Opportunities · CEL

Opportunities

Accelerators, grants, competitions, and the credits and tools that stretch a small budget — curated from across the startup world and refreshed as deadlines move, so what you see here is open now.

Opportunities

Funding, programs and tools

Competitions

Horizons Challenge (NASA Focus Areas)

Deadline: 2026-12-19
Grants

MIT Solve 2027 Global Challenges (Climate + Learning Tracks)

MIT Solve · Global / virtual (MIT-affiliated, Cambridge, MA)

Global open call for tech-based solutions to major social and economic problems, with 2027 Global Climate Challenge and Global Learning Challenge tracks currently open. Selected ‘Solvers’ receive an average of $40,000 in equity-free funding plus access to $1M+ in additional prize funding (e.g., AI for Humanity Prize $150K, Seeding the Future Prize $150K), a 9-month support program, and MIT community access. No fee; no equity taken.

Deadline: 2026-11-02
Accelerators

SMU Cox FinTech Accelerator (powered by MassChallenge)

MassChallenge + SMU Cox School of Business · Hybrid — virtual + in-person intensives in Dallas, TX

New 16-week hybrid fintech accelerator for early-stage fintech startups (pre-seed to seed), combining virtual programming with three in-person intensives in Dallas (kickoff Feb 2027, midpoint Apr 2027, finale/showcase June 2027). Free program; MassChallenge takes no equity. 3 seats/year reserved for SMU-affiliated ventures, otherwise open to founders worldwide.

Deadline: 2026-11-19
Grants

FL FAST — Florida High Tech Corridor SBIR/STTR Support Program

Florida High Tech Corridor Council · Florida (statewide)

Florida’s SBA-designated SBIR/STTR support program, offering free proposal assistance for Florida small businesses pursuing federal SBIR/STTR R&D funding (Phase I up to $400K, Phase II $750K-$1.8M). Includes the Matching Grants Research Program (MGRP), providing up to $150,000 in state co-investment for SBIR/STTR winners who partner with a Florida university researcher. Non-dilutive; no fee.

Rolling applications
Accelerators

SMU Cox FinTech Accelerator (MassChallenge)

MassChallenge x SMU Cox School of Business · Dallas, TX (hybrid; 3 mandatory in-person sessions)

Inaugural cohort of a new 4-month fintech accelerator from MassChallenge and SMU Cox, hybrid format with in-person sessions in Dallas (Feb, Apr, June 2027). No cost to participate, no equity taken. At least 3 seats/year reserved for SMU-affiliated ventures but open to the general public/any school worldwide. Founders cover their own travel.

Deadline: 2026-11-19
Competitions

GSV Cup 2027

ASU+GSV Summit · Global, open to US-based startups

Nomination-based recognition program for pre-seed/seed EdTech, digital-learning, and workforce-skills startups. No cash prize; selected companies receive complimentary ASU+GSV Summit access, investor/demo visibility, and network access (alumni have collectively raised $4.3B). Open to the general public/any founder, including students — not restricted to one school.

Deadline: 2026-12-01
Competitions

Hult Prize 2026-27 Campus Program

Hult Prize Foundation · Global (campus-based; open to US students/campuses)

Global student social-entrepreneurship competition running campus and regional heats into a Global Accelerator and Global Finals for a $1,000,000 non-dilutive prize. No application fee. Full-year commitment (roughly Sept-Sept) for teams that advance beyond their campus round.

Rolling applications
Grants

FL FAST (SBIR/STTR Support) + Matching Grants Research Program (MGRP)

Florida High Tech Corridor Council (UCF/USF/UF partnership) · 23-county Central Florida 'High Tech Corridor' region (Orlando/Tampa/Gainesville)

Free SBIR/STTR proposal coaching plus MGRP co-investment matching of up to $150,000 for companies with an active SBIR/STTR award that partner with a Corridor-region university researcher (UCF, USF, or UF). Rolling, no stated deadline. Regional (23 counties, 3 partner universities) rather than statewide, but open beyond any single campus.

Rolling applications
Competitions

Tools Competition 2027

The Learning Agency / Renaissance Philanthropy · Global / virtual

Annual prize competition funding the development of learning and education technology tools, with more than $4.5M in total awards and individual prizes ranging from $50,000 to $300,000 across tiers. Phase I abstracts are due October 13, 2026, with full proposals due January 21, 2027 and live pitches in April 2027. Open globally to applicants from any school or institution, including student teams. No entry fee.

Deadline: 2026-10-13