Steven Dorfman Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship
Application Guidelines
Applicants must review the Dorfman Incubator Grant Guidelines and Grant Pitch Deck Guidelines prior to submitting an application. These documents outline eligibility, allowable
use of funds, and application requirements.
Dorfman Incubator Grant Guidelines
The Dorfman Incubator Grant Guidelines provide the official terms and conditions for
the program, including eligibility requirements, allowable and prohibited uses of
funds, grant restrictions, reporting expectations, and the educational requirements
associated with the grant.
The Grant Pitch Deck Guidelines explain what to include in the required pitch deck
submission. The deck is similar to an investor pitch deck, but with a specific emphasis
on the use of grant funds and the educational value of the proposed work.
It's tempting to just ask for the max, but your ask should be in line with the your
plans for the grant. We intend to give as many as five grants per year. It is unlikely
that they all will be for the maximum amount.
It cannot be renewed, but you can apply for another grant the next year.
The identities of the evaluators are not disclosed. No Cal Lutheran employee, nor
Mr. Dorfman will have a vote in selecting the grant recipients.
That's between you and your tax professional. We made absolutely no effort to provide
a tax advantage for the funding.
None whatsoever. It is the donor's wish for: 1) the funding to go to early-stage startups
with potential, and 2) creating learning experiences that become more valuable over
time. This is a pure grant. No forgivable loan, no convertible debt.
We expect you to be honest and forthsoming in your assessment of what you learned,
both positive and negative. We would like for all grant recipients to become ambassadors
for the program and mentor future grantees.
You will be assigned a contact from Cal Lutheran for the administration of the grant.
You also will have access to the services provided by Hub101.
While we would love for every startup to find success, we understand that many of
them will fail. Sometimes failure is the best learning experience!