The NSF regularly gives grants for no equity https://seedfund.nsf.gov/ https://seedfund.nsf.gov/ You could do something like that, but broaden the requirements

The NSF regularly gives grants for no equity https://seedfund.nsf.gov/ https://seedfund.nsf.gov/ You could do something like that, but broaden the requirements to include all tech (not just science or high tech), and take equity. The gov't would also be in a much better position to hire scouts across the country, hence democratizing access to funding.