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OPEN TO STUDENTS, FACULTY AND ALUMNI OF MIT. 

APPLY TO WIN UP TO $1M FOR YOUR STARTUP OR IDEA.

apply now
Apply by March 15th, 2024
started at mit









WE BELIEVE MANY OF THE STRONGEST SOLUTIONS TO THE WORLD'S GREATEST CHALLENGES
WILL EMERGE OUT OF UNIVERSITIES.

The most transformative ideas across software, hardware, ai, robotics, climate,
biotech, and more are forming inside research labs, MBA programs and
undergraduate dorm rooms.

Yet, funding options remain bleak. Grant programs are broken, slow, cumbersome
and risk-averse. Investors are often gun-shy, unwilling to make a bet on a big
idea before a founder is ready to graduate, drop out or spin-out.

We delight in the messy, the raw science, the moonshot opportunity that’s still
a kernel of an idea.

We’ve backed companies with MIT origins including Algorand, PillPack, Asimov,
Amber, Reclaim Health, Videa Health, Neural Magic, Guardian Agriculture, Tycho,
Acelab and more — is yours next?




IT'S NEVER TO EARLY TO START BUILDING
AROUND A MOONSHOT IDEA.

apply now

who should apply


MOONSHOT IDEA:

ANY IDEA WITH THE POTENTIAL 
TO CHANGE THE WORLD.

At least one member of your Founding Team must be an MIT Undergraduate, Grad
Student, PostDoc, Faculty or alumni. All ideas are open for consideration. 

apply now


All investments are in the form of an uncapped SAFE with no discount (what is
this?)

Apply by March 15th, 2024


WHAT YOU WIN

$1M or $250K for your startup in the form of an uncapped SAFE

Mentorship from industry experts (optional) 

Access to customer introductions (optional)

Business planning support (optional)


TIMELINE

March 15: Deadline to Apply

April 1: Semi-finalists notified

April 2-9th: Semi-finalists meet with Pillar

April 11th: Winners announced

WHY IS PILLAR VC HOSTING A $1M MOONSHOT COMPETITION?

Our goal with this program is to put founders solving the world’s most
challenging problems on the fast-track to success. To move fast and break
things, you need capital; we’re here to provide the financial fuel for big
ideas.

We’re navigating a time of vast global challenges. We believe the solutions to
many of the world’s most complicated problems – a warming climate, a chaotic
geopolitical environment, labor shortages, a healthcare crisis, and more – are
often born in university settings or research labs.

WHAT IS AN UNCAPPED SAFE AND WHAT ARE THE TERMS?

Two SAFES will be awarded — one for $1M and one for $250K. A Simple Agreement
for Future Equity (SAFE) is a legal contract used in startup fundraising to
postpone the determination of a company’s valuation until a future priced equity
round occurs.

In the case of an “uncapped SAFE,” there is no predetermined valuation cap. This
means that when the SAFE converts to equity in a future financing round, the
investor’s conversion price (in this case, Pillar VC’s) is solely based on the
valuation of that round, without any upper limit.

This means that this investment will convert at the price of the first round you
raise.

We are happy to answer any specific questions you have about SAFEs.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO PARTICIPATE?

Any company where at least one member of the Founding Team is an MIT
Undergraduate, Grad Student, PostDoc, Faculty or alumni.

CAN I APPLY IF I AM STILL IN SCHOOL?

VCs often tell founders they need to have graduated before raising money. We
believe it’s never too early to start building. We will happily award the money
to students, graduate students, postdocs and faculty who are still finishing
their degrees or actively working on university research.

IS THERE AN INDUSTRY OF FOCUS?

We welcome all companies / ideas to the competition. Pillar VC is a generalist
fund that invests across the spectrum of software, hardware, AI, robotics,
climate, biotech, and more.

IS MY STARTUP TOO EARLY TO APPLY?

It is never too early — we really enjoy brainstorming with founders early in the
process, and encourage you to apply if you think starting a company or
commercializing your research is the path for you.

DOES MY COMPANY NEED TO BE INCORPORATED?

You do not need to be incorporated to apply. However, you will need to be
incorporated if you win. We are happy to help you navigate this process.

CAN MY STARTUP APPLY IF WE'VE ALREADY RAISED FUNDING?

Yes. Pillar VC is focused on pre-seed and seed stage investments, so this
opportunity is primarily focused on companies at the early stages of building.

HOW DO I APPLY?

Apply via this application form by March 15, 2024.

WHO REVIEWS MY APPLICATION?

Your application will be reviewed by the Pillar VC Investing Team.

WHEN WILL THE WINNER BE ANNOUNCED?

Semi-finalists will be announced on April 1, 2024, two weeks after the
application closes. 

The winner will be announced by April 11th, 2024.

CAN STARTUPS FROM OUTSIDE OF THE US APPLY?

Yes, startups from outside of the US can apply.

IS THERE ANY POST-COMPETITION SUPPORT OR MENTORSHIP FOR THE WINNER?

The winner will receive tailored support from the Pillar VC investing team,
advice and mentorship from a network of thousands of operators, and access to
Pillar’s Founding CEOs.

WHERE CAN I LEARN MORE ABOUT PILLAR VC?

Pillar VC is a seed-stage venture firm co-founded by the CEOs of 22 of Boston’s
strongest companies, including the leaders of Ginkgo Bioworks, Exact Sciences,
Iora Health, Wayfair and DraftKings. Over half our investments have university
origins, including MIT-rooted companies Algorand, PillPack, Asimov, Amber,
Reclaim Health, Videa Health, Neural Magic, Guardian Agriculture, Tycho and
Acelab

You can learn more about our approach, and the way we support founders on our
website.

Still have a question? Email contact@pillar.vc.


FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Have other questions? Email us at moonshot@pillar.vc

apply now



WE’VE BACKED OVER 50
UNIVERSITY STARTUPS INCLUDING:


Learn more about Pillar VC

Which university's moonshot ideas should we back next? contact@pillar.vc