Our step-by-step guide on how to get 50 000€
Rising North is handing out 10 000–50 000 € to projects that support the Nordic startup ecosystem. To get it, you need to apply. Have a look at the funding guidelines to check if your project could be funded. Otherwise, the next deadline is 21st May, time to act! Now, let’s us guide you through our amazing brand new application platform, which you can find from our Apply page. Too much to read? Check out our explainer video below (link here).
Rising North works with startups, VCs, NGOs, universities, events, ecosystem builders, and the public sector. We are looking to fund projects that bring together a minimum of three entities from three different Nordic countries and benefit Nordic startups and grow the influence of the Nordic startup ecosystem globally. So far we’ve funded 36 projects, which you can have a look at on our website.
Our projects go under the categories Talent, Capital, Representation, Visibility, Policy and Go-To-Market. So, whether you’re looking to further advance the startup immigration policy debate, change legislation on stock options or for example just organize an event around an exciting new emerging trend in tech, we’re want to hear from you!
The Application process step-by-step
The application consists of organizational information from the three applicant organizations, project information, specification regarding the budget of the project, and additional supporting materials.
1. The geniuses behind the project
To start off, only one person from the three organizations running the project needs to fill in the application. Just make sure you know the other organizations’ basic details, such as their addresses, business IDs, and know the distinction between their commercial and legal names. Same goes for contact details. Rising North will need a contact person from each applicant organization along with their basic contact details.
In Rising North projects there are always a minimum of three organizations involved in running the project — the main organizer, co-organizer 1 and co-organizer 2. The primary contact person will be the main contact of the main organisation. It is important that you already from the start elaborate on what kind of roles the different organizers will have in the project.
2. Pitch your project
Firstly, we would hope you put some thought into the project name. Try to come up with a name that is short (no more than 3 words), catchy and attention grabbing. The name should be usable for reporting and marketing purposes. If nothing else comes into your mind, feel free to use #NordicMade X, in which X is the vertical the project is focusing on.
Rising North also requires a one-liner for the project — a short, memorable phrase that draws attention to your project’s distinctive attributes. Additionally, be prepared with a short description of the project of approximately one paragraph explaining what your project is about.
Imagine that the application is a investor pitch — after all, the Rising North Steering Board consists of investors and entrepreneurs, so take this as a pro tip. Be as clear as possible on what the problem(s) you are aiming to fix in the Nordic startup ecosystem, how will your project fix this problem and finally why are you and your partners the right ones taking on this rollercoaster ride, do you have the motivation to take on this challenge?
Impact and numbers
We are also very curious to see some numbers, that measures the real impact of you specific problem. So, circle back to your goals, can those be turn into measurable KPIs? For example through social media mentions and engagements, tickets sold, attendee satisfaction surveys , press media coverage and so forth. In addition, how many Nordic startups will be directly affected, for example how many are attending your event and how many Nordic startups are indirectly affected, this could for example be through social media channels, and distribution of potential material related to the project. Also, make sure to be as clear as possible on your execution plan, what will be done when and why is this the most efficient way to do it.
A stronger to Nordic brand trough collaboration
In addition to helping the Nordic startup scene internationalize, Rising North also has the goal to strengthen the Nordic brand outside the region. How does this project accomplish this? Projects to be funded under Rising North have to boost the Nordic region towards a global startup ecosystem.
3. Budget
The grant sum applied from Rising North should derive from the costs and other incomes of the specific project. You will need to fill in the applied sum, the total budget of the project and then elaborate on cost and income estimations.
Rising North requires projects to also have other sources of income in addition to the applied sum from the Rising North fund. The fact that the project is or will be funded by multiple entities demonstrates legitimacy.
4. Supporting materials
In addition to all the above, the application platform allows you to submit any supporting material related to the project. These can be marketing materials, pitch decks, project program descriptions and so forth. Notice that everything other than video should be submitted in as a PDF file. Regarding videos, you will need to upload a link to e.g. Dropbox or Google Drive from which we can download the video(s).
What we are looking to see is that the organizers are dedicated and passionate about the project, the execution is planned and solid, and that there is a need and space for this project in the Nordic startup ecosystem.
Apply to get up to 50 000€
Rising North is three-year project funded by the Nordic Council of Ministers and operated by the Finnish Startup Foundation. Applications sent to the fund are evaluated once a quarter. The next deadline is on May 21st. Projects organized jointly by at least three different Nordic organizations can apply for a grant of up to 50 000€. Previous projects and more information can be found at risingnorth.org.
