Semantic Seed was established in 2008, when two investment firms — Urban Technology Ventures and Breakthrough Venture Partners — recognized a lack of support and funding available to first-time entrepreneurs.

Often funding from angel investors and venture capitalists is reserved for seasoned entrepreneurs, not new ones. Semantic Seed's grants fill that void by offering opportunity to hard-working, innovative people with great ideas—even if they're just starting out.

Our 3-month acceleration program and 56-hour StartUp Camp provide the structure and knowledge desperately needed by new entrepreneurs to jump start a high-tech startup.

Semantic Seed provides its grants and programs with the help of sponsors, partners and a team of mentors. Our mentors have extensive hands-on experience starting and operating successful businesses and make themselves available to both grant recipients and program participants.

Even though we're based in San Jose, California, Semantic Seed offers grants to startups around the world, and conducts StartUp Camps in San Francisco, Los Angeles, New York City, Mumbai, Berlin, Jordan and Vancouver.