The Oculus Fund
The Oculus Fund is an annual grant of $10,000 awarded to a Battle Creek based for-profit startup company. The Oculus Fund began in 2022 and gets its name from its generous host, 3Eye Technologies.
To create more startups and jobs in Battle Creek, the Oculus Fund hopes to “open” opportunities for a bigger and brighter BC.
All you need to register is an idea and a pitch.
There is no restriction on the type of idea that a creator can submit, but it is essential to remember that it is all about advancing the concept.
We expect creators to have a business plan that shows how the funds would advance them to the next step.
Celebrating local entrepreneurs
3Eye Technologies created the Oculus Fund to celebrate and invest in local entrepreneurs who are driving meaningful change in their communities. Each year, the fund recognizes a small business whose vision, dedication, and impact reflect the power of innovation at the local level. The 2025 selection process was especially competitive, with judges inspired by the passion and purpose demonstrated by every finalist.
This year, 3Eye Technologies is proud to name Kara Bolden, founder of Dynamic Duo Driving School, as the 2025 Oculus Fund recipient. The judging panel ultimately selected Dynamic Duo for its tangible community impact and unwavering commitment to education, safety, and empowerment—values that align deeply with the mission of the Oculus Fund.
Through comprehensive driver education and behind-the-wheel training, Dynamic Duo Driving School equips teens and new drivers with the skills and confidence needed to become safe, responsible drivers. Under Kara Bolden’s leadership, the school has grown into a trusted resource for families and a positive force in the community, helping to build safer roads and brighter futures.
To apply for the Occulus Fund
The Oculus Fund is hosted by 3Eye Technologies in Battle Creek, MI. The first competition round will be held online, inviting contestants to submit their pitch. Online document submissions include:
Pitch Presentation (maximum 10 slides)
Recorded pitch (maximum 5 minutes)
Q&A opportunity, as needed, between contestants and judges
Following round one, a group of finalists will be selected. These finalists will be invited to present live at the Oculus Fund Judges Panel. Visual aids such as videos, dioramas, or PowerPoints are welcome; however, the in-person pitch is limited to just five minutes. Following the presentation, judges will have an opportunity to ask questions.
The winning contestant(s) are selected on the same night as the live presentation event.
Rules
Here are a few submission guidelines you’ll want to take into consideration:
- Any idea (you never know until you try!).
- Any individual. There are no age restrictions!
- You can register anytime. If you register after the second-round finalists have been chosen for the current competition, your submission will be considered for the next competition.
- Judges have complete discretion over allocating the $10,000.
- Must be Battle Creek-based.
- Must be a startup or early-stage for-profit business (less than 3 years old).
Legal
Participation in the contest constitutes permission for the Oculus Fund to use the participant’s name, address (city and state), image, likeness, voice, biographical information, application, presentation, and/or video or audio recordings from the presentation or otherwise for public display and advertising and promotional purposes in any form or media now known or developed in the future without notice or additional compensation, except where prohibited by law.
The Oculus Fund may temporarily or permanently suspend the contest or modify the contest venues, structure, or rules at any time and without advance notice. Oculus Fund, sponsors, and judges reserve the right, in their sole and absolute discretion, to disqualify and reject any entries and participants for any reason.
Employees of Oculus Fund, 3Eye Technologies, and their immediate families (parents, children, siblings, spouse) or members of the same household (whether related or not) of such individuals (“Related Parties”) are not eligible. A judge and his or her Related Parties are not eligible for the contest in which the judge serves as a judge.
By entering the contest, entrants fully and unconditionally agree to be bound by the rules and the decisions of Oculus Fund and the judges, which will be final and binding in all matters relating to the contest.
Any and all federal, state, and local taxes and fees resulting from participation or receipt of any award are the sole responsibility of the participant. All federal, state and local laws and rules apply. Participants must be legal residents of the United States.
By participating in the contest, all entrants and winners agree to release and hold harmless Oculus Fund, 3Eye Technologies, the judges, and their respective affiliates, partners, representatives, agents, successors, assigns, employees, officers, and directors, from any and all liability, for loss, harm, damage, injury, cost or expense whatsoever including without limitation, property damage or injury which may occur in connection with participation in the contest, for any claims based on third party rights in the entry or arising out of the use of the entry as allowed by these rules including, but not limited to publicity rights, defamation, invasion of privacy, copyright infringement, trademark infringement or any other intellectual property-related cause of action.
Any attempted entry other than as set forth above is prohibited; no automatic, programmed, robotic, or similar means of entry are permitted. Oculus Fund and its affiliates are not responsible for technology, hardware, software, or communications malfunctions, errors, or failures of any kind, lost, congested, or unavailable network or internet connections, incomplete or inaccurate capture of entry information (regardless of cause) or failed, incomplete, garbled, or delayed computer transmissions which may limit one’s ability to enter the contest or vote, including issues resulting from downloading any materials from the contest or Sponsor’s website.
The parties waive all rights to trial in any action or proceeding instituted in connection with these rules or the contest. Any controversy or claim arising out of or relating to these rules or the contest shall be settled by binding arbitration in accordance with the commercial arbitration rules of the American Arbitration Association. Any such controversy or claim shall be arbitrated individually and shall not be consolidated in any arbitration with any claim or controversy of any other party. The arbitration shall be conducted in the State of Michigan, City of Battle Creek.
THESE OFFICIAL RULES AND THE INTERPRETATION OF ITS TERMS SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF MICHIGAN WITHOUT REGARD TO ITS CONFLICTS OF LAWS RULES. For any matters that are not subject to arbitration, the parties irrevocably submit and consent to the exclusive jurisdiction and venue of the state and federal courts located in or closest to Calhoun County, Michigan.
A list of winners will be posted at https://3eyetech.com/oculus-fund following each contest.
