Main Street Ventures Learn Sponsorship

Main Street Ventures’ Learn Sponsorship, also referred to as Learn Funding, is a grant program dedicated to fostering the growth and connectivity of the entrepreneurial ecosystem in the Greater Cincinnati region. Unlike other Main Street Ventures programs that support individual businesses at various stages of development, the Learn Sponsorship initiative targets organizations and events that provide infrastructure, programming, and community-building activities for entrepreneurs. This includes entrepreneur support organizations and programs that advance STEM talent and encourage collaboration across resources in the startup community. The Learn Funding program is part of Main Street Ventures' broader mission to support local entrepreneurship through equity-free capital. All of the funding offered by MSV is provided with no expectation of repayment, equity, or financial return, allowing recipient organizations to focus solely on impact and execution. The purpose of Learn Funding is to ensure that key ecosystem builders have the resources to deliver educational content, convening opportunities, and support structures that enable the entrepreneurial community to thrive. Eligible applicants must be registered business entities—either C-Corps, S-Corps, or LLCs—with a valid Federal Tax ID (EIN). Furthermore, eligibility is geographically restricted to applicants located in specific counties within the tri-state area. These include Hamilton, Butler, Clermont, and Warren counties in Ohio; Boone, Campbell, and Kenton counties in Kentucky; and Dearborn County in Indiana. Applications from outside these designated counties are not eligible and will not be considered for funding. While the specific funding amounts and application details for the Learn Sponsorship are not currently published, applicants are advised to monitor updates, as Main Street Ventures is actively evaluating the timing of the next application cycle. The absence of a current application window places this program in an anticipatory phase, but the organization has indicated that further information will be forthcoming. Interested organizations are encouraged to prepare by aligning their programs with MSV’s priorities, including community collaboration and the advancement of STEM and entrepreneurial education. Applications to MSV programs are competitive, and meeting all eligibility requirements does not guarantee an award. Successful applications typically demonstrate a clear project definition, a viable timeline and budget, organizational capacity to execute, and a measurable impact on the local entrepreneurial community. Although detailed evaluation criteria and submission steps are not explicitly provided, applicants should be prepared to articulate their project goals, expected community outcomes, and how grant funding will be utilized to support specific initiatives that grow the local ecosystem. No specific contacts, deadlines, or downloadable application forms are available for the Learn Funding program at this time. However, potential applicants are encouraged to stay informed via Main Street Ventures’ communications channels for announcements regarding the next grant cycle, application requirements, and additional details as they become available.