The Fairfax Founders Fund (“FFF”) is a grant and technical assistance that provides promising, early-stage startups in Fairfax County with up to $50,000 in funding to fuel their growth.
Donor Name: Fairfax County
State: Virginia
County: Fairfax County (VA)
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 04/21/2025
Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000
Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned
Details:
The awardees are innovative companies poised to disrupt industries and create new jobs.
Goals of FFF
- Bolster economic development in Fairfax County by growing innovation-based businesses and jobs and preparing young companies for angel and venture capital investment, commercialization grants, and later-stage investment.
- Promote the resources and advantages of Fairfax County by establishing a program that will connect startup businesses with area partnerships and developing competitive technology clusters in the County.
- Foster economic mobility by providing a new source of early-stage capital to Fairfax County businesses with high growth potential and ensuring that these funds are broadly accessible to entrepreneurs of all backgrounds.
Eligibility Requirements
- To be considered for a grant from the Fund, applicants must be for-profit companies that meet the following eligibility requirements:
- Be a legally-existing entity registered and in good standing with Virginia’s State Corporation Commission (“SCC”) to do business in the Commonwealth of Virginia. “In good standing” means the applicant must not be delinquent in any tax or debt payments or otherwise in material breach of any previously-existing agreements with Fairfax County or the Commonwealth of Virginia.
- Have its principal place of business (“PPB”) Fairfax County or one of the Towns of Herndon, Vienna, or Clifton. The applicant’s PPB may be a home office, so long as the home office functions as the PPB.
- Have a valid Business, Professional, and Occupational License (“BPOL”) issued by Fairfax County or one of the Towns of Herndon, Vienna, or Clifton, and be in good standing. “In good standing” means the applicant must not be delinquent in any tax or debt payments or otherwise in material breach of any previously-existing agreements with Fairfax County or the Commonwealth of Virginia.
- Be or intend to become an innovative and/or disruptive product-focused technology enterprise.
- Be able to articulate the potential commercial value of its product.
- Have raised no more than $1,000,000 of startup funding. Startup funding is defined here by investments from “friends and family”, angels, venture capital firms, and other private equity investment since company inception.
- Have received no more than $250,000 gross revenue in the 12 months preceding the date of application.
- Demonstrate a match of 50% of its requested FFF grant amount, to be expended during the grant period of performance. Matching funds may include in-kind contributions, sweat equity, commercial revenue, other grant funding and/or investor funds.
- Fairfax County is seeking to support and invest in the growth of its innovation and technology sector, including with traditionally underrepresented and diverse groups, such as women, people of color, veterans, persons with disabilities, and other underrepresented founders.
For more information, visit Fairfax County.
