Seed funding has been challenging to track down, but maybe that's changing. Here's a list of programs designed not only to seed early growth, but provide expertise and inspiration to get you there.

The KTEC PIPELINE is an innovative new program, designed to identify talented and entrepreneurial Kansans, match them with best-in-class training, resources and mentors and encourage them to pursue a career as a technology entrepreneur in Kansas.

Kansas is the only state today that is systematically identifying their top technology talent and connecting them to become future leaders. The KTEC PIPELINE adds to KTEC's comprehensive technology program by ensuring the most important component to any successful economy - cadre of innovators that will lead the Kansas economy for generations to come

Deadline: Sept 10, 2008 Apply

Get up to $15,000 in seed funding for your new company, plus the chance to pitch to angel investors and venture capitalists at the end of the summer.

Only ten spots. TechStars takes only ten companies each summer. Last year more than 300 companies applied. Getting in is hard, and it means something special.
Seed funding. TechStars fills the startup funding gap by providing just enough capital to get your idea off the ground. Your new company receives up to $15,000 in seed funding.
Advice and Mentoring. TechStars fills the experience gap by bringing together the best and the brightest in one place and surrounding you with incredible proven mentors for the summer. With this much talent in one place you’ll get great advice on your product and strategy, thereby ensuring the best possible start for your new business.
Connections. TechStars companies get immeasurable benefits that come from introductions and connections to potential partners and customers. At the end of the summer, each company also has the opportunity to pitch during an investor event that we organize.
A great deal and a great co-founder. In exchange for the TechStars summer program, seed funding, advice, mentorship, connections, and investor demo day, TechStars receives a 5% equity stake in your new company. TechStars receives “founders stock” which is just like yours. We want to be thought of as an experienced and well connected co-founder so we have the same risk and reward system that you do. Learn more.

Deadline: March 31, 2008 Apply here

LaunchBox Digital, an early stage investment firm located in Washington, D.C., is focused on helping entrepreneurs get through those challenging early days by bringing capital, advice, and practical guidance to help early stage businesses succeed. We offer:

• Funding and administrative support to enable founders to focus their energy on developing a great product;
• Mentoring and advice from seasoned technology veterans who have created significant stakeholder value; and
• Access to strategic partners, angels, VCs and the press to take your business to a whole new level

LaunchBox Digital is a place for cutting-edge ideas and cutting-edge talent. It's a way to maximize your chances of success. We've structured LaunchBox Digital so that we win only if you win.

Deadline: March 14, 2008 Apply

Y Combinator does seed funding for startups. Seed funding is the earliest stage of venture funding. It pays your expenses while you're getting started.

Some companies may need no more than seed funding. Others will go through several rounds. There is no right answer; how much funding you need depends on the kind of company you start.

At Y Combinator, our goal is to get you through the first phase. This usually means: get you to the point where you've built something impressive enough to raise money on a larger scale. Then we introduce you to later stage investors—and in some cases even acquirers.

Deadline: April 2, 2008 Apply

Are you a hacker who has thought about one day starting a startup? Have you already started it? Then you're invited to a free, one-day startup school this April 19 at Stanford

Deadline: March 23, 2008 Apply

UPDATE: Found a Few more.

Startup Weekend is a intense 54 hour event bringing together brilliant tech minds (developers, designers, marketers, ect.) together to create a company from concept to launch! You can read more about what the event is here.

Next Events;

• Boulder II (March 21-23)
• Portland (May 23-25)
• Ann Arbor (June 20-22)

More of a competition, but notable! $50K in cash and $50K in Amazon Web Services, a potential investment offer from Amazon and participating VC's.

First Round Capital is a venture capital firm dedicated to helping
talented entrepreneurs build remarkable companies. We are not
afraid of investing in pre-revenue companies - and often provide
a company's first outside capital. As former entrepreneurs,
we understand the challenges of launching a new enterprise.
We look to take an active role in most of the companies we invest
in. We believe our insight and expertise are far more valuable
than our capital -- and we look for entrepreneurs who feel the
same.

First Round Capital invests nationally and has offices in Philadelphia, New York City and San Francisco.

Y Combinator does seed funding for startups. Seed funding is the earliest stage of venture funding. It pays your expenses while you're getting started.

Some companies may need no more than seed funding. Others will go through several rounds. There is no right answer; how much funding you need depends on the kind of company you start.

At Y Combinator, our goal is to get you through the first phase. This usually means: get you to the point where you've built something impressive enough to raise money on a larger scale.
Then we introduce you to later stage investors—and in some cases even acquirers.

Seed funding is hard to find, but maybe most effective in vetting new ideas.

Charles River Ventures has a program that looks interesting, but CRV is a venture firm and may have different objectives than a seed fund from angels. Y Combinator has a great program that is mostly a intense incubation boot camp, and a small shot in the arm financially ($20K). I think that we need more of this activity, especially with web driven technologies where sub $500k investment can go along way, and maybe be all that is needed.

Here's a great article from VentureBeat

When seed funding is better than Series A

By Carl Showalter 10.9.07

It’s surprising how often I meet with first-time entrepreneurs who tell me they need $5 million.

Not many companies need that amount in their first round of funding. Much of the time, what they need at the earliest stage is enough money to prove the concept and mitigate some initial risk. Often, what they require is seed funding, more on the order of
$250,000 or $500,000.

So why do entrepreneurs think they need so much money right out of the gate? Some seem to be attempting to finance their way to profitability, but more often than not they think they
need to ask for several million to get the attention of VCs. It’s become a bit of an urban legend: VCs won’t take an entrepreneur seriously if they ask for less than $5 million. That tall tale belongs in the archives with the one about how alligators live in the sewer system.

From Venture Hacks

November 2nd, 2007

“Summarize the company’s business on the back of a business card.”

— Sequoia Capital

Summary: An introduction captures an investor’s attention, but a great elevator pitch gets a meeting. The major components of the pitch are traction, product, and team.

Akira Hirai, Cayenne Consulting 2003

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