Funding Opportunities And Business Resources – August 2024

GLOBAL OPPORTUNITIES (unless specified in the description)

About Her Microgrants - Micro grants are open to Caribbean and African women + women of African and Caribbean descent, who are entrepreneurs, creatives and non-profit founders, based in their home countries or anywhere around the world. Applicants must demonstrate that their projects are positively impacting culture and community. Funding of $500. Applications due in June 2024. - https://aboutherculture.com/micro-grant-opportunities/

Amazon App Store Small Business Accelerator - The Small Business Accelerator Program allows developers that earn less than 1 million USD in total annual revenue in the previous calendar year to access additional benefits up to or equivalent to 20% of Appstore revenue. If eligible, you’ll receive a 10% increased royalty payment and AWS credits equivalent to 10% of your app revenue. - https://developer.amazon.com/apps-and-games/small-business-program

Amazon Small Business Success Studio - The free service offers lessons in finance, marketing, procurement and operations, along with tips from founders -https://business.amazon.com/en/small-business/success-studio/welcome

American Express Leadership Academy - The Academy is for people in the non-profit sector who are intentionally striving to be better equipped to respond adaptively to challenges, and to keep going in the face of adversity. - https://commonpurpose.org/american-express-leadership-academy#anchor1

Antler Global Startup Program - Antler is a global early-stage VC that runs multiple programs for business startups around the world. See the website for more info about the program and application dates. - https://www.antler.co/platform/#apply-now

Awesome Foundation - Foundation distributes $1,000 grants, no strings attached, to projects and their creators. At each fully autonomous chapter, the money is pooled together from the coffers of ten or so self-organizing “micro-trustees”. Awarded monthly - https://www.awesomefoundation.org/en

AWS Startup Loft Accelerator - AWS Startup Loft Accelerator equips your technical team with tech resources, guidance and a community of peers. From technical deep dives to round tables on day-to-day CTO challenges, including: recruiting, managing an engineering team, building a minimum viable product, and design principles for cloud architecture. Provides $25,000 in AWS credits - https://aws-startup-lofts.com/emea/program/accelerator

Canva Pro For Nonprofits - If you are a nonprofit, you can register now to get Canva’s premium features for free. - https://www.canva.com/canva-for-nonprofits/

Emergent Ventures Grant/Fellowship Application (through Mercatus Center at George Mason University) - Emergent Ventures, a fellowship and grant program from the Mercatus Center, seeks to support entrepreneurs with highly scalable, “zero to one” ideas for meaningfully improving society. Projects will either be fellowships or grants: fellowships involve time in residence at the Mercatus Center in Northern Virginia; grants are one-time or slightly staggered payments to support a project. https://www.mercatus.org/emergent-ventures

Etsy Disaster Relief Fund - Sellers will be eligible for a grant if they experienced a federally declared natural disaster within the past year, have been an active seller on Etsy for at least one year, and their Etsy account is in good standing. Grants for $2,500 - https://advocacy.etsy.com/etsy-emergency-relief-fund-at-cerf/

F6S List of Accelerators and Pitch Competitions - Provides a list of accelerators, contests and pitch competitions around the world. https://www.f6s.com/

48 in 48 - Website Build Event - 48in48 provides free websites to empower nonprofits. They recruit teams of talented designers, developers, project managers and content writers come together and create amazing websites over just one weekend. Non-profits with less than $3MM in revenue are welcome to apply. Their next event focuses on global nonprofits. Register by 9/13/24 - https://48in48.org/events/

Future of Capitalism Tech Startup Pitch Competition - The competition is on the lookout for Tech that can transform how businesses operate – from customer experience, admin/management systems, financial processes, logistics, marketing or anything else. This is open to startups based anywhere in the world however the entry and pitch process will all be in English. Prize of $1,000,000. Apply by 9/30/2024 - https://www.futureofcapitalism.tech/

LG NOVA InnoFest Startup Pitch Competition - LG NOVA is calling innovative startups to apply for LG NOVA InnoFest Pitch Competition to create a positive impact on people and the planet to join them on stage at InnoFest 2024. Focus areas include HealthTech, CleanTech, AI and Life Sciences. Funding of $150,000. Apply by 8/23/2024 - https://www.lgnova.com/innofest/pitch-competition-application

Microsoft for Startups Founders Hub - Microsoft for Startups Founders Hub helps startups radically accelerate innovation by providing access to industry-leading AI services, expert guidance, and the essential technology needed to build a future-proofed startup. Up to $150K in Azure credits - https://www.microsoft.com/en-ca/startups

Milken-Motsepe Prize in FinTech - The Milken-Motsepe Prize in FinTech encourages established companies with a proven track record of reaching underserved communities to apply. Participants can be a single individual or a team of individuals. Prize of $1,000,000. Apply by 8/6/2024 - https://milkenmotsepeprize.org/fintech/

Pollination Project - Grants to global non-profits. Annual budget for your group or organization must be less than $50,000. The total cost for the immediate project for which you are requesting funding must be less than $40,000 - https://thepollinationproject.org/apply/

Roddenberry Catalyst Fund - The Catalyst Fund is offering grants to Nonprofits & Social Enterprises to fund ideas or early-stage projects that have a high potential for large-scale impact and sustainable change. You can be a seasoned social entrepreneur or a first-time changemaker. Eligible candidates for the Catalyst Fund may be individuals, teams of individuals, non-profit organizations, or social enterprises. Funding up to $15,000 - https://roddenberryfoundation.org/our-work/catalyst-fund/

Savvy Fellowship - Savvy is a 12-week virtual Fellowship program for young professionals seeking to be part of the new generation of impact entrepreneurs. Applicants should be 40 or younger - https://savvyfellows.com/team/

SheTrades Accelerator - SheTrades Accelerator Programme for women entrepreneurs and business support organizations in the Apparel, Accessories and Home Décor sectors is targeting women-led businesses (WLBs) and Business Support Organizations (BSO) in the Apparel, Accessories, and Home Decor sector from Iraq, Jordan, Kenya, Lebanon, Senegal, and South Africa. - https://shetrades-accelerator.converve.io/

SPC Founder Fellowship Fall 2024 - Fellows become lifetime members of a talent-dense community in technology, including access to SPC's community spaces in San Francisco, New York City, and Bangalore. All fellows are expected to work out of San Francisco or New York City spaces for at least the duration of the 8 week curriculum. Fellows received $400,000 for 7% equity. Apply by 8/9/2024 - https://blog.southparkcommons.com/spc-founder-fellowship-fall-2024/

Techstars Accelerators - Techstars accelerators have one goal: to help entrepreneurs succeed. During each three-month program, they surround companies (companies should be based in North American time zones) with the best mentors and an unrivaled network of corporate partners, investors, and alumni. Companies can receive $20K for 6% of company. Various locations and due dates - https://www.techstars.com/accelerators/

We Make Change - Global initiative that matches small businesses (mainly not for profits) with volunteers who are professional individuals or are from companies (including blue chip) that have an interest in supporting not for profits. Helps impact startups build a remote volunteer team for free - https://www.wemakechange.org/

Y Combinator - Y Combinator is accepting applications for the Winter 2025 funding cycle. The batch will take place from January–March 2025 in San Francisco. The batch will take place in-person in San Francisco. It kicks off with a 3-day, in-person retreat and features weekly meetups in San Francisco. Funding of $500,000. Apply by 10/15/2024 - https://www.ycombinator.com/apply

AFRICA-SPECIFIC OPPORTUNITIES

Founders Factory Africa Gen F Incubator - Gen F is for exceptional founders/aspiring entrepreneurs looking to build out and test their ideas, achieve commercial success, and create outsized, systemic impact and founders looking to build tech solutions that solve Africa’s largest problems and catalyze change. Funding up to $250,000 - https://www.foundersfactory.africa/gen-f-eir-initiative

Grindstone incubator - Incubator will include training, corporate advisory, coaching, mentorship and funding. Specific interventions for each company include a structured gap analysis, understanding of the company value system, building a digital go-to-market strategy, financial modelling, intellectual property assessment, strategic and financial valuation as well as populating a data room - https://www.grindstonexl.com/grindstone-accelerator

CANADA-SPECIFIC OPPORTUNITIES

Black Innovation Launchpad - The Black Innovation Launchpad is a FREE virtual skills development platform focused on building the next generation of Black entrepreneurs. https://www.dmzlaunchpad.ca/courses/black-innovation-launchpad

High Five Grant for Moms - This grant is exclusively for women caregivers with human child(ren) of all ages. If your children are adults, we say: “Once a mom, always a mom.” This grant also welcomes first-time expecting moms, stepmoms, and foster moms. You must verify earning business revenue in the past 12 months, and have earned at least $10,000 annual revenue, but no more than $500,000 annual revenue. Can be based in US or Canada. Funding up to $10,000. Apply 9/1-9/30/24 - https://themamaladder.com/grant

IMPACT grants - Primary goal of grant is to fuel the endeavors of businesses and nonprofits that are actively making a significant IMPACT within their communities and beyond. Open to US and Canada-based organizations. Funding of $1,000 -https://impactfundingsolutions.com/impact-grant-application-for-businesses/

Launchpad for Women Entrepreneurs - Launchpad for Women Entrepreneurs is designed to empower early-stage women entrepreneurs interprovincially by offering dedicated resources to kickstart and grow a successful business. Program is available via its on-demand self-paced learning platform nationally or through in-person sessions across Ontario, Alberta, British Columbia, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia -https://www.launchpadforwomen.ca/

Small Business BC Award - Nominations are now open for the Small Business BC Awards to celebrate businesses from all industries, communities, and cultures across British Columbia. Funding of $5,000. Apply by 8/16/2024 - https://smallbusinessbc.ca/awards/how-it-works/

TD Ready Challenge Canada - The 2024 TD Ready Challenge is seeking applications from charitable and non-profit organizations that propose innovative approaches to supporting underserved small business owners to develop a business, launch a new business, or grow an existing business. Funding of $1,000,000. Apply by 9/5/2024 - https://www.td.com/ca/en/about-td/ready-commitment/funding/the-ready-challenge

Tidal Empowerment Program - The program offers ten selected businesses an opportunity to receive comprehensive consulting on Strategy, Marketing, Operations, and Technology— worth $25,000, and a promotional technology bundle to help with implementation. - https://empowerment.tidalcommerce.ca/

OPPORTUNITIES ONLY WITHIN THE UNITED KINGDOM/IRELAND

Innovate UK KTN - Resource for sourcing grant programs available in the UK across all sectors. Funding opportunities section allows visitors to the website to filter grants by sector or type of funding required. - https://iuk.ktn-uk.org/opportunities/

OPPORTUNITIES ONLY WITHIN THE UNITED STATES

Amazon's Black Business Accelerator - Dedicated to helping build sustainable equity and growth for Black entrepreneurs by enabling their success as sellers. Grow your business with access to financial support, strategic business guidance and mentorship, and marketing and promotional support. - https://sell.amazon.com/programs/black-business-accelerator

Amigas In Business Pitch Competition - Open to entrepreneurs with at least one year in business and located in the United States. Apply now for the chance to be one of three finalists who will present their final pitch during the Amigas in Business Live event on October 9th, 2024. Funding up to $50K. Apply by 8/15/2024 - https://www.weallgrowlatina.com/amigas-in-business-live/

Bank of America's Business Education Center for Entrepreneurs - Visit Bank of America's Small Business Education site for access to free webinars on Accessing Capital, Building Business Credit and more -https://go.bofa.com/BusinessEducationCenter

Black Girl Ventures Pitch Program - The BGV Pitch Program flips the traditional pitch experience on its head: they coach entrepreneurs, host a live crowdfunded pitch competition, then connect entrepreneurs to community and professionals to support them on their journey. You don't need to have experience pitching, nor do you need to have a pitch deck already created. Must be located in Los Angeles, Austin, Chicago or NYC. Funding for up to $10,000 - Deadlines are based on city (April 26 to Nov 6) - https://blackgirlventures.submittable.com/submit

Entrepreneurs Access Network (through E&Y) - Applicants must be a Black or Latino CEO or founder of any privately held company in the US. Company must be more than two years old and 51% minority (Black/Latino) owned. The platform includes assessments, 1:1 coaching, curriculum customized based on needs, access to online tools, networking events and promotional exposure. Apply by 8/30/2024 - https://www.ey.com/en_us/entrepreneurship/entrepreneurs-access-network

Famous Amos Ingredients for Success Entrepreneurs Initiative - Your business must be at minimum 90% Black-owned to be considered for this program and have been in operation for five years or less. Funding of $50,000. Apply by 8/4/2024 - https://famousamosingredientsforsuccess.com/

Fast Break for Small Business (LegalZoom) - LegalZoom, the NBA, WNBA, and NBA G League are committed to helping small business owners. The grant program is focused on reaching entrepreneurs of color, women, low- to moderate-income small business owners, immigrants, and others who have historically had limited access to financing for their business. Grants for $10,000. Apply by 9/13/2024 - https://www.legalzoom.com/fastbreakforsmallbusiness

Foot Locker Foundation Grants - Foot Locker Foundation, Inc. and LISC are offering grants ranging from $25,000 to $100,000 to nonprofit organizations in 13 cities. The 13 eligible cities are: Atlanta, Baltimore, Chicago, Dallas, Detroit, Houston, Los Angeles, New York City, Newark, Oakland, Philadelphia, San Francisco, and Washington D.C. – Funding up to $100,000. Apply by 9/30/2024 - https://www.lisc.org/our-stories/story/foot-locker-lisc-open-grant-application-nonprofits-13-cities-focused-youth-equity-empowerment/

Gucci North America Changemakers Impact Fund grant - The Gucci North America Changemakers Impact Fund awards grant funding to community-based 501(c)(3) organizations across the select Changemakers cities. Gucci Changemakers North American focus cities include Atlanta, Chicago, Detroit, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New York, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Toronto, and Washington, DC. Funding for $50,000. Apply by 9/30/2024 - https://app.getacceptd.com/guccichangemakers

HearstLab Pitch Competition - HearstLab is looking for female founders whose companies are working on tech-enabled B2B/B2B2C solutions and have a MVP or live product in market (no physical products or inventory). Must be based in US. Funding of $100,000. Apply by 8/7/2024- https://forms.fillout.com/t/xcvJ35AYFyus

HerRise Micro-Grant ($10 fee to apply) - Each month a $1000 micro-grant will be awarded to a for-profit small business owned by women of color. Past recipients used their growth grants for computers, equipment, marketing materials, software purchase, website creation and more. - https://www.hersuitespot.com/herrise/

High Five Grant for Moms - This grant is exclusively for women caregivers with human child(ren) of all ages. If your children are adults, we say: “Once a mom, always a mom.” This grant also welcomes first-time expecting moms, stepmoms, and foster moms. You must verify earning business revenue in the past 12 months, and have earned at least $10,000 annual revenue, but no more than $500,000 annual revenue. Can be based in US or Canada. Funding up to $10,000 - Apply 9/1-9/30/24 - https://themamaladder.com/grant

Idea Cafe Small Business Grant - Idea Cafe, an online resource center for women-owned businesses, has been awarding Idea Cafe Small Business Grants of $1,000 to women entrepreneurs who either own a business currently or want to start their own business. Applications are now being taken for women who would like to apply for the grant money. (no fee but must sign up to be part of Idea Cafe) - https://www.businessownersideacafe.com/business_grants/index.php

Josephine Collective - The Josephine Collective looks at deals on a rolling basis, and founders can apply to be considered at any time. Goal is to have the entire process take no more than 3 weeks from presentation to wire. They invest anywhere from $10K to $100K depending on the Collective’s interest. JC prefers early-stage tech-enabled businesses. Companies must be for-profit, US-domiciled, and have an expectation of becoming large-scale businesses. "Lifestyle" businesses, single location businesses with no current plans to scale, and non-profits will not be considered. - https://joinjosephine.com/

Juntos Crecemos Hispanic Digital & Delivery Program (PepsiCo) - PepsiCo is inviting Latina entrepreneurs who work in food service to apply for eight weeks of personalized expert consultation, including best practices across operations, technology, marketing and digital presence. https://pepsicojuntoscrecemos.com/jefaowned/

Looking Out Foundation grant - The Looking Out Foundation Grant provides funding opportunities for nonprofit organizations working in various fields such as youth services, public health, women and girl services, environment, art and culture, food access and hunger, homelessness services, women's rights and equality, social justice, human rights, and civil rights. Funding up to $5000. Apply by 8/1/2024 - https://www.lookingoutfoundation.org/grant_applications

Military Entrepreneur Challenge - The Military Entrepreneur Challenge is a nationwide grant program that gives veteran, military spouse, and Gold Star Family entrepreneurs the opportunity to network, learn, and compete for capital to grow their small business. - https://secondservicefoundation.org/mec/

Miller Center for Social Entrepreneurship - Must be a women-owned or led business that ss a social enterprise that is intentional about supporting women’s economic empowerment, climate resilience, or the intersection of both and have at least $20K in income. Apply by 8/15/2024 - https://www.millersocent.org/accelerator/

Minority Business Circle - Supportive network for diverse entrepreneurs in various industries, offering opportunities like grants, loans, significant discounts on essential business products, and a comprehensive step-by-step guide with customized tools to track progress and foster growth. See link for info - https://minoritybusinesscircle.com/

Next 1B program (by McKinsey) - The Next 1B program from McKinsey is designed to support Black-owned brands in the United States. Eligible businesses are typically more than one year in maturity with anywhere from $250k-$5M in annual revenue, and sells consumer products - https://www.mckinsey.com/bem/overview/next-1b

Nordstrom Community Grants for Nonprofits - Nordstrom is dedicated to supporting causes that provide basic needs to youth and their families. They award over $2 million in Community Grants each year across the U.S. as part of this commitment. Applicants need to work within the Education, Health Care or Human Services space. Apply 10/1-10/31/24 - https://www.nordstrom.com/browse/nordstrom-cares/corporate-philanthropy/corporate-grant

Novae Grants Database - Novae Grants database are intended for small businesses with 6-100 employees, though some are also intended for larger businesses and sole proprietor startups - https://grants.novaegrants.com/

Secretsos Small Business Grant ($15 app fee) - Grant is designed for business owners who are committed to evolving, leading with integrity, and inspiring change. Whether it's hiring new team members, overcoming financial hurdles, or implementing innovative strategies, our grant provides the push you need to make a significant positive impact. Funding of $2,500. Apply by 9/30/2024 - https://www.secretsos.net/SOS_Grant

She's Connected Grant - AT&T - She's Connected by AT&T is open to U.S.-based small-businesses that are women-owned and have fewer than 51 employees. The grand prize winner will receive a $50,000 grant and a year of free AT&T service alongside a new device. Four runner-up businesses will receive $5,000 microgrants. Applications due July 10, 2024. Funding up to $50,000 - https://www.att.com/shesconnected/

Small Certified Supplier Innovative Finance Program - Targeted to small certified suppliers in California, Georgia, Kansas, Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Tennessee, Texas and Washington, the Small Certified Supplier Innovative Finance Program is designed to engage diverse suppliers in educational funding readiness training and funder matching to support capacity building. Funding for $5,000 - https://foundersfirstcapitalpartners.com/small-certified-supplier-innovative-finance-program/

SPUR (Shared Purpose, Unlimited Reach) Pathways - Through an integrated and collaborative approach, Macy’s, Inc. and Momentus will provide access to a range of capital options from microloans to growth capital to equity investments. This represents a commitment to underrepresented businesses and aims to galvanize the retail industry to invest in the next generation of entrepreneurs - https://www.macysinc.com/purpose/spurpathways

Start Small Think Big is a nonprofit that helps small businesses with high potential and limited access to the resources needed to create thriving businesses. They partner with small business owners, providing personalized business support and building connections with local communities. Applicants should have at least $500 in recurring sales over the past 3 months and total household income must fall below 750% Federal Poverty Guidelines. If you are interested in being considered as a “client” for free services, you can fill out this form https://partner.startsmallthinkbig.org/bofainstitute (check toggle on side for English/Spanish). They also offer free webinars (in Eng and Span) with upcoming events listed here - https://www.startsmallthinkbig.org/events-for-small-businesses

Stitchcrew Future of Women at Work Grant - Selected participants will receive a $10,000 non-dilutive grant and be invited to participate in an in-person retreat so they can meet other participants, capital allocators and industry stakeholders. Must be women-owned. Funding of $10,000. Apply by 8/23/2024 - https://www.stitchcrew.com/future-of-women-at-work-grant

TD Ready Challenge - The 2024 TD Ready Challenge is seeking applications from charitable and non-profit organizations that propose innovative approaches to supporting underserved small business owners to develop a business, launch a new business, or grow an existing business. Funding of $1,000,000. Apply by 9/5/2024 - https://www.td.com/ca/en/about-td/ready-commitment/funding/the-ready-challenge

Truist NonProfit Grant - The Truist Foundation supports nonprofits with grants that target leadership development, economic mobility, thriving communities and educational equity. Quarterly deadlines - https://www.truist.com/purpose/truist-foundation/grant-application

Veterans Business Outreach Center - The Veterans Business Outreach Center (VBOC) program offers resources to veterans who are interested in starting or growing a small business. There are 22 locations (soon expanding to 35) and they offer workshops, training, counseling, and mentorship opportunities. - https://www.sba.gov/local-assistance/resource-partners/veterans-business-outreach-center-vboc-program

Veteran Shark Tank - The Veteran Shark Tank was created in 2012 to promote and assist Veterans who are starting or growing their businesses. The business submitting the application cannot be older than 3 years old on the day of the competition. Funding of up to $50,000. Apply by 10/6/2024 - https://veteransharktank.com/apply/

Warrior Rising Grant - Warrior Rising strives to accept and assist veterans at any point in the process of starting their own business, whether it is only a concept or if they have actual operations. Funding of $20,000 - https://www.warriorrising.org/apply/

Waves of Change Grant - The Waves of Change Grant is an initiative to support women of color who have early-stage businesses. This service-based grant offers a range of business development services rather than direct cash. The program includes branding, website development, social media content planning, consulting, and more. Selected recipients also receive stipends to cover certain operational costs. Apply by 9/8/2024 - https://wavesofchangegrant.com/

Wells Fargo Equitable Access Boost Camp - Over the course of 12 weeks, you’ll get access to expert-led sessions, education, mentorship, a peer support network, and so much more. If you’re a small business owner ready to fuel growth and learn from the experts, apply to one of the 500 coveted spots in this immersive accelerator today! Apply by 8/16/2024 - https://helloalice.com/grants/wells-fargo-equitable-access-boost-camp/

Wish Local Empowerment Program - You must be a Black-owned business with a brick-and-mortar shop within the United States and less than 20 employees. If selected for the program, you must join Wish Local (which is free). Grants for up to $2000 - https://www.wish.com/local/empowerment

YippityDoo Big Idea Grant ($15 application fee) - Each month, one $1000 grant is awarded to a woman, age 18 or over, in the US to invest in their Business or Idea. It can be used as a start up grant, marketing grant, operational grant or whatever you need to help you to the next level with your idea or business. - https://programs.yippitydoo.com/thebigideagrantforwomen

ZenBusiness Free LLC Formation for Moms - To help mothers take the first step toward entrepreneurship, ZenBusiness is covering business formation costs and will help entrepreneurs form an LCC, track expenses, secure a business name, and more. -https://www.zenbusiness.com/moms/

ZenBusiness Small Business Grants - The ZenBusiness 2024 Small Business Grant Program offers $5,000 to small businesses who form a legal business entity (LLC, S-Corp, C-Corp). In order to qualify for this grant, you must have used their formation services in the last 3-6 months. Apply by 12/31/2024 - https://www.zenbusiness.com/grants

Zendesk Foundation Tech for Good Impact grant - The Zendesk Impact Awards are open to registered nonprofit organizations that would like to use Zendesk software to serve their beneficiary communities and help organizations scale their service response. Funding up to $50,000. Apply by 8/15/2024 - https://techforgood.zendesk.com/hc/en-us

Adebukola AjaoAugust 4, 2024Comment