We are happy to share these funding opportunities and resources with you. Feel free to share this information with your personal and professional networks. We have no affiliation with these organizations - so any specific questions should be directed to them.
Here are the funding opportunities for October 2023. If you end up being awarded a grant or accepted into an accelerator or fellowship, I’d love to know about it – please share it in the comment section or email me to share your news!
GLOBAL OPPORTUNITIES (unless specified in the description)
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
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/
D-Prize: Grants to fight Extreme Poverty - Can you design a new business or NGO that delivers a proven poverty intervention at scale? The most promising teams will be awarded up to $20,000 to launch their new organization wherever extreme poverty exists. Existing organizations applying to D-Prize should have operated for no more than 18 months and raised no more than $30,000 in outside funding. Grants up to $20,000. Apply by 10/16/2023 - https://d-prize.org/
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://mercatuscenter.formstack.com/forms/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/programs
Grow NY Food and Ag Summit - The Grow-NY Food and Ag Summit is a two-day event on 11/14-15 showcasing food and ag innovations that have the power to change the path of the industry. The event will take place at the Holiday Inn Binghamton Downtown in Binghamton, New York and will be streamed virtually. 20 food and ag startups from around the world will pitch their innovations for the chance to win up to $1 million. Gain insight from industry thought leaders through panels and fireside chats, and network with an array of ecosystem players presenting their services and support. Registration to attend virtually is free. If attending in-person, use the code BOAWOMEN at checkout to receive $10 off registration. Sign up by 11/13/2023 - https://web.cvent.com/event/27f49a8c-e5ad-4259-9c26-617a18611485/summary
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/
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/
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/
Xero Beautiful Business Fund - global (Australia, Canada-not Quebec, New Zealand, Singapore, South Africa, UK and US) - Offering more than NZ$750,000 to eligible Xero small business customers across Australia, Canada (excluding Quebec), New Zealand, Singapore, South Africa, the UK and the US. Must have less than 50 employees. Apply by 10/6/2023 - https://www.xerobeautifulbusinessfund.com/
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 - Must be based in South Africa - 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://grindstonexl.com/
Tony Elumelu Foundation - To apply, you only need to be a permanent resident of any of Africa’s 54 countries. Your startup must be at an ideation stage or not a business older than 5 years. Funding of $5,000 - https://www.tonyelumelufoundation.org/
AUSTRALIA-SPECIFIC OPPORTUNITIES
Circular Fashion Fund (through eBay) - The Australian Fashion Council (AFC) and eBay Australia have just announced a $200,000 Circular Fashion Fund. The fund is aimed at startups specialising in circular fashion solutions and sustainable practices in the fashion industry. six finalists will pitch their ideas to the panel, with the winner taking away a $100,000 grant. Two runners-up will each receive $50,000. Apply by 11/10/23 - https://cloud.forbusiness.ebay.com.au/circular-fashion-fund
Optus Business Plus Mentorship Grant Program - Must be a company incorporated in Australia that is an existing Optus Business customer or be willing to be an Optus Business customer. Funding up to $5000 - https://www.optus.com.au/content/optus/en/business/optus-business-plus-mentorship-grant-competition.html
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
Boost Your Business Technology Grant - Boost Your Business Technology grant offers support to Canadian-owned small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) who want to adopt new digital technologies. Funding up to $15,000 - https://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/152.nsf/eng/00013.html
OPPORTUNITIES ONLY WITHIN UNITED KINGDOM
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
American Association of University Women Career Development Grants - The American Association of University Women is seeking applications for Career Development Grants to provide funding to women who hold a bachelor’s degree and are preparing to advance or change careers or re-enter the workforce in education; health and medical sciences; science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM); or social sciences. Funds are available for tuition, fees, books, supplies, local transportation and dependent care. Funding up to $20,000. Apply by 11/15/2023 - https://www.aauw.org/resources/programs/fellowships-grants/current-opportunities/career-development/
Black Farmers Equity Initiative Program: Acres Program - Program participants complete a 12-week learning curriculum focused on growing their capacity to take on major national contracts with corporate members. Apply by 10/30/2023 - https://nmsdc.org/acres-cultivating-equity-in-black-agriculture/
Enthuse Foundation Pitch Competition - A celebration of women who are making their mark on the food, beverage, and CPG industries. Five entrepreneurs pitch their business live in New York City in front of a panel of industry experts. November 9 is the Pitch Competition at Helen Mills Theater in New York City. Funding of $10,000. Apply by 10/2/2023 - https://www.enthusefoundation.org/pitch-competition
FedEx Entrepreneur Fund - Small businesses must be majority owned by entrepreneur with disabilities or military-connected entrepreneur. Grants of $10,000. Apply by 10/6/2023 - https://helloalice.com/grants/fedex/
Freed Fellowship - Every month, one $500 grant is awarded to an underrepresented founder in the US to invest in their existing business. No strings attached. No equity required. Grant recipients are also eligible to receive an additional end-of-year grant of $2,500. https://www.freedfellowship.com/grant1
Halcyon Future Builders Fellowship - Cohort of up to 10 ventures founded by Black, African American, Hispanic/Latinx, and Afro-Latina women and nonbinary-identifying entrepreneurs. Ventures receive training in Halcyon’s methodology on business fundamentals, leadership, investment readiness, and impact. Applicants should focus in Health, Climate, and/or EquityTech. Receive $10,000 in AWS credits. Apply by 10/20/2023 - https://www.halcyonhouse.org/future-builders-fellowship/
HerRise Micro-Grant ($10 fee to apply) - Each month a $500 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/
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/
McBride Sisters SHE CAN Fund in Food and Wine - SHE CAN Fund invests in the professional advancement and career growth of high-potential, professional women, with a particular focus on women of color. Our mission is to close the gender and race gap in leadership positions in wine & spirits, hospitality, and finance industries by providing professional development - https://www.mcbridesistersfund.org/
Microsoft TechSpark Community Engagement Fellowship Grant - Community organizations focused on creating inclusive economic opportunities will have the opportunity to apply to receive a mix of funding and contextual technical assistance through in-person and virtual support. Awarded organizations will select a member of their team to represent their organization as a TechSpark Fellow. Applicant must be US-based non-profit. Funding up to $50,000 - https://customervoice.microsoft.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=v4j5cvGGr0GRqy180BHbRzqG-8hAJq1BsU8sgfjznelUQUpCUkJVOTgyTThESk1RTURRR1JUSldUWSQlQCN0PWcu
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/
Nasdaq Foundation: Quarterly Grant Program to Empower Diverse Entrepreneurs - Only open to non-profits. Grants will be given in this area to organizations and programs that impact women and under-represented communities in one or more of the following ways: Enhance financial engagement and Improve access to knowledge and tools. Funding up to $75,000. Apply by 11/10/23 - https://www.nasdaq.com/nasdaq-foundation/grant-program
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/
Pure Leaf "No" Grants - "No" grants (grants are $2000 and open to US residents - concept is that women have to say "yes" to so much - what would an additional $2K enable you to say "no" to?) Winners receive the $ and access to a support community and resources through SeekHer's Community Care Program. Funding of $2,000. Apply by 10/31/23 - https://www.pureleaf.com/NoGrants/
Small Business Growth Fund (Hello Alice, Etsy and Progressive) - Must be a for-profit business located and registered in one of the 50 United States, Puerto Rico, or the District of Columbia with less than $1MM in revenue. Grants up to $25,000. Apply by 10/27/2023 - https://helloalice.com/grants/sbgf
Sparkplug Foundation Social Action Grant - The Sparkplug Foundation is offering up to $10,000 grant for nonprofit organizations based in the US that are working on projects that address institutional injustices, and build a just society. This include projects focused to, educate or support communities, make systemic change and/or shift power to create justice, bring music to communities. Apply by 11/2/2023 - https://www.sparkplugfoundation.org/information/
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 Path Small Business (Mastercard) - During the 4-month program, startups will have the opportunity to leverage Mastercard's network and subject matter expertise to uncover product partnerships, scale their companies and power solutions that drive safe, secure and simple experiences. Companies should be in one of following industries: Customer Service, Banking, Security, E-commerce, Artificial Intelligence, Payment Processing, Digital Lending, FinTech -https://developer.mastercard.com/programs/start-path-small-business/
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. If you are interested in being considered as a “client” for free services, you can fill out this form https://partner.startsmallthinkbig.org/bofainstitute (for English) or https://partner.startsmallthinkbig.org/bofainstitute-esp (for Spanish) They also offer free webinars (in Eng and Span). Many upcoming events are in Spanish to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month - https://www.startsmallthinkbig.org/events-for-small-businesses
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
Vela Educaion Fund Grants - ELA supports thousands of independent operators who facilitate learning outside the traditional bounds of ‘school.’ Must be US based and serve K-12 learners or programs outside of traditional public, private, or charter schools. Funding up to $10,000. Apply by 10/6/23 - https://velaedfund.org/microgrants/
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
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/
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
Women and Minority Business Owner Down Payment Grant (Bank of America) - Non-repayable grant is for up to $25,000 on SBA owner occupied commercial estate loans for business locations within select opportunity zones (Atlanta, Charlotte, Chicago, Dallas and Los Angeles) Program may expand based on pilot. - https://promotions.bankofamerica.com/smallbusiness/downpaymentgrant
STATE-SPECIFIC OPPORTUNITIES WITHIN THE UNITED STATES
If you have questions about funding/grants, resources, and opportunities for the most recent opportunities within specific US states. (Note: Several states have opportunities with deadlines in the next few days) click the link below to request this information.
Active opportunities are listed for: Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware,Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Kansas,Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York,Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas, Virginia, Washington (state) and Washington, D.C.
Information courtesy of Kirsten Barker - Program Director for the Bank of America Institute for Women's Entrepreneurship at Cornell University, of which Coach Racquel is an alumnus.