Funding, Coaching and Mentoring for Game-Changing Product Entrepreneurs
Accepted participants receive $50K in initial funding and access to follow-on funding
NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS
HOW START 100 WORKS
START100 is part angel fund, part accelerator, and part start-up coach for potential high-growth product entrepreneurs that are great fits for crowdfunding. We invest in product entrepreneurs, help them execute a successful rewards crowdfunding campaign, and build a foundation for long-term success.

$50K INITIAL INVESTMENT

1-WEEK BOOTCAMP
Charlotte, NC

CROWDFUNDING CAMPAIGN

FOLLOW-ON INVESTMENT FOR TOP PERFORMERS
START 100 MEMBERS RECEIVE

WHO SHOULD APPLY
In general, we invest in teams of passionate entrepreneurs with mass-appeal products who are great problem solvers, know how to execute, are engaging communicators, and are willing to hustle. More specifically, we look for…
CROWDFUNDING FIT
- Refined working prototype
- Easily displayed in photos
- Widespread use and mass-appeal
- Established following/fan base
CAROLINA PRESENCE
- Attend Charlotte Bootcamp
- Maintain presence in Charlotte
- Support Charlotte-metro startups
PASSIONATE FOUNDERS
- Solid core team (no solopreneurs)
- Passionate about creating products
- Committed & coachable
- Willingness to hustle
SOUND INVESTMENTS
- High growth potential
- Profitable business model
- Visible pathway to exit
CHASING YOUR DREAM WITH START100 IS EASY

REVIEW WHO SHOULD APPLY INFORMATION CAREFULLY TO SEE IF YOU QUALIFY
Why
Crowdfunding?
Crowdfunding offers a combination of market validation and built-in audience base that no other form of funding can. Through our partner’s database of 100K+ backers and the hundreds of thousands more that use Kickstarter and Indiegogo, START100 companies will have access to early adopters who understand crowdfunding and are on the lookout for new products.
A successful Kickstarter or Indiegogo campaign is the perfect way to show future investors that there is a legitimate market for a new product or service and build up a customer base.
MEET THE START100 TEAM

TOM RYAN
General Partner
Tom is an experienced startup founder, investment professional, and distinguished coach and mentor to entrepreneurs worldwide. Tom was the Executive Director of the Kauffman Foundation Entrepreneur-in-Residence program for WNC, one of only four Entrepreneur-in-Residence programs selected by the Kauffman Foundation nationwide. There, he delivered one-on-one advisory services to over 50 regional high-growth startups and created the successful high-energy pitch-event, Talent Jam. Previously, Tom was Vice President of private equity firm, Auster Capital Partners, and an advisor to GreenStart, a San Francisco clean-tech fund and accelerator. He’s been a founder of several startups and the host of The Success In Business Podcast. In addition to START100, Tom is currently an Entrepreneur-In-Residence at Catawba Valley Community College and the founder of entrepreneurial support resource connectivity platform, supportedly.com.

Matt Lindberg
Founder and Managing Partner, Plumb Line Capital Partners

TED KAVANA
President & CEO of Creative Comfort Corp

BRANDON LOWERY
President and CEO of Converge Communications

JEFF LECK
Co-Founder & Special Advisor, KLH Capital

TODD NEWNAM
Chairman and CEO of Encore Technology Group

BOB FOTSCH
CEO of Wellman Plastics Recycling

MARCOS RODRIGUEZ
Entrepreneur-in-Residence, Angel Investor

LOUIS FOREMAN
CEO, Enventys Partners

CHRIS FINK
President of RetailGrowth

CHRIS BENNETT
Founder & CEO of Entrepreneur’s Growth Network, LLC
START100 ADVISORY BOARD

CHRIS BUEHLER

GEORGE GLACKIN

MATT DUERSTOCK
