There's a pure joy that comes from watching something grow. That innate sense that you've made a real difference having given it time, care, and just the right conditions to thrive in. Even the most ornamental of Bunnings indoor plants can give a feeling of satisfaction when it eventually outgrows its white, ribbed, medium-sized pot.
Through Protostars, the Follow-On-Fund and Believers, we so often get to witness that same feeling, just on a slightly bigger scale. The progress and elation that comes from giving someone the right tools to unleash their creativity is a true privilege.
The most recent Follow-On-Fund cohort was our most competitive to date. Requested funding was up 138.6% from last year and because of this, we decided to increase the pool slightly to accommodate these wonderfully audacious projects. Each one building on the passion projects seeded during our Protostars program.
We’re excited to announce that this round of Follow-On-Funding brings together Jack Zimmerman, Claudia Long, Chloe McCormick and Smriti Bangera.
What we love most is that these grantees are working across four different fields but each pulling on the same thread: by building something bigger than yourself you gather a community that grows alongside you.
The first time we came across these four wild hearts, we believed in a passion project that brought them joy and set their creativity loose. Now we get to wait and see where they're headed next. How exciting!
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