Holekamp Seed Fund

Overview

The Holekamp Seed Fund is a seed-stage venture capital firm based in the United States, dedicated to supporting early-stage technology companies. The fund primarily focuses on providing initial capital to student entrepreneurs, offering grants that help defray the initial costs of founding a business. These grants are typically awarded to current Washington University juniors, seniors, or graduate students who have at least 25% ownership of a startup venture. The application process involves submitting a detailed pitch deck and delivering a professional-quality presentation to the fund's directors. In addition to the initial grants, the Holekamp Seed Fund offers follow-on funding to startups that have demonstrated progress and potential for growth. This additional support is intended to help these businesses scale and succeed in the competitive market. The fund's directors, including Cliff Holekamp, co-founder and managing director at Cultivation Capital, and Doug Villhard, director of Olin's entrepreneurship program, play an active role in mentoring and guiding the recipients. Since its inception, the Holekamp Seed Fund has been instrumental in launching numerous startups across various industries, including technology, healthcare, education, e-commerce, food and beverage, fashion, and nutrition. The fund's commitment to nurturing student entrepreneurs has contributed to the growth and success of many early-stage companies, fostering innovation and economic development within the United States.

Investment Focus

• Current Washington University junior or senior undergraduate or graduate student
• US citizen or permanent resident
• 25 percent or higher ownership of a startup venture

Portfolio Companies