Updated Sept 2023. Act fast! some due dates are end of Sept. 

Black women are one of the fastest-growing entrepreneurial groups and own over 40% of the new women-owned businesses started in the US each year. Yet, in the past decade, Black women–led businesses have captured just .06% of the total venture capital funding pie.

Black women entrepreneurs are met with the greatest barriers to accessing capital. It is our goal to generate a systemic change from within. Black women founders are the fastest growing demographic of entrepreneurs out of any throughout history. These founders are equipped to solve some of the world’s largest unmet needs, and have a legacy of reinvesting in their communities and creating intergenerational wealth. 

As a passionate, mission-driven company founded by women for women, See ROSE Go is committed to a better future, an anti-racist future without fear - where we can all support our families, thrive at work, fall in love, take care of ourselves, learn, feel, live, be happy! We want to create lasting change by doing what we do best: supporting women, and now more than ever Black Female Founders and Black women business owners. Below is an evolving list we are compiling of resources to help scale and fund Black Women owned businesses. I know there are several more, this is a compilation of resource I have found so far. Please email me business and funding resources at info@seerosego.com to keep the list growing.

Events, Knowledge and Entrepreneur Mentorship

Small Business Association's Office of Women’s Business Ownership was created to enable and empower women entrepreneurs through advocacy, outreach, education and support. They offer comprehensive training and counseling on topics in many languages to help women start and grow their own businesses. To find Women's Business Center locations and additional SBA resources, visit www.sba.gov/tools/local-assistance.

The Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) developed Enterprising Women of Color (EWOC) to focus on the fast-expanding minority women entrepreneur population as a revenue generators for families, communities, and the nation. Sign up for the newsletter 

Mary Spio is an African-American female entrepreneur, she is the founder of virtual reality app CEEK, as well as a former deep space engineer for Boeing and U.S. Air Force satellite communications technician.  She shares her story and perspective on how systemic racism is perpetuated in business, and what can be done to fix it. Read more here, It Doesn't Take a Rocket Scientist to Solve the Racism Problem in Business.

Female Founder Alliance has added office hours with members of their Investors Circle and the FFA Team exclusively for Black startup founders. These office hours can be used to pitch your startup, get help with any part of what you’re working on, or to build a relationship with a new investor that can unlock mentorship and investment opportunities going forward.  FFA is mission driven to accelerate and scale female led businesses, we strongly encourage you to book as many mentoring sessions as would be helpful. 

TIE NY Angels Pitch competition, open MIC nights and mentorship: Sign up for upcoming 2023 event news near you. The TIE missions is to provide access to mentoring, networking, and funding for entrepreneurs in all stages, in all industries.

2023 Pitch Sessions with Women 2.0
Women 2.0 runs a pitch event for a different sector every week to make intros and get checks written. If you're a FOUNDER or an interested investor, you can sign up today HERE.

Inclusive Data provides free grant help and technical assistance for Black small businesses, nonprofits, and communities. Inclusive Data offers free training and support through their Black Wealth Challenges.  

Interested in being a VC for Black women? BLCK VC’s mission is to connect, engage, empower, and advance Black venture investors. Learn more here. 

Shopify Build Black: Join Shopify on September 30th at 12:00pm – 1:30pm EST for Build Black, an essential event combining some of the best in business with aspiring entrepreneurs, for an important conversation about the future of Black business and your place in it. RVSP CLOSED

Join IFundWomen of Color Creator & GM, Olivia Owens, Yie Foong, LCSW and psychotherapist, and Anna Marie Cruz, Founder of Entrepinayship, as they hold space for AAPI entrepreneurs & their allies.  RSVP CLOSED

$ Funding, Grants, Venture Capital $

DUE END OF SEPTEMBER 2023, Corporate Counsel Women of Color will award five (5) $5,000.00 Grants to women of color entrepreneurs. Apply Now.

Founder's First, CALLING founders residing in Los Angeles, Orange County, Riverside, San Bernardino, Imperial, and San Diego regions -  this one is for you. The Founders First Job Creators Quest Grant is awarding 25 diverse-led businesses in Southern California. Pre-register to apply, applications open on October. 

Fearless Fund x Master Card: The Fearless Fund + Master Card awards four small businesses across the country $20,000 grants and digital tools to help them grow their online business at four entry periods throughout the year.  Apply Now.

HerRise: The HerRise Micro-Grant provides financial assistance, with the help of our corporate sponsors and donors, to women of color creating innovative solutions that impact their community and that are often unable to secure funding for their small business. These grants are MONTHLY! Apply Now

Doordash disaster relief fund: DoorDash, in partnership with Hello Alice, has started a Fund to provide grants and resources to local restaurants across the United States and Puerto Rico affected by natural disasters. Small businesses are the center of local economies, yet nearly 40% of small businesses are unable to reopen following a disaster, according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Disaster can occur at a moment's notice and access to capital is crucial to helping a restaurant rebuild their business following a disaster. Apply by Sept 29.

NASE (national Ass, of the Self Employed) Founded in 1981, the National Association for the Self-Employed, (NASE) is dedicated to supporting entrepreneurs and micro businesses. Its grant program awards NASE members up to $4,000 to finance a particular need. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis with one rant per month. To apply for an NASE Growth Grant, you’ll need to join NASE and remain in good standing with the organization for at least three months. Learn more to register and apply.

The REI Navigate Program is a four-month entrepreneurial program open to outdoor-related businesses with at least one founder who identifies as Black, Indigenous, Latinx, Asian American or Pacific Islander. In addition to mentorship and programming, participants receive a $25,000 grant. The 2023 cohort is closed, applications for the 2024 program are expected to open early next year. Learn More

The Tory Burch Foundation X Fearless Fund and the Women of Color Grant Program - Fearless Foundation and the Tory Burch Foundation are partnering again to launch the Women of Color Grant Program. Together, we will award up to 75 deserving women of color owned small businesses $10,000- $20,000 in grants. In addition, grantees will gain access to a self-paced learning portal, which gives them access to resources, funding opportunities, and networking managed by Fearless Foundation to help continue to build and grow their businesses. Apply by April 28, 2023 Learn More 

Legal Zoom X the NBA, WNBA, and NBA G League to support Black small business owners. Fast Break for Small Business is a $6 million commitment in small business grants and LegalZoom services to help  small businesses across the country. Accion Opportunity Fund is proud to serve as the nonprofit administrator of the program. Applications are due by February 17 at 8 pm ET

The BOSS Network and Sage's Invest in Progress Grant This grant provides Black female entrepreneurs with awareness, knowledge to manage finances, operations and team. Applications are open to February 24, 2023 at 6PM ET.

FedEx Small Business Grants. 10 winners will win $30,000. Learn more and Apply.

BREAKTHROUGH PROGRAM offers a $5K grant, in addition founders will receive growth marketing strategies, and networking opportunities to scale their ventures. Applications are opened on a rolling basis for specific cities.Learn More.

Amber Grants: WomensNet founded the “Amber Grant” in 1998. The grant was set up with one goal in mind: to honor the memory of a very special young woman, Amber Wigdahl, who died at just 19 years old — before realizing her business dreams. WomensNet awards about $30,000 every month. They also offer Marketing Grants Business Category Grants and two “$25,000 Year End Grants. Apply Now Learn More. 

The Cartier Women’s Initiative is an international entrepreneurship program that was founded in 2006. The goal is to empower female entrepreneurs and is open globally to women-run and women-owned businesses. Learn More. 

Visa "She's Next" Grant opportunities:  Visa in collaboration X IFundWomen, have been creating access to funding and education for women-owned small businesses around the world through the Visa She’s Next Grant Program. Keep on eye on opportunities here. 

SoGal Black Founder Start-Up Grant SoGal Foundation has teamed up with Winky Lux, bluemercury and twelvenyc to provide at least (3) $10K and (5) $5K cash grants to Black women and Black nonbinary entrepreneurs. Awardees will also receive tactical help navigating the fundraising environment at large so that they will have a more equitable opportunity at scaling their business. Apply Here

Shea Moisture, Girls with Impact Scholarship. An online business academy for woman age 14-24.  Learn More.

In Canada - The Bay is launching, The Bay Fashion Fund, an initiative built to mentor and support emerging BIPOC designers and brands in Canada. The Fashion Fund will award one BIPOC designer(s) or brand with a $25,000 grant, coupled with a three-year mentorship program to help tackle some of the obstacles new designers face when entering the competitive retail landscape. The Fashion Fund is a part of The Bay’s extensive work to help accelerate racial equity in Canada. This grant is closed but keep an eye out for more. Learn more. 

DoorDash Restaurant Disaster Relief Fund: Has your restaurant or food service been effects by a natural disaster? $10,000 grants available for selected restaurants affected by natural disasters like fires, floods, and hurricanes.  Learn more. 

Small Business Technology Program: Your company may be able to obtain funds from the federal Small Business Technology Transfer Program for research and development needs. Learn More

Veteran Women Igniting the Spirit of Entrepreneurship (V-WISE): V-WISE offers two low-cost entrepreneur training programs to women veterans or women who are spouses of veterans. It is sponsored by the Institute for Veterans and Military Families at Syracuse University. While not a grant program, V-WISE offers valuable skill-building courses to help women start and grow businesses. Learn More.

Galaxy of Stars: Supporting Minority business owners or are thinking of starting a business. Learn More

Small Business Innovation Research: If you have a cutting-edge idea that you Apply for a Small Business Innovation Research grant. Your company can earn a $150,000 grant to establish research and development goals. Learn More. 

Ms Foundation For Women Grants: The Ms. Foundation for Women invests in grassroots, tribal, state and national organizations that are transforming policies and cultural beliefs across the U.S. Informed by decades of work in the field, we identify and support emerging and established groups poised to act when and where change is needed. Learn More. 

Caress X IFundWomen of Color Dreams to Reality Fund Program: Caress wants to provide diverse founders with the education, tools, and resources to take your dreams to the next level. 30 women of color founders who qualify will be enrolled in an exclusive 12-week crowdfunding accelerator program to set them up for a successful fundraise on IFundWomen. Each recipient will also receive a $5,000 grant, plus one-year annual coaching membership to help grow their business and reach their funding goals. Learn More 

KiwiTech Pitch Event - KiwiTech believes that real innovation is always inclusive. They launched Minority Founder Demo Days to help facilitate funding for minority entrepreneurs and encourage an inclusive mindset in startups and partners, with the hopes of creating a ripple effect of awareness around the success of minority and women-led businesses. Join KiwiTech and their network of entrepreneurs, angel investors and VCs for their next Minority Founder Demo Day. This event is free. Learn More

The Arch Grants competition:  The Arch Grants Startup Competition awards innovative, scalable, and job-creating startups with $75,000 non-dilutive grants (plus an additional $25,000 for companies relocating to St. Louis) and access to an ecosystem of resources in exchange for headquartering their business in St. Louis for at least one year. Competition applications are evaluated by over 400 investors and industry experts from the St. Louis community and around the country. Apply Today

CALIFORNIA residence: search the California Grants Portal for opportunities.  Search Here 

MARYLAND: BGE is pledging $15 million to assist Maryland's small businesses. Eligible businesses located in BGE's service area can apply for BGE Energizing Small Business Grants of $20,000.  Apply Here 

Mentorship + $10K Stipend: The Black Girl Ventures Change Agent Fellowship offers Black and Brown women in Los Angeles,  New York, Chicago, Miami, Houston, and Detroit the chance to participate in a 9-month leadership development program that includes a $10K stipend. Learn More

The Power Forward Small Business Grant program is offering $25,000 grants to empower Black-owned small businesses in New England. No deadline, always accepting applications: Learn More

The DoorDash Restaurant Disaster Relief Fund will provide $10,000 relief grants to local restaurants across the United States affected by state- or federally-declared natural disasters. Restaurants in the Midwest that have been impacted by the recent tornadoes may be eligible. Learn More

Digital Undivided funded over 1,500 women entrepreneurs in 2020, pushing their efforts by launching the Do You Fellowship. The Do You Fellowship Program will award 10 promising Black and Latinx women innovators with a $5,000 investment in their business and access to unparalleled resources and mentorship necessary to develop their businesses. Sign up to be the first to know when applications open.

Visa has partnered with Bridge for Billions to support Black and African American women-owned small businesses with an online mentorship program. Bridge for Billions offers a structured online curriculum and an active learning pedagogy to help you structure the bases of your business, review your business model, define your financial projections, create a growth plan for your venture and much more. If you are selected for the 3-month incubation journey, you will be paired with a team of two professionals from Visa who will meet with you weekly, review materials and think through challenges with you. The output will be a business plan document that you can use to sell your story and seek support, financial or otherwise. For more detail Learn more

COVID-19 Business for all Emergency Grants Program supports a national movement to lift up 100,000 small business owners to receive funding and mentorship. By completing the application, you’re eligible to receive up to $50,000 in grant funding. Learn More.

The Fearless Fund considers investments in early-stage, high growth ventures. Learn more.

Backing the B.A.R. is a NAACP initiative that is awarding acceleration grants, education, support and entrepreneurship solutions for Black-owned bars, restaurants, nightclubs, lounges, liquor stores and small businesses with, or in the process of applying for, a liquor license. This is closed, but keep an eye out. Learn More

The Shea Moisture Fund, continues its commitment to invest in the dreams of Black Women and celebrate creatives and change-makers who are creating history today. Learn more about their programs in mentorship, community, and grant.

Talent x Opportunity Fund created by Andreessen Horowitz. This fund is devoted to helping those who are lacking resources to be able to achieve entrepreneurial success. If your business idea has a solid model with potential and promise, but you identify as coming from an underserved community, this can help you.

Collab Capital, an investment fund leveraging financial, human, and social capital to help founders build sustainable, technology enabled businesses. They create growth opportunities for Black founders with early-stage startups by providing investment capital and connecting them to corporate and/or social influencers. Through their investment programs they guide portfolio companies to increased revenue and profitability instead of continuously raising valuations through modern venture capital funding. 

 Vinetta Project is a capital platform designed to unleash female drive. The D.C. Chapter lead, Dawn Myers, responds to organizational leaders on how to acknowledge the moment and fight systemic racism through their work. "The tech and venture industries must support Black founders ‘swiftly and without hesitation"

Black Girl Ventures is mission driven to provide Black/Brown woman-identifying founders with access to community, education, and leadership development in order to meet business milestones that lead to economic advancement through entrepreneurship.

1863 Ventures is a business development program designed to bridge the gap between entrepreneurship and equity. Our programs seek to accelerate new majority entrepreneurs from high potential to high growth. 

Backstage Capital has invested over $7M in more than 130 companies led by underrepresented founders. Less than 10% of all venture capital deals go to women, People of Color, and LGBTQ founders. Funding isn't a favor, Backstage sees this as the biggest opportunity in investment.

At Kapor Capital 60 out of 102 investments (59%) have a founder who identifies as a woman and/or an underrepresented person of color, 38% of our first-time investments have a founder who identifies as a woman and 34% of first-time investments have a founder of a racially underrepresented background.

Harlem Capital Partners is a New York City-based fund that has a goal to invest in 1,000 early-stage diverse founders over the next 20 years. 

The Helm is an ecomm-meets-vc lifestyle brand and has invested close to $1.5 million in 11 of the most promising female CEOs in the country. They make a point of investing in companies in industries that are outside of the traditional areas where women get funding. 

WOCStars is an early stage investment fund focused on inclusive teams and women of color. 

Quake Capital Accelerator is an amazing program focused on founders, heart and perseverance. We have personal experience working with the team at Quake and highly recommend applying to their program.

IFundWomen is a startup funding platform providing access to capital through crowdfunding and grants. Jane Walker has teamed up with IFundWomen, together with a network of powerful icons, to support 15 groundbreaking women-owned businesses across Entertainment & Film, Music, Sports, Journalism and Hospitality on their journey towards a monumental first. Each recipient will receive a $10K grant plus a one-year IFundWomen Annual Coaching Membership. Applications are being accepted on a rolling basis. 

P&G Ventures, is in search of ten (10) breakthrough, fast-moving consumable products/technologies that create meaningful differences in consumers’ lives. The ten selected founders will have the opportunity to participate in a virtual pitch day, and one grand prize winner will receive a $10,000 grant plus a chance to partner with P&G Ventures. Learn More

The Financial Gym Grant, The Financial Gym is focused on providing grants to Black women-owned businesses, and will be awarding five (5) companies a $2K grant + six months of financial training to qualified applicants in order to fuel their businesses.  Learn More

Created to help bridge the funding gap for founders, the Stacy’s Rise Project has been connecting and empowering business owners for years. But Stacy’s Pita Chips wasn’t always a household name. Mentorship and monetary support helped this brand rise from a humble sandwich cart to the nation’s supermarkets. And it’s these same resources that today’s small business owners need to succeed – now, more than ever. So that’s exactly what Stacy’s is offering to 10 entrepreneurs in their journey to make their dreams a reality with the latest iteration of the Rise Project. Learn More