Emergent Ventures

Quick Facts

• ·Type: Non-dilutive grant ($1,000-$50,000)
• ·Eligibility: 13+ years old, global applications welcome
• ·Process: Rolling applications
• ·Contact: emergentventures@mercatus.gmu.edu

Mission

Emergent Ventures funds high-reward moonshots that advance prosperity, opportunity, liberty, and well-being. They welcome the unusual and unorthodox. Their goal is positive social change, though they encourage profit-generating projects if they create impact.

What Emergent Ventures Funds

• ·Fellowships at Mercatus Center (Northern Virginia)
• ·One-time or staggered payment grants
• ·Both small and large initiatives that could change life trajectories
• ·Global projects, both profit and non-profit

Application Guide

Key Application Questions & Prompts

1. 01Personal Story
   • —Question: "Tell us your personal story, and how it relates to what you wish to do."
   • —Focus on your narrative and project connection
   • —Formal credentials matter less than authentic experience
   • —Keep brief but compelling
2. 02Consensus View
   • —Question: "What is one mainstream or 'consensus' view that you absolutely agree with?"
   • —This intentionally reverses typical contrarian approaches
   • —Be thoughtful and genuine
3. 03Project Proposal (1,500 words max)
   • —Tweet-length project summary
   • —Problem statement: "What's the problem you intend to solve?"
   • —Your solution approach
   • —Novel aspects: "What is new or unusual in your vision and understanding?"
   • —Basic budget outline
   • —Implementation plan
   • —Expected impact

Application Process

1. 01Submit through website form
2. 02Guaranteed response within 2-3 weeks. Recommend following up on twitter if you don’t get a response within 2-3 weeks.
3. 03If selected: 10-15 minute interview
4. 04Decision made often during interview or a couple of days after via email

Tips from Grant Recipients

"Make sure you have a solid understanding of:

• ·What you're building
• ·Why you're building it
• ·What you'll spend the funds on"

Example Recipients

Featured Projects

1. 01Onkar Singh - Open-source satellite platforms

LinkedIn

1. 01Sohi Patel - Wearable healthcare technology

LinkedIn, Podcast (Grant discussion starts at 32:15)

1. 01Sam McCay - Access management systems

LinkedIn

Sample Applications

1. 01UltraRice - 18yo community builder

Background: Biotech, Non-GMO food modification

View Application

1. 01Samstack - 25yo writer from London

Focus: Social science, Effective Altruism, forecasting

View Application

1. 01Economics Writer - 18yo from Singapore

Focus: Economics and history content

View Application

Interview Preparation

Recommended Research

Study these materials to understand the interviewers' perspectives:

• ·Emergent Ventures Q&A
• ·Tyler Cowen On Talent
• ·Tyler Cowen & Shruti Rajagopalan: Geopolitics of talent
• ·Shruti Rajagopalan on the Past, Present, and Future of the Indian Economy
• ·Tyler Cowen is the best curator of talent in the world
• ·Tyler Cowen: Economic Growth & the Fight Against Conformity & Mediocrity

Additional Resources

• ·Andrew Nijmeh's Experience

Apple Podcasts (Grant discussion starts at 16:20)

• ·Ari's Experience

Full Video

Post-Award Information

• ·Simple one-page contract
• ·Payment within 30 days
• ·Annual progress update required
• ·Flexible spending guidelines
• ·International wire transfers available
• ·Tax documentation required (W-9 for US recipients)