<aside> 🔗 Apply Now: Click Here. Prior to applying, we recommend reading through the application questions below (section 2).

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<aside> 🚨 DEADLINE: Monday, March 17, 2025 at 4:00PM EST Deadline Extended to Friday March 21st at 12PM (Noon)

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[1/5] About The Stage 2 Development Award - $8,000

This award supports students who have completed formal market research, which substantiates that there is market demand for their product or service and now requires further funds to develop a business plan, minimum viable product, alpha prototype, beta prototype and/or gamma prototype.

The stage 2 award is evaluated based on:

• Having a valid user need addressed
• Having a unique competitive advantage
• Showcasing a feasible solution

High-Level Application Advice

• Understand your customer - the key to getting funding is ensuring you have a good understanding of the customer and that you are building something they will love.
• Less is more - just because there is a word limit, you don’t need to use it all up. We value the conciseness and quality of your thoughts - not how many words you put down.
• Reach out for help - if you are looking for advice on your Esch Application, reach out to [email protected] and we can help answer any questions you may have.

[2/5] Application Preview

All questions found in the application form can be found in this document. We highly recommend answering all the preview questions in a separate document and pasting them into the application form once you’ve answered all the questions.

Esch Application Questions - Stage 2