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Community investment

Friends and Family Business Funding

Each month, we award a startup grant of up to $2,500 to an entrepreneur (up to £2,000 for UK grants). So far, we’ve provided over $450,000 in funding to help young underrepresented entrepreneurs get closer to their business dreams.

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Accenture
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PNC
Ebay
CVC
Wells Fargo
Citi
HP
For Your Business

Get Support

Many entrepreneurs get their start by borrowing money from those around them. This kind of “friends and family” support works well for some, but at Sky’s the Limit, we know that plan doesn’t work for everyone. So, if your business needs more of a kickstart than your current circle can offer, we’re here to help broaden your friends and family network by connecting you with our community of donors who are looking to support young entrepreneurs like you!

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how it works

01

BECOME ELIGIBLE

Eligibility is relatively simple, in order to be eligible you must:

  • Be based in the U.S or U.K.
  • Be a full member with a completed profile on Sky’s the Limit.

02

COMPLETE YOUR FUNDING PITCH

To create your Funding Pitch, sign in to your profile and scroll to
the section that says “My Funding Pitch”.

You must fill out all sections of your Funding Pitch, including:

  • A description of how you will use the funds
  • A line-by-line budget not to exceed $2,500, or £2,000 for UK grants
  • A 1-2 minute pitch video which should include the following: 

An Introduction:

Tell us your name, where you are from, and your business name.
Your Elevator Pitch: Give us a short description of your business, who it services, why you started it, and anything compelling or unique about your project.

How Funding will Help:

Explain how funding will further your business goals and take your business to the next step.

Keep it Short and Friendly: Your videos should be between 1-2 minutes long and conversational in nature.

Upload the Video to YouTube. If you don’t want other people to find it, mark it as unlisted. (Please don’t mark it as private or disallow embedding, or we won’t be able to see it.)

Reminder:

If you include music or photos in your video, you will need to obtain the rights to include it.

A pitch cover photo that represents your business or business idea.

03

Get Boosts

Whoever has the most boosts at the end of each month will win a grant
of up to $2,500/£2,000.

You collect boosts from other members.

Members can boost one another 1x a day. We encourage you to meet other members and ask them if they’d like to support your campaign.

 

CHANGES TO THE FRIENDS AND FAMILY GRANT...

Starting November, the top two boosted pitches together with a wildcard chosen by our team will proceed to a Live Pitch round. The three entrepreneurs will present their pitches and the attendees will vote to determine the best pitch.

 

Read more below.

Ready to make a meaningful impact in just 1-2 hours a month?

Start exploring the platform today to learn more about how our digital marketing services can help your business grow and succeed online.

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We are Changing for the Better...

Important Updates for our Monthly Grants Starting November 2024

Starting in November, the Friends and Family Fund Pitch Event of US$2500 is evolving to bring even more excitement, opportunity, and growth to our community! Here’s what’s new:

Live Pitch Event

Live Pitch Experience

The top 2 boosted pitches will automatically advance to the finals, where they’ll compete live for the US$2,500 startup grant. The third finalist will be a Wildcard chosen by our team, giving everyone a fair chance to join the live event, showcase their vision, and receive valuable feedback.

Merit-Based Selection

Merit-Based Selection

The WILDCARD entry will be chosen based on the quality and impact of their pitch, as well as the individual's dedication and commitment to improvement, rather than the number of boosts. This ensures the most compelling and impactful ideas are recognized (even for those in their first pitch round). 



Resources and Support

Resources and Support

To help you prepare for the live event, we’ll provide step-by-step guides, pitch templates, and examples of successful pitches to inspire and support your journey. We'll also be hosting monthly LIVE Pitch Practice events for all members to gain confidence and ideas for how they want to present their pitch. 




We’re excited to make this transition and believe it will empower entrepreneurs to shine even brighter. Until then, the current boost-based system will continue throughout October, so make the most of it! Keep an eye out for more details and get ready to take your pitch to the next level!

Frequently Asked Questions (F&F Grant Round from November 2024)

Event

What is the Friends and Family Fund Pitch Event?
A: It’s a live event where entrepreneurs pitch their business ideas for a chance to win a $2,500 startup grant. Instead of just collecting "boosts" online, the focus is on pitching skills, business potential, and creativity.

When is the event?
A: The live pitch event will happen every 2nd Thursday of the following month. The top 3 participants will be notified at the beginning of the month.

How are the top 3 selected?
A: The top 2 boosted pitches will automatically go to the Pitch Event. The third finalist will be picked by the Sky’s the Limit team as a “Wildcard”.

Will there be help to prepare for the pitch?
A: Yes! You’ll get resources like guides for making a great pitch video, templates to organize your budget, and examples of successful pitches to help you get ready. There is also a Pitch Practice event that will be held on a monthly basis to help you get helpful feedback to perfect your pitch.

How is the winner chosen?
A: During the live event, votes will be collected through MentiMeter, and we’ll announce the winner live!

What do the winners get?
A: The first-place winner gets $2,500 and a LinkedIn badge. The second and third places each receive a $100 Visa gift card.

Who can watch and join the Pitch Event?
A: The Pitch Event will be attended by the finalists and the Sky’s the Limit staff. The finalists can also invite their family and friends to show support in the event.

Participation & Rules

How can I join the pitch event?
A: Just submit a Pitch that includes how you’ll use the grant, a video, and your budget. If you’re selected, you’ll get notified at the beginning of the following month. For example, if you entered in the November Pitch Round and are successful, you'll be notified at the beginning of December (to pitch live on the second Thursday of December).

What if I can’t make it to the live event?
A: If you can’t confirm your spot within 48 hours or don’t show up on the day, you’ll miss the chance for that month. You will then have to re-enter for the next month (no boosts will be carried over).

Will I get any help with my pitch?
A: Absolutely! You’ll receive tips, templates, and examples to help you build a standout pitch that will grab attention.

Transition

Why switch to a live pitch event?
A: The live format gives you more exposure, lets the best idea win, helps you improve your pitching skills, and creates excitement in the community where everyone can learn and grow together.

Are there any downsides to the new format?
A: It could be harder for those uncomfortable with public speaking. Also, it takes more time and effort to organize, and some participants might have scheduling conflicts.

Communication & Notifications

How will I find out about the pitch event?
A: You’ll get updates through messages on Intercom, emails from Sky's the Limit, and push notifications on your phone if you've downloaded the app. We’ll make sure you get helpful reminders leading up to the event.

When will I know if I made the top 3?
A: The top 3 finalists will be announced on the 1st week of the following month, and you’ll get all the details you need for the live event.