Win Up to $40,000 in Product Development Support for Your Innovation

Applications are opening for the Go Vertical ICM Innovation Grant 2026, created for founders building promising innovations in medtech, women’s health, femtech, wearables, wellness, and consumer innovation.

One selected founder or early-stage company will receive access to Go Vertical ICM’s Creation Accelerator Program, with structured support valued at up to $40,000.

This grant is awarded in the form of services, mentorship, development guidance, branding support, and manufacturing readiness support. It is not unrestricted cash funding.

Applications open June 1, 2026 and close June 19, 2026. A non-refundable $99.99 application fee is required to submit.

Why This Grant Exists

Building a product is difficult. Founders are often navigating product development, supplier decisions, prototyping, branding, manufacturability, and commercialization without a clear roadmap. The wrong sequence of decisions can cost time, money, and momentum.

The Go Vertical ICM Innovation Grant 2026 was created to support one promising founder with structured guidance through the critical early stages of building and preparing a physical product for market.

This grant is designed for founders who need more than advice. It is for founders who need a clearer development pathway, stronger execution support, and a structured environment to move their product forward.

Who Should Apply

This opportunity is intended for founders and early-stage companies building physical products or physical products with light software integration.

You may be a fit if you are building in

Medtech
Women’s health
Femtech
Wearables
Wellness
Consumer innovation
Physical products with light software support

This grant may be especially relevant if you have

A product concept
An early prototype
A physical product idea with market potential
A founder or team committed to execution
A need for product development, branding, manufacturing readiness, or commercialization support
A product that could benefit from structured guidance over time

Not Eligible This Round

This grant is not intended for

AI-first products
Software-only products
Service-only businesses
Companies seeking unrestricted cash funding only
High complexity Innovations
Products outside Go Vertical ICM’s current support capabilities

This round is focused specifically on physical product concepts and physical products with light software integration.

Grant Value

The 2026 grant recipient will receive structured support valued at up to $40,000.

This support is delivered through Go Vertical ICM’s Creation Accelerator Program. The grant is awarded in the form of services and structured support. It is not cash funding and cannot be exchanged for cash.

What Is the Creation Accelerator Program?

The Creation Accelerator Program is Go Vertical ICM’s structured support pathway for physical product founders. CAP is designed to help founders move from early concept or prototype toward stronger product readiness, brand readiness, manufacturing preparedness, and commercialization support.

Through CAP, the selected grant recipient will receive guided support across the areas that often determine whether a physical product can move from idea to execution:

For the 2026 Innovation Grant, one selected founder will receive access to CAP as the grant prize.

What the Grant Includes

The selected recipient will receive access to the Creation Accelerator Program and structured support across key areas needed to move a physical product forward.

Product Development Support

Guidance across concept refinement, product development planning, prototype iteration strategy, and next-step execution. This may include support in clarifying the product direction, identifying development priorities, and creating a stronger pathway from concept or prototype toward execution.

Branding Support

Foundational branding support to strengthen product presentation, positioning, and market readiness. This may include guidance around brand clarity, product messaging, early market positioning, and how the product is presented to customers, partners, or future funders.

Manufacturing Readiness

Guidance around manufacturability, supply chain planning, production preparation, and scale readiness. This may include support in understanding manufacturing considerations, production planning, supplier readiness, and what may need to be addressed before moving toward production.

Mentorship & Advising

Ongoing support from Go Vertical ICM’s team and advisor network to help guide development, execution, and decision-making. This is designed to help the selected founder make more informed decisions as the product moves through development and readiness milestones.

Strategic Execution Oversight

Structured support to help the founder move with greater clarity, sequencing, accountability, and focus This includes guidance around what to prioritize, what to address first, and how to avoid spending time and resources on the wrong next step.

What Is Not Included

To avoid confusion, the following are not included in the grant prize at this stage:

Regulatory filing execution
Regulatory strategy services
IP filing
Formal IP strategy or legal services
Prototype manufacturing costs
Production costs
Third-party vendor costs
Direct cash funding
Software development
AI product development

These items may be addressed at a later stage depending on project readiness, technical pathway, and future engagement structure.

Before You Apply

Before submitting your application, make sure you can provide:

A clear description of your product
The problem your product solves
Your target customer or user
Your current stage of development
Any prototype, concept visuals, sketches, pitch deck, or product materials available
Why Go Vertical ICM’s support would help move the product forward
What you hope to accomplish through structured development support

You do not need to have a finished product to apply.

You should, however, be able to clearly explain what you are building, who it is for, and why structured support would make a meaningful difference

Selection Process

The selection process will take place in two rounds.

Judge Review

Applications will first be reviewed by a panel of 5 Evaluators.

Evaluators will evaluate submissions based on concept strength, market relevance, founder readiness, product potential, and fit with Go Vertical ICM’s support model.

Go Vertical ICM Management Review

Shortlisted applicants will then move to a second review conducted by Go Vertical ICM management.

The final award decision will be based on overall fit, readiness, product potential, and alignment with the purpose of the grant.

Final Winner Selection

One selected founder or company will receive the 2026 grant prize in the form of access to the Creation Accelerator Program and associated support services.

What Evaluators Will Evaluate

Applications will be reviewed based on:

Strength and relevance of the problem being solved
Product concept and market potential
Founder seriousness and readiness
Product fit with Go Vertical ICM’s capabilities
Potential to benefit from structured product development support
Current stage of product development
Clarity of customer or user need
Overall credibility of the opportunity
Alignment with eligible product categories

Evaluators are not only looking for polished applications. They are looking for founders with a credible product direction, a meaningful problem, and the potential to benefit from structured development support.

Runner-Up Consideration

Selected runner-ups may be offered incentives or discounted access toward Strategic Discovery or CAP, depending on fit, readiness, and available capacity. Runner-up incentives are optional and offered at Go Vertical ICM’s discretion.

June 1, 2026

Applications Open

June 19, 2026

Applications Close

July 31, 2026

Round 1 Evaluators Evaluation

August 5, 2026

First Shortlist Notice

September 15, 2026

Final Winner Announcement

Timeline dates are subject to minor administrative adjustment at Go Vertical ICM’s discretion.

Application Fee

A non-refundable $99.99 application fee is required to submit an application for the Go Vertical ICM Innovation Grant 2026. The application fee supports:

Payment of the application fee does not guarantee shortlisting, final selection, CAP admission, or future engagement with Go Vertical ICM.

Why Go Vertical ICM?

Go Vertical ICM supports founders building physical products by helping them strengthen product development pathways, manufacturing readiness, brand positioning, commercialization planning, and execution strategy.

The Innovation Grant is designed to give one selected founder structured access to this support through the Creation Accelerator Program.

The goal is to help founders move with more clarity, stronger sequencing, and better preparation as they develop products with market potential.

Important Notice

Please review the following before applying:

The grant is awarded to one selected recipient only
The grant prize is awarded in the form of CAP participation and associated support services
The grant is not unrestricted cash funding
A non-refundable $99.99 application fee is required to submit an application
Submission of an application does not guarantee shortlisting, selection, CAP admission, or future engagement
Go Vertical ICM reserves the right to determine eligibility, shortlist applicants, and make the final award decision
Go Vertical ICM may modify timelines, judging logistics, or administrative details if needed
Runner-up incentives may be offered at Go Vertical ICM’s discretion
This round is limited to physical product concepts and physical products with light software support
AI-first products are excluded from this round
Software-only and service-only businesses are excluded from this round

Apply for the Go Vertical ICM Innovation Grant 2026

If you are building a product and want structured support across product development, branding, manufacturing readiness, and mentorship, we invite you to apply. One selected founder will receive access to the Creation Accelerator Program, with support valued at up to $40,000.

Applications are open from June 1 through June 19, 2026. A non-refundable $99.99 application fee is required.