DIRECT INVESTMENT · COMPETITION
Honors Fund
Startup Funding / Pitch Competition
Independent editorial profile; DNA Future is not affiliated with or endorsed by this institution unless expressly stated. A university-connected venture fund with both regular startup investing and a separate pitch competition.
Source checked · Status uncertain · Check routeView official page ↗
01
THE INSTITUTION
What is Honors Fund?
Honors Fund is a university-focused early-stage venture fund associated with founders, students and researchers.
It primarily evaluates software and technology companies connected to higher education.
Honors Fund began investing in university-connected founders in 2022 and operates as a sub-fund within the CEAS Investments family-office structure.
The fund says it intends to make $25 million of first checks, usually around $250,000, and has deployed more than $10 million across roughly 25–29 teams.
The strategy focuses on software and technology companies founded by students, recent graduates, postdocs and faculty. Nyck AI and Barqminerals were among the 2026 competition winners.
Its October 2026 Bay Area competition offered a separate $150,000 SAFE and has passed its deadline. The regular investment route and the competition must be evaluated independently.
02
THE PEOPLE
Who leads Honors Fund and this program?
Blake Hatten
Lead Investor
Leads Honors Fund's investment work and university-founder strategy.
Noah Isserman, PhD
Investment support and adviser
Supports founder evaluation and the fund's university and entrepreneurship network.
The official site names Blake Hatten as lead investor, supported by Noah Isserman; it does not identify a different permanent director for the competition.
03
THE PROGRAM
What is Startup Funding / Pitch Competition?
Regular startup funding and the Bay Area Pitch Competition are two different routes with different terms.
04
WHO IT IS FOR
Who should consider it?
- Student, recent-graduate, postdoc or faculty founders
- Software and technology startups
- Teams that verify which funding route is active
05
SUPPORT
What do you get?
- Typical first check publicly described around $250,000
- Separate competition previously offered a $150,000 SAFE
- University founder network
Do not misread this
The $250K investment and $150K competition SAFE are not one combined offer; current status remains uncertain.
06
PUBLIC EVIDENCE
What does the public record show?
The strategy focuses on software and technology companies founded by students, recent graduates, postdocs and faculty. Nyck AI and Barqminerals were among the 2026 competition winners.
How to read this evidence
Examples show institutional or program history. They do not predict admission, funding, ownership terms or outcomes for a new applicant.
07
APPLICATION
How do you apply?
- Choose regular funding or the competition
- Check whether that route is active
- Submit company materials
- Review route-specific investment terms
DNA Future research note. This is an independent editorial profile based on official sources. Program terms and availability can change; the institution’s current materials take precedence.
Last reviewed · 13 October 2026