Zell Lurie Institute, University of Michigan

Student Startup Grants Program

The Zell Lurie Student Startup Grants program, composed of the Mayleben Venture Shaping grants and the Eugene Applebaum Dare to Dream grant program, moves University of Michigan students through the business creation process by offering startup workshops and awarding $500-$5,000 in grants to individuals and/or student teams.

Applebaum Dare to Dream University of Michigan Ross Zell Lurie Institute

The program requires students to submit deliverables as they are guided through the business development path from a nascent idea to formulating and assessing potential businesses to planning and launching these businesses.

The grants program has three phases and students may enter their business into the program at any phase. Once entered the business cannot re-apply for the same phase or a phase before it.

Application Deadlines

Applications for upcoming programs will be accepted in September 2024 and January 2025.

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Info Session

Join us for an information session on Monday, September 9, at 5:00 p.m. at Ross.

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Contact [email protected] with any questions. 

Mayleben Venture Shaping Grants - Phase I

The Mayleben Venture Shaping (Phase I) grant program takes University of Michigan students through the process of constructing a viable business out of a business idea – a differentiated, sustainable venture that holds commercial promise and that can be launched.

Once the business construct is completed, teams may apply for a Dare to Dream Assessment grant to evaluate the feasibility of their business.

Application

Applications are accepted in September 2024 and January 2025. The application can be accessed here through Canvas.

Please contact [email protected] with any questions.

Award and Deliverable Details

Awardees are required to attend office hours and workshops (Developing Your Business Model Canvas, Conducting Effective Customer Discovery, and Relating Your Business Model to the Industry’s Value Chain) and will receive up to $500 once the deliverable (a Business Construct) is completed and approved.

The process will help to generate a business construct that states what the final product is, who the customers are, and where the venture fits within the value system. The deliverable from Phase I can be submitted to apply to Phase II.

Open to University of Michigan (Ann Arbor campus) students only. 

Eugene Applebaum Dare to Dream Assessment Grants - Phase II

The Eugene Applebaum Dare to Dream Assessment (Phase II) grants are for student teams with a proposed business that is selling a unique product or service with a clear market need.

During the assessment process, teams will establish the feasibility of their business in order to gauge whether or not to invest further resources and commit to launching the venture. Once this is established, an Integration grant encourages the creation of a full business plan.

Application

Applications are accepted in September 2024 and January 2025. The application for Phase II can be accessed here on Canvas. It is highly recommended that students complete the Phase I deliverable prior to applying to Phase II.

Please contact [email protected] with any questions.

Award and Deliverable Details

Awardees are required to attend office hours and three workshops (Identifying & Sizing Your Market, Assessing Financial Feasibility, and Startup Financials) and will receive up to $1,500 once the deliverable (a Feasibility Study) is completed and approved.

This will evaluate the market, the financial concerns of the industry, and specific team issues. The feasibility study can be submitted to apply for the Eugene Applebaum Dare to Dream Integration grant.

Open to University of Michigan (Ann Arbor campus) students only.

Eugene Applebaum Dare to Dream Integration Grants - Phase III

During the Integration (Phase III) grant process University of Michigan student teams will write a business plan and create an investor pitch deck.

Application

Applications are accepted in September 2024 and January 2025. The application for Phase III can be accessed here on Canvas. It is highly recommended that students complete the Phase II deliverable prior to applying to Phase III.

Please contact [email protected] with any questions.

Award and Deliverable Details

Awardees are required to attend office hours and three workshops (Startup Financials, Startup Funding for First Time Entrepreneurs, and Communicating with Investors) and write a complete 10-page business plan and create an investor pitch deck. Grants of $5,000 are provided upon approval of deliverables.

Open to University of Michigan (Ann Arbor campus) students only.

The Applebaum Family

The Eugene Applebaum Dare to Dream Grant Program is supported by the late Eugene Applebaum and  Applebaum Family Philanthropy. Eugene Applebaum was the founder of drug store chain, Arbor Drugs,  Inc. which he grew to 208 stores before selling to CVS in 1998. Mr. Applebaum also served as President of Arbor Investments Group.

Zell Lurie Institute Student Startup Grants

Mayleben Venture Shaping Grants

Support for the Mayleben Family Venture Shaping Grants is provided by Tim Mayleben, CEO and president of Aastrom Biosciences, and his wife Dawn Evans. The Mayleben Family believes in the power of action-based learning and entrepreneurial education.

Upcoming Workshops

No upcoming events.

FAQs

1. Are there any requirements for the team structure?

You need a current University of Michigan (Ann Arbor) student on the team to apply for any phase. Diverse teams are more favorably reviewed.

2. Can I be on more than one team and/or apply with more than one idea?

You can, but it is highly discouraged. It instills doubt about commitment, focus, and motivation.

3. Can I apply to more than one phase with the same idea?

No. You must start with one phase. You can apply for the next phase during the next cycle.

4. What kind of businesses are selected?

We prefer applications that show innovation, high-growth potential, and committed teams. We discourage restaurants, real estate flippers, and apps.

5. What is the benefit of applying for Mayleben Venture Shaping (Phase I) instead of Eugene Applebaum Dare to Dream Assessment (Phase II)?

Do you know that you have a viable business construct (that you have validated through conversations with users AND customers)? If not, why not get paid to do this?

6. What if the Feasibility Study shows the idea is NOT feasible?

Your team will still receive the grant money as long as the study is completed properly.

For more information, please visit our Dare to Dream Canvas Page or contact [email protected].

Questions?