M1 INNOVATION FUND
M1 Innovation Grant Access Through MoonshotNX
Independent Innovation Funding for Pre-Seed and Seed Companies
MoonshotNX is an approved partner pathway for founders seeking access to the M1 Innovation Grant and M1 Fund investment review.
The grant is not issued by MoonshotNX.
The M1 Innovation Grant is provided by M1 Fund, an early-stage investment platform supporting Pre-Seed and Seed companies across the United States, United Kingdom, Europe, MENA and Asia.
MoonshotNX’s role is to help founders prepare their company information, complete the required institutional review materials, and submit eligible companies to M1 Fund for independent assessment.
About M1 Fund
M1 Fund is a group of five regional early-stage funds supporting innovative Pre-Seed and Seed companies across major global markets:
United States
United Kingdom
Europe
MENA
Asia
The M1 regional funds are currently entering their third funding round.
Across previous fund activity, M1 Fund has invested in 341 companies, with typical cheque sizes ranging from US$250,000 to US$1,000,000.
M1 Fund may invest as:
Lead investor
Co-lead investor
Follow-on investor where a lead investor is already in place
M1 Fund is backed by cornerstone investors including Mubadala and BBA UK.
The M1 Innovation Grant
Through the M1 Innovation Grant, approved companies may receive US$50,000 in cash paid directly to the company.
This is not a service credit.
This is not a discount.
This is not payment to MoonshotNX.
If approved by M1 Fund, the grant is paid directly to the company as non-dilutive innovation capital.
Approved companies may also be considered by M1 Fund for participation in their funding round, either as lead investor or alongside an existing lead investor.
Who Can Access This Pathway?
Access to the M1 Innovation Grant review pathway through MoonshotNX is available only to founders enrolled in the MoonshotNX 90-Day Sprint.
It is not available through the standard monthly MoonshotNX membership.
How the Process Works
Step 1 — Join the MoonshotNX 90-Day Sprint
Founders enrol in the 90-Day Sprint to prepare their company for institutional review.
Step 2 — Upload Your Company Information
Founders are required to submit the core information M1 Fund and institutional investors need to assess the business, including:
Pitch deck
Executive summary
Company profile
Product information
Market information
Traction data
Financial information
Revenue forecasts
Funding requirements
Cap table
Capital structure
Investor data room materials
Team information
Governance documents
Legal and commercial supporting information
Step 3 — Complete the MoonshotNX Review Process
MoonshotNX uses the submitted information to prepare the company for IC Review.
This process is designed to ensure the company has a complete, structured and review-ready investment profile before submission to M1 Fund.
Step 4 — Apply for IC Review
Once the required information has been uploaded and the review materials are complete, founders may apply for IC Review.
Following IC Review, eligible companies are referred to M1 Fund for independent grant and investment assessment.
M1 Fund Review and Outcomes
M1 Fund independently reviews companies submitted through the MoonshotNX pathway.
Companies receiving an A Rating through the M1 review process qualify for the US$50,000 M1 Innovation Grant, paid directly to the company.
M1 Fund may also consider the company for investment participation, with cheque sizes typically ranging from US$250,000 to US$1,000,000.
M1 may participate as lead investor, co-lead investor or follow-on investor where another lead investor is already in place.
For Clarity:
Companies that receive an A Rating automatically qualify for the US$50,000 Innovation Grant.
Companies that do not receive an A Rating can still be considered by M1 Fund and may also receive the grant if selected.
Important Information
MoonshotNX does not issue the M1 Innovation Grant.
MoonshotNX does not approve or reject M1 Innovation Grant applications.
MoonshotNX does not make M1 Fund investment decisions.
MoonshotNX acts as a preparation and referral partner, helping founders complete the required information and submit review-ready companies to M1 Fund.
All grant and investment decisions are made independently by M1 Fund.
After the 90-Day Sprint
The 90-Day Sprint ends once the company has completed the review process and received its outcome.
Founders who wish to continue working with MoonshotNX after the Sprint may move to the standard US$499/month IRaaS membership for ongoing investor relations support.
This is optional.
Founders who do not continue are no longer tied to MoonshotNX after the Sprint concludes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does MoonshotNX charge a fee if the grant comes from M1 Fund?
This is one of the questions we are asked most often.
MoonshotNX and M1 Fund are two separate organisations with different roles.
MoonshotNX is not the grant provider.
MoonshotNX is a capital readiness and investor relations platform that helps founders prepare their companies for institutional funding. Our role is to help founders organise, validate and present their businesses to professional investment standards before introducing them to capital providers.
The 90-Day Sprint includes the work required to prepare your company for institutional review, including:
Building your investment profile
Reviewing your business information
Completing institutional assessment reports
Preparing your investor data room
Completing your Investment Committee (IC) Review
Managing the submission process to our capital partners
These services require significant technology, infrastructure and specialist expertise, which is why the 90-Day Sprint is a paid programme.
Is MoonshotNX part of M1 Fund?
No.
MoonshotNX and M1 Fund are independent organisations.
MoonshotNX is one of a number of ecosystem partners that introduce investment-ready companies to M1 Fund.
Just as accelerators, incubators, universities and venture partners may introduce companies into institutional investment funds, MoonshotNX acts as a preparation and referral partner.
M1 Fund independently evaluates every company submitted through its partner network.
Does joining the MoonshotNX 90-Day Sprint increase my chances of receiving the M1 Innovation Grant?
Yes.
The M1 Innovation Grant pathway is available through MoonshotNX as part of an exclusive partnership between MoonshotNX and M1 Fund.
By joining the MoonshotNX 90-Day Sprint, founders gain access to a structured preparation, review and referral pathway that is designed specifically to prepare companies for M1 Fund consideration.
This gives founders a stronger opportunity than approaching the process unprepared, because their company information, pitch deck, financial data, investor materials and review profile are organised and submitted through the MoonshotNX process.
However, joining MoonshotNX does not guarantee that a company will receive the M1 Innovation Grant.
MoonshotNX prepares the company and submits eligible companies through the approved pathway. M1 Fund makes the final grant and investment decision according to its own criteria.
Companies that achieve the required A Rating through the M1 review process qualify for the US$50,000 M1 Innovation Grant, paid directly to the company.
What happens after my company is submitted to M1 Fund?
Once your company has completed the MoonshotNX process and is submitted for review, M1 Fund independently evaluates the opportunity.
If your company is approved, M1 Fund may award a US$50,000 Innovation Grant, paid directly to your company, and may also consider participating in your funding round as a lead investor or follow-on investor.
If your company is not approved, your MoonshotNX 90-Day Sprint is complete. You may choose to continue with MoonshotNX's Investor Relations as a Service (IRaaS) programme for ongoing fundraising support, but there is no obligation to do so.