Women Owned Business Grants

As a woman striking out in the world of business, there are still plenty of societal hurdles to navigate — that’s why we’ve compiled a list of the top resources and grants for women-owned businesses.

In the United States today, women account for more than 12 million US businesses and start over 1,800 companies each day. That accounts for nearly $2 trillion in revenue annually; without women entrepreneurs, the economy would crumble.

If you’re considering striking out into the business world, take advantage of the resources below.

Training and Education

Continuous education is essential to guide your business toward success. Here are some great resources to learn essential skills:

Association of Women’s Business Centers

Association of Women’s Business Centers is a great resource for networking, training, mentorship, and developing business and financial skills to help women entrepreneurs set themselves up for success.

Project Entrepreneur

This organization hosts conferences and provides resources for women who own their own businesses. Its resources include a training accelerator for entrepreneurs that puts them on track for funding and connections.

Center for Women & Enterprise

Focusing on women-led businesses in New England, the CWE provides training, education, certifications, microloans, and technical assistance to women entrepreneurs.

FinImpact

This organization has created an incredibly useful guide for writing a business plan.

8(a) Business Development Program

This SBA program helps small, women- and minority-owned businesses gain a competitive advantage.

SpringBoard

An expert network focused on tech startups owned and led by women.

Ladies Who Launch

This connection hub is on a mission to “support, celebrate, and educate women entrepreneurs throughout the world” through its online academy and experiential events.

New Economics for Women (NEW)

NEW is a nonprofit committed to helping women gain financial skills like understanding credit and revenue flow.

WBENC Scholarship Program

The Women’s Business Enterprise National Council funds the Dorothy B. Brothers Executive Scholarship, providing up to $11,000 in tuition money for women who desire an executive education.

Moms as Entrepreneurs

This nonprofit seeks to support mothers who are starting their own businesses. It hosts events and classes and works hard to connect mom entrepreneurs with capital.

Funding and Grants for Women-owned Businesses

Accessing capital is essential for new business owners. Here are some of the best resources to find investment:

Cherie Blair Foundation for Women

Women entrepreneurs gain access to funding and education on finances and tech skills.

Women’s Startup Challenge & Telesummit

This pitch competition awards $50,000 to the winning woman entrepreneur.

#Angels

Angels is a women-led investment organization for women-owned tech startups.

Tory Burch Foundation

This nonprofit provides grants for women entrepreneurs, as well as valuable connections to others for mentoring and advice. It focuses on businesses with a socially conscious mission.

Women Venture Capital Firm

An organization that provides funding to women-owned businesses via an online application.

The Red Backpack Fund

The SPANX by Sara Blakely Foundation sponsors this fund in conjunction with GlobalGiving. It gives $5,000 grants to 1,000 women entrepreneurs around the world.

Lipstick Foundation

Lipstick Foundation is committed to empowering women with business scholarships.

37 Angels

37 Angels puts women business owners in touch with angel investors.

Women Who Tech

Women Who Tech is committed to closing the investment gender gap in startups by providing connections between business owners and investors.

Aspen Capital Fund

Specializing in women-owned businesses, Aspen offers funding and education for entrepreneurs.

SoGal Ventures

SoGal Ventures (one of the best-named groups in a large field of creatives names) is a woman-led VC firm that invests in companies in their early stages. It also provides mentorship and resources to help companies grow.

Grants for Women

This website provides a comprehensive list of funding sources for women entrepreneurs, including some that don’t often appear on lists like this one. It is frequently updated.

TopStone Angels

TopStone Angels offers startup funding from a woman-founded group of angel investors.

Commercial Capital Training Group

A great resource to find additional organizations and groups for women entrepreneurs to learn skills and obtain funding.

Merge Lane

This tried-and-tested firm offers a 12-week accelerator program for women who lead their own businesses.

Cartier Women’s Initiative Awards

This competition awards winning women entrepreneurs with funding, coaching, and mentoring.

iFundWomen

This debt-free, crowdfunding-based funding seeks to train and mentor women through raising money for their businesses.

The Halstead Grant

Halstead Bead, Inc. awards $6,000 cash and an additional $1,000 in its jewelry supplies, as well as free marketing for women-owned jewelry designers on its social platforms. Businesses less than 3 years old are eligible.