the startup is solving, who has it and how significant it is
- Not already awarded a LaunchLNK grant (past applicants may reapply)
What it covers
Eligible expenses
- Growth of the startup (the funder says the $20,000 is to put toward growth); cash is released against milestones agreed with the program manager
Ineligible expenses
- See official program guidance
How to apply
-
1
Join the mailing list and wait for the next opening
Applications for the 2027 grant have closed; StartupLNK emails when the next round opens.
~10 min
-
2
Round 1: profile and first part of the risk assessment
About 45 minutes: basic profile plus questions on your problem and customers. Results about a week later.
~45 min
-
3
Round 2: remaining risk assessment
About 2 to 3 hours covering product, business model, competition and growth.
~2.5 hrs
-
4
Round 3: virtual panel pitch and Q&A
A 30-minute panel; six recipients are announced by year-end.
~2 hrs
Show a clear use of funds that gets you to your next milestone, and be visible in the Lincoln founder community: both are what StartupLNK says makes applicants stand out.
Deadline & timing
The page says "Applications have closed for the 2027 grant." The FAQ still says applications are open and due October 16, 2026, which looks stale. Later rounds (Nov 20 Round 2, December panel) are only for applicants who passed Round 1.
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Required documents
- Round 1 online profile and first part of the risk assessment
- Round 2 remaining risk assessment answers (product, business model, competition, growth)
- Preparation for a 30-minute panel pitch and Q&A
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Last updated November 8, 2026. GrantCompass is an independent funding-discovery tool and is not affiliated with any government agency. Always confirm details on the official program page.