Hello, Lady Entrepreneurs!
Are you ready to take your business to the next level? Finding the right support can make all the difference, and this list is your launchpad for success.
Below, you’ll find a curated collection of incredible grants, accelerator programs, competitions, and free resources designed to help your venture grow. Whether you’re a startup with a bold new idea, a nonprofit making an impact, or a small business looking to scale, there’s an opportunity here for you.
As you look through the list, pay close attention to the application deadlines—many are just around the corner! Take a moment to find the programs that best fit your mission and goals. And thanks to the Bank of America Institute for Women’s Entrepreneurship at Cornell University for sharing these resources!
Here’s to finding the perfect boost for your business!
🌎 GLOBAL OPPORTUNITIES
- Alibaba CoCreate Pitch 2025: A competition for entrepreneurs with a new product idea. You can pitch your vision to connect with manufacturers and investors and compete for a share of $1 million in prizes. You could get up to $40,000. Apply by 8/15/2025.
- Amazon App Store Small Business Accelerator: For app developers who made less than $1 million last year. You can get a 10% bonus on your royalty payments and AWS (Amazon Web Services) credits equal to 10% of your app’s revenue.
- Amazon Small Business Success Studio: A free service from Amazon with lessons on business topics like finance and marketing.
- American Express Leadership Academy: A training program for people in the non-profit world who want to become better leaders.
- Antler Global Startup Program: A company that invests in brand-new startups. They run programs all over the world to help you get started. Check their website for dates.
- Awesome Foundation: Gives out $1,000 grants every month to cool projects. There are no strings attached.
- Canva Pro For Nonprofits: If you run a nonprofit, you can get the paid version of Canva for free.
- Chat for Health & AI Accelerator: A program for companies using chat and AI to improve healthcare access, especially in places with few resources. Provides $320,000 in funding. Apply by 7/31/2025.
- Emergent Ventures Grant/Fellowship: This program supports entrepreneurs with big, new ideas for improving the world. You can get a grant (money for a project) or a fellowship (which means spending time at the Mercatus Center in Virginia).
- Etsy Disaster Relief Fund: For Etsy sellers who were affected by a federally declared natural disaster in the last year. You must have been a seller for at least one year. The grant is for $2,500.
- F6S List of Accelerators and Pitch Competitions: A website that lists business accelerator programs and pitch contests from around the world.
- Global Citizen Waislitz Award: For entrepreneurs with a great idea for ending extreme poverty. You could win $100,000. Apply by 6/8/2025.
- Microsoft for Startups Founders Hub: A program that gives startups free access to Microsoft’s AI tools, expert help, and technology. You can get up to $150,000 in Azure (cloud computing) credits.
- Savvy Fellowship: A 12-week online program for young entrepreneurs (age 40 and under) who want to start businesses that make a positive impact.
- Social Shifters Global Innovation Challenge: For young entrepreneurs (ages 18-30) with a business idea that helps society. It’s open to people worldwide (with a few country exceptions). You could win up to $15,000. Apply by 7/31/2025.
- South Park Commons (SPC) Founder Fellowship: A program for people who want to build a fast-growing startup, even if you don’t have an idea yet. You get $400,000 for a 7% share of your company, plus another $600,000 in your next funding round. Apply by 8/3/2025.
- Streets Global Award: For new businesses or nonprofits (1-5 years old) in the tourism or hospitality industry that are making a positive social or environmental impact. The award is for $10,000. Apply by 8/15/2025.
- Techstars Accelerators: A three-month program that helps entrepreneurs succeed by connecting them with mentors and investors. They invest $20,000 in exchange for a 6% share of your company.
- We Make Change: Connects nonprofits and startups with professional volunteers for free.
- Western Union Global Fellowship Program: A program for entrepreneurs who are refugees or from highly marginalized communities. It provides training and resources to help you grow your business. Apply by 7/1/2025.
🌍 AFRICA-SPECIFIC OPPORTUNITIES
- Founders Factory Africa Gen F Incubator: For entrepreneurs who want to build tech businesses that solve big problems in Africa. Funding up to $250,000.
- Grindstone Incubator: This program helps businesses grow with training, coaching, and possible funding. They’ll help you with a go-to-market strategy, financial planning, and more.
🇨🇦 CANADA-SPECIFIC OPPORTUNITIES
- Amber Grants: For women-owned businesses in the U.S. and Canada. They give out three $10,000 grants each month. At the end of the year, one monthly winner gets an extra $25,000. There’s a $15 application fee.
- Black Innovation Launchpad: A free online program to help build the next generation of Black entrepreneurs.
- BMO Community Giving Grant: BMO gives grants to charities and nonprofits. Apply online if your project fits their goals. Deadline is 9/30/2025.
- Coralus: A group that finds different ways to fund and support businesses. It’s free to apply.
- Distilled Intelligence Pitch Competition: For new startups to pitch their ideas to investors. Open to companies in North America and beyond. The prize is $25,000. Apply by 8/15/2025.
- Dragons’ Den Auditions: Apply to be on the TV show Dragons’ Den. You must be based in Canada.
- FoundersBoost Toronto: A 6-week program for new tech startups to help them get ready for more funding and growth. Apply by 9/10/2025.
- FoundHers Innovation Labs: A 3-month program for women entrepreneurs with tech-based businesses to help them grow and get funding. Apply by 8/18/2025.
- High Five Grant for Mom Entrepreneurs: For moms who own businesses in the U.S. and Canada. The grant is for $25,000. Applications are open from 9/1/2025 to 9/30/2025.
- Launchpad for Women Entrepreneurs: A program to help women in the early stages of starting a business. It’s available online nationally and in person in several provinces.
- Ontario Community Changemakers Program: For people in Ontario (19+) with an idea to improve their local community. You could get $5,000. Apply by 8/25/2025.
- SheaMoisture Canada Dream Fund: A grant program that gives $10,000 each to five Black women who own businesses in Canada. Apply by 8/26/2025.
- Stand With Owners Telus Business Grant: A contest for Canadian small business owners. You could win up to $75,000. Apply by 9/3/2025.
🇬🇧 UNITED KINGDOM/IRELAND SPECIFIC OPPORTUNITIES
- ACORNS: A program for women starting businesses in rural Ireland. Applications are open until September 22.
- Innovate UK KTN: A website where you can search for government grants available in the UK for all types of businesses.
🇺🇸 UNITED STATES-SPECIFIC OPPORTUNITIES
- Alliance Crypto Accelerator: A program for crypto startups that offers $450,000 in funding in exchange for a 9% share of the company. Apply by 8/22/2025.
- Amazon’s Black Business Accelerator: A program to help Black entrepreneurs succeed as sellers on Amazon with financial support, mentorship, and marketing help.
- Amber Grants: For women-owned businesses in the U.S. and Canada. They give out three $10,000 grants each month. At the end of the year, one winner gets an extra $25,000. There’s a $15 application fee.
- Andreessen Horowitz TalentxOpportunity Accelerator: This program helps talented founders who don’t have a lot of connections or money. You get $175,000 for a 7% share of your company. Apply by 8/1/2025.
- Backing Small Business (with AmEx): A grant of $10,000 for small businesses to fund projects that help them grow and last long-term. Apply by 7/31/2025.
- Bank of America’s Business Education Center for Entrepreneurs: A website with free videos and lessons on topics like getting funding and building business credit.
- Black and Brown Fund Empower Growth Microgrant: Gives a $5,000 grant to two successful entrepreneurs from underrepresented groups to help them grow their business.
- Breva Thrive Grant for Small Business Growth: A $5,000 grant given out every three months to a U.S.-based business with over $35,000 in yearly sales. Apply by 7/31/2025.
- Britt Assist Grant: Provides free business services and resources to startups and nonprofits that make less than $175,000 a year. Awards are given twice a year.
- Clever Girl Finance: One of the biggest financial education websites for women, offering free courses, articles, and a supportive community.
- Creator Innovation Fund: Offers up to $50,000 to content creators for creative digital projects on topics like pop culture, sports, or lifestyle.
- Distilled Intelligence Pitch Competition: For new startups to pitch their ideas to investors. The prize is $25,000. Apply by 8/15/2025.
- Door Dash Restaurant Disaster Relief Fund: Gives grants of $5,000-$15,000 to restaurants affected by natural disasters or other emergencies. Apply by 9/29/2025.
- EmpowerHer Grant: Gives grants up to $25,000 to female entrepreneurs and nonprofits in the U.S. that support them. Applications are accepted anytime.
- Entreprenista: A resource for women leaders with podcasts, a newsletter, and a community to help you grow your business.
- Entreprenista and Engine – Travel Credit Grant: A grant for $2,500 in travel credits for a U.S.-based business. Engine is a travel booking platform. Apply by 8/11/2025.
- eosera Foundation Pitch Competition: A competition for women across the U.S. who have been in business for three years or less. You can win up to $30,000. Apply by 9/9/2025.
- First Interstate BancSystem Foundation grants: Gives grants (minimum $2,500) to nonprofits in the states where First Interstate Bank operates. They focus on helping low-income communities.
- Foot Locker Foundation Community Empowerment Program: Grants of $25,000 to $100,000 for nonprofits in 14 specific U.S. cities that run youth programs in low-income areas. Apply by 9/30/2025.
- FORCE Microgrant: A $500 grant for women founders over 40 who are building impactful businesses. Apply by 8/29/2025.
- Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses: A program with training and support to help small business owners grow their companies. Apply by Nov 2025.
- HerRise Micro-Grant: A $1,000 grant given each month to a small business owned by a woman of color. There’s a $10 application fee.
- Hey Helen Microgrant: A $5,000 cash grant for a woman entrepreneur in the U.S. with a for-profit business that makes a positive impact. Apply by 8/29/2025.
- High Five Grant for Mom Entrepreneurs: For moms who own businesses in the U.S. and Canada. The grant is for $25,000. Applications are open from 9/1/2025 to 9/30/2025.
- Impact Accelerator Program: An online program to help you dramatically increase your revenue and get your business ready for investment. Apply by 9/29/2025.
- Independent Restaurant Coalition and Chase Innovator Grant: Will give $25,000 grants to 40 restaurants and bars that have innovative ideas for sustainability or workforce support (like zero-waste kitchens or childcare support). Apply by 8/27/2025.
- Josephine Collective: Invests $10,000 to $100,000 in early-stage, for-profit tech businesses in the U.S. They make decisions quickly.
- KFC Foundation’s Kentucky Wishes Grant: Gives grants up to $10,000 to local nonprofits in Kentucky for projects that expand access to food and shelter. Apply between 7/14/25 and 7/31/25.
- Maesa Magic Incubator (beauty industry): A program for new beauty and wellness brands from under-represented communities. Includes $35,000 in funding. Apply by 8/6/2025.
- Military Entrepreneur Challenge: A grant program for veterans, military spouses, and Gold Star Family entrepreneurs to help them grow their small businesses.
- Minority Business Circle: A network for diverse entrepreneurs that offers grants, loans, and discounts.
- Mona Access To Capital Initiative: Helps small business owners find affordable loans and grants.
- Next 1B program (by McKinsey): A program to support Black-owned businesses in the U.S. that sell consumer products and have revenues between $250k and $5M.
- NSF Seed Fund: The government invests up to $2 million in startups working on new technology in almost any field.
- Prose Emerging Entrepreneurs Grant: A $10,000 grant for a business led by someone of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, or Pacific Islander (AANHPI) heritage. Apply by 8/1/2025.
- RestorHER Micro-Grant: A quarterly grant of up to $500 for women business owners who are focused on building a sustainable business while also taking care of their well-being. Apply by 7/31/25 or in October.
- Service2CEO program: An entrepreneurship program for military-connected individuals that provides resources and training to help grow your business.
- SheScales Cohort: A program that provides a year of marketing help and advice for your business. Apply by 9/15/2025.
- ShesConnected with AT&T: A chance to win $50,000, a year of free AT&T service with a new phone, and a feature in an AT&T ad. Apply by 9/30/2025.
- Small Business Hero Grant: Nominate a small business to win $20,000 to help them continue their work in the community. Apply by 8/14/2025.
- Small Business Readiness for Resiliency grant: A $5,000 grant to help small businesses prepare for and deal with disasters.
- Small Certified Supplier Innovative Finance Program: A $5,000 grant and training program for small, diverse-owned businesses in specific states (CA, GA, KS, IL, MI, MN, NY, NC, OH, TN, TX, WA).
- SPUR (Shared Purpose, Unlimited Reach) Pathways: A Macy’s program that helps businesses from underrepresented groups get access to capital, from small loans to larger investments.
- Start Small Think Big: A nonprofit that provides free legal, financial, and marketing help to small business owners with limited resources.
- Apply for free services: https://partner.startsmallthinkbig.org/bofainstitute
- See free webinars: https://www.startsmallthinkbig.org/events-for-small-businesses
- Substack Creator Accelerator Fund: For writers and creators who want to grow their paid newsletter on Substack.
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