Have a story to tell, a game to build, a business to launch, or another project that could impact culture for Christ? The Impact + Mastery Accelerator Fund (IMA Fund) gives JPCatholic students the opportunity to pitch their ideas and receive real seed funding to bring them to life.
This is your chance to move beyond the classroom and into creation, with mentorship, resources, and financial support behind you.
What is the IMA Fund?
The Impact + Mastery Accelerator Fund exists to empower student-led teams with bold, original ideas that combine professional excellence with cultural impact. Through a competitive pitch process, selected teams receive funding, mentorship, and access to campus resources to move their projects toward production or commercialization.
What kind of projects is the fund for?
Creative Media Projects
- Prototype video, e.g. Angel Studios Torch
- TV pilot
- Feature film
- Documentary
- Video game
- Novel
- Theological, educational, or cultural initiative
- Evangelization outreach
- and more
Start-up Ventures
- For-profit
- Non-profit
If you can articulate a vision and show a path forward, you can pitch it.
How much funding can you receive?
Awards for projects range from $1,000 to $15,000.
Each year, up to $25,000 in total awards is distributed among winning teams. Funding serves as seed money to help you seek additional funding if needed. Award funding is released once your team is fully funded and ready to execute.
In addition, winning teams receive:
✓ Two quarters of mentorship post-graduation
✓ Access to JPCatholic facilities and equipment
✓ In-kind production and development support
What is the application process?
Students interested in the IMA Fund will be required to first take their idea through the Launchpad and Incubator process, a four-course sequence designed to help you turn inspiration into execution by applying entrepreneurial principles to your unique project, market, or creative vocation.
Junior Year
FALL
Business Launchpad I
Evaluate your IMA Fund idea by researching market needs, the competitive landscape, team capabilities, and financial feasibility, laying the foundation for a viable pitch.
Senior Year
WINTER
Business Launchpad II
Refine your market entry strategy, build external partnerships, and complete a business plan and pitch materials.
Initial Pitch & Seed Funding: At the end of the Winter quarter, you will pitch your current business or project plan. If you pass this stage, you may receive some initial seed funding to assist with start-up fees and prototyping, and advance to the Business Incubator.
SPRING
Business Incubator I
Work one-on-one with a professional mentor in your field to develop a prototype or proof of concept, refine your business plan, and improve your IMA Fund pitch deck. If you’re pitching a media project, you could concurrently use the Senior Project process to develop a proof of concept.
- Application Deadline: By the final day of Spring quarter, you must submit your formal application with a polished pitch deck, business plan, video pitch, and potentially a proof of concept or prototype (see application for details).
SUMMER
Business Incubator II
Continue one-on-one mentorship while strengthening your project, business model, and pitch materials.
IMA Pitch Event
At the end of Summer quarter, top applicants will be invited to pitch in front of a panel of judges and our campus community. This will include the opportunity to showcase an updated proof of concept. Potential outcomes include:
- Growth Funding Award: You receive a certain level of funding for our business.
- Development Pathway: You receive feedback to improve your business plan, and the potential to re-pitch in the future. JPCatholic can provide you with a mentor to help you solve perceived problems with your plan, and you can re-pitch the project six months later.
Post-Graduation
- On-going Mentorship: Receive two quarters of on-going support from your mentor as you transition your project into real-world execution. Extensions may be made depending on the nature of the project and evidence of completed milestones.
- Raise Additional Funding: If needed, teams pursue additional funding to complete their budget. Once the project is fully funded and ready to execute, JPCatholic seed funding is released.
- Execute: Move into active production, launch, or commercialization, bringing your project to life with professional accountability and real-world impact. If you are producing a media project, you can request access to JPCatholic’s facilities and equipment during the breaks and utilize student assistance for credit.
JPCatholic’s vision is to enable students to build culture-impacting businesses as part of an industry cluster surrounding the university and operating at the intersections of the creative arts, entrepreneurship, and the humanities. Even if your organization is not based in Escondido, it can benefit from an ongoing relationship with your alma mater and a network of other alumni companies.
What are the judges looking for?
A panel of judges, consisting of JPCatholic leadership including members of the Board of Trustees, will evaluate projects based on the following criteria:
| Criteria | Description |
|---|---|
| Mission Alignment | Idea, at its core, aligns with JPCatholic’s mission to Impact culture for Christ |
| Problem/Solution | Clear opportunity, viable proposed solution, and unique value proposition. |
| Market Potential | Understood target market, customer validation, and potential for scalability. |
| Team Credibility | Relevant expertise, commitment, and ability to execute the business plan. |
| Financial Viability | A clear, articulated revenue model and realistic financial projections. |
| Use of Funds | A clear plan for how the seed funding will be used to achieve key milestones. |
| Sustainability | Projects that could lead to long term viability of the organization are preferred. |
| Criteria | Description |
|---|---|
| Mission Alignment | Idea, at its core, aligns with JPCatholic’s mission to Impact culture for Christ |
| Problem/Solution | Clear opportunity, viable proposed solution, and unique value proposition. |
| Market Potential | Understood target market, customer validation, and potential for scalability. |
| Team Credibility | Relevant expertise, commitment, and ability to execute the business plan. |
| Financial Viability | A clear, articulated revenue model and realistic financial projections. |
| Use of Funds | A clear plan for how the seed funding will be used to achieve key milestones. |
| Sustainability | Projects that could lead to long term viability of the organization are preferred. |
Additional details and program requirements can be found on the application.
Apply NowFrequently Asked Questions
Can alumni apply to the IMA Fund?
No, the application is for current students. They will apply for the funding during senior year and use the funds in their early years of being an alumni. However, other alumni can still be part of the project team.
Can I switch my idea/pitch to a completely different idea midway through the LaunchPad and Incubator process?
Yes, absolutely. A big part of the process is experimentation and iteration, and students are encouraged to follow where strong validation, mentorship, and insight lead, even if that means changing direction completely.
How does this process work for transfer students who are off-cycle from the usual schedule?
Please discuss your individual situation with the Registrar’s office if you are a transfer student interested in the IMA Fund.
Do I need a fully formed team to get started?
Not necessarily. You can start by taking your idea through the Business Launchpad, and assessing what kind of team is needed to bring the project to fruition. You can use your time in the program to recruit and assemble a team based on the project needs. Some projects may not need a team beside yourself.
Is the IMA Fund process a substitute for senior projects?
No, the IMA Fund is designed to support and work alongside senior projects from various emphases. You can do both, and it’s likely your senior project could serve your IMA pitch (e.g. produce a proof of concept video).
For business students, the IMA Fund represents an expansion of the existing Business Launchpad and Incubator process.
Any other questions?
Please contact Derry Connolly: dconnolly@jpcatholic.edu
Please note that details of the IMA Fund are subject to change.