Quick Facts
| Type | Non-dilutive microgrant ($1,000) |
| Eligibility | Young builders, high school and university students preferred |
| Process | Rolling applications |
| Contact | danielle@1517fund.com |
Mission
We support dropouts, heretics & scientists working on hard problems. Our grants help young builders find a path to escape captivity & build with meaning, funding bold leaps into uncharted territory and sci-fi-level projects.
What We Fund
- Zero-to-one ideas
- Technical innovations
- Bold experiments
- Projects showing clear ability to ship
- Both individual and team projects
- Any field or domain
Application Guide
Required Questions
1. Which best describes you? (Required)
- I’m a high school, college, or drop-out maker or founder
- I am a deep tech scientist/founder
- I’d like to have 1517 participate in our event
2. What are you working on? (Required)
- Describe your project and its current state
- Include links to demos, prototypes, or documentation
- Highlight what makes your approach unique
3. Supporting MaterialsShare links to:
- Loom videos
- Project websites
- Pitch decks
- Other documentation
4. Tell us something interesting (Required)Share a fun fact about yourself or unique perspective that shows you’re a “social geek” or “creative weirdo” who thinks outside the box.
5. Goals for Discussion (Required)What do you hope to gain from speaking with our team?
6. Discovery (Required)How did you hear about 1517 Fund?
Success Stories & Community
Join LFG to connect with recipients like:
- Advait Paliwal, working on cognitive architecture for LLMs
- Kai Goodall, building a rocket-propelled skateboard
- Gavin Yuan, creating a propane and electric melting furnace
Grantee Reviews
Resources
- Program FAQ
- Discord community (post-grant)
- Regular pop-up events
Interview Preparation
Watch these to understand our perspective:
- Danielle Strachman on Thiel Fellowship & 1517
- Funding Curious Dropouts
- How 1517 Fund Supports Young Makers
Additional Context
A great example is Pareto, which raised $4.5M two years after receiving our grant. We encourage “creatively scrappy” use of resources and look for founders who can demonstrate clear execution ability.