Introduction:

Join hosts Pablo and Leon as they sit down with Llyas Salahud-Din, founder of GrantApply, recorded live at San Antonio Startup Week. In this episode, Elias shares his inspiring story from being a foster child to building a successful tech startup that empowers nonprofits. Recently crowned the winner of the $20,000 Geekdom pre-accelerator competition, Elias dives into the challenges of developing GrantApply, a software designed to streamline the grant-writing process for nonprofits, helping them secure funding more efficiently.

Hosts:

Pablo Calvo: Linkedin

Leon Hitchens: Linkedin & X:

Guest:

Llyas Salahud-Din: LinkedIn
GrantAppli: Website

Find Us:

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheBoostChannel

Website: https://theboost.fm


Episode Highlights:

1. Introduction to Grant Apply:
   • Llyas describes how Grant Apply reduces the time needed for nonprofits to complete grant applications, allowing them to focus more on their core missions. With over 1.8 million nonprofits in the U.S. and thousands in San Antonio alone, this software meets a vital need by simplifying and enhancing the grant-writing process.
2. The Path to Startup Success:
   • From a challenging start as a foster child to raising over $50 million in funds for nonprofits, Llyas explains how his experiences fueled his vision for Grant Apply. He discusses the ups and downs of his entrepreneurial journey, including a challenging search for the right technical partner.
3. Personal Challenges and Resilience:
   • Llyas opens up about the personal trials he faced while building Grant Apply, including the loss of his child during the startup process. Through it all, he remained committed to his vision, using resilience as a guiding force to overcome setbacks.
4. Growth and Impact Goals:
   • With a recent cash prize win, Llyas is ready to scale Grant Apply by adding new features, investing in marketing, and expanding partnerships to ensure even greater impact for nonprofits.
5. Future Vision:
   • Llyas dreams of expanding Grant Apply’s capabilities to support grant writing for federal and state grants, potentially moving into for-profit sectors where businesses also apply for grants.

Key Takeaways:

1. Building Strong Partnerships:
   • Llyas shares how he overcame technical challenges by finding the right engineering partner. His story highlights the importance of teamwork and complementary skills in the startup journey.
2. Personal Branding & Storytelling:
   • Pablo and Leon encourage Llyas to build a personal brand around his story, inspiring other aspiring entrepreneurs, especially those interested in nonprofits and tech.
3. Commitment to Community Impact:
   • Llyas talks passionately about giving back to San Antonio and supporting nonprofits on a budget, demonstrating how mission-driven technology can create real change.

Summary:

Llyas Salahud-Din takes listeners on a heartfelt journey through his personal and professional life. He discusses how his background in the nonprofit sector fueled his desire to support organizations in maximizing their impact, which led to the creation of Grant Apply.