4.0 (formerly 4.0 Schools)
EdTech · Run by 4.0 Schools · New Orleans, LA
Every field is checked against a primary source where we can. How we verify.
The facts
All fields verified Oct 1, 2026- Terms model
- Non-dilutiveGives money that does not take equity: grants, prizes, or credits. Your ownership is untouched.
- Investment
- $5,000 to $5,500 seed grant (Tiny Fellowship)
- Equity taken
- Not published4.0 backs education ideas at day zero with coaching, seed funding, and a founder community; no equity is mentioned, and a 2026 cohort post describes the funding as equity-free. Its core program, the Tiny Fellowship, is a three-month sprint (hence 13 weeks); the 2025 cohort had 118 fellows whose ventures operated across 32 states, and each received a $5,500 seed grant, while the Essentials Fellowship page describes the Tiny Fellowship grant as an additional $5,000, so the amount is shown as a range. The Essentials Fellowship is a free entry program that gives each fellow a $500 stipend to test an idea; its January 2026 edition ran in Austin and Houston for early childhood educators. A 2026 Texas early childhood cohort of 25 fellows ran as a four-month sprint in spring 2026. No current application window is posted.
- Program length
- 13 weeks
- Format
- Not published
- Location
- New Orleans, LA
- Cohorts per year
- Not published
- Cohort size
- 118 fellows (2025 Tiny Fellowship)
- Stage focus
- idea / pre-seed
- Sub-vertical
- early-stage education ideas ('Day Zero' funding and coaching)
- Demographic focus
- Not published
- Backers
- Not published
- Notable alumni
- Not published
Terms notes: 4.0 backs education ideas at day zero with coaching, seed funding, and a founder community; no equity is mentioned, and a 2026 cohort post describes the funding as equity-free. Its core program, the Tiny Fellowship, is a three-month sprint (hence 13 weeks); the 2025 cohort had 118 fellows whose ventures operated across 32 states, and each received a $5,500 seed grant, while the Essentials Fellowship page describes the Tiny Fellowship grant as an additional $5,000, so the amount is shown as a range. The Essentials Fellowship is a free entry program that gives each fellow a $500 stipend to test an idea; its January 2026 edition ran in Austin and Houston for early childhood educators. A 2026 Texas early childhood cohort of 25 fellows ran as a four-month sprint in spring 2026. No current application window is posted.
Get EdTech deadline alerts
One digest a week. Deadline alerts only for verticals you pick. Unsubscribe anytime.
Terms in plain English
4.0 backs education founders at the earliest stage with coaching, non-dilutive seed funding, and a founder community. Its core program, the Tiny Fellowship, is a three-month sprint to refine an idea, craft a pilot plan, and launch; in the 2025 cohort each fellow received a $5,500 seed grant, while 4.0's Essentials Fellowship page describes the Tiny Fellowship grant as an additional $5,000. The free Essentials Fellowship gives each fellow $500 to test an idea, and 4.0 also runs a two-day idea-testing program and custom partnership work with organizations. The organization reports more than $5 million invested and over 2,000 alumni. No application window is currently posted.
Who this is actually for
People at day zero of an education idea, including teachers and community members who are not yet full-time founders. It fits those who want structured coaching and a small amount of early funding before building a company or organization.
4.0 (formerly 4.0 Schools) application deadlines
No application window is on record for this program yet. Check the official website for the next cohort.
Frequently asked questions
- When is the next 4.0 (formerly 4.0 Schools) application deadline?
- No upcoming application window is published for 4.0 (formerly 4.0 Schools). We last verified this on Oct 1, 2026.
- How much does 4.0 (formerly 4.0 Schools) invest?
- 4.0 (formerly 4.0 Schools) lists an investment of $5,000 to $5,500 seed grant (Tiny Fellowship).
- How much equity does 4.0 (formerly 4.0 Schools) take?
- 4.0 (formerly 4.0 Schools) does not publish the equity it takes, so we record it as not published.
- Where is 4.0 (formerly 4.0 Schools) located and is it in person?
- 4.0 (formerly 4.0 Schools) is based in New Orleans, LA.
- Is 4.0 (formerly 4.0 Schools) still active?
- As of our last check on Oct 1, 2026, 4.0 (formerly 4.0 Schools) is active.
Compare this program
Put 4.0 (formerly 4.0 Schools) side by side with up to two others to weigh cash, equity, and timing.
Compare 4.0 (formerly 4.0 Schools)More like 4.0 (formerly 4.0 Schools)
Sources
Everything above was checked against these, verified Oct 1, 2026.