Got Questions?

No, all HopStone funding is non-dilutive. We take no equity and no board seats.

Current JHU students and alumni. Both solo founders and teams are welcome. We're industry agnostic, but aim to fund early, pre-seed startups where our funding is catalytic.

Up to $10,000 per startup. The exact amount depends on your capital needs, stage, and what you plan to use the funding for.

We run one sprint per semester and typically open applications in the first few weeks of the fall and spring semesters. Follow our Instagram and LinkedIn for announcements.

After the application period closes, HopStone screens applications for eligibility and sends out initial pitch invites. Initial pitches are conducted virtually with a small group of analysts. HopStone then conducts due diligence and compiles investment writeups. Startups chosen to advance are invited to live pitch meetings with the entire HopStone team and typically share a product demonstration. HopStone then gathers advisory board feedback. Startups chosen for funding are then notified.

Funds are dispersed via PaymentWorks and require that the startup is incorporated.

Progress updates at 6 and 12 months, plus additional milestones therafter. We hope to learn from your success, and aid in mentorship or network introductions whenever possible.

Any current Johns Hopkins undergraduate or graduate student based in Baltimore can apply to join as an analyst. We welcome students from all majors and schools.

Analysts source deals, conduct due diligence, write investment memos, and vote on investment decisions. You do real work on real deals from day one.

No prior finance or investing experience is required — we train all analysts from the ground up. Domain knowledge in biotech, engineering, healthcare, or computer science is a plus. We actively seek diversity of majors and backgrounds; our best deals have come from analysts who deeply understand the industries they evaluate.

We recruit new analysts at the start of each semester. Follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram for application openings each fall and spring.

Analysts typically commit 3–5 hours per week during sprint periods when deals are being evaluated and deployed. Outside of sprints, the commitment is lighter.

Yes. Strong analysts can advance to Senior Analyst, Partner, Managing Director, and General Partner roles through demonstrated performance and commitment. Leadership positions are filled through an internal application process at the end of each semester.