Category Archives: Small Business

4th Global Gastronomy Tourism Startup Competition

The Global Gastronomy Tourism Startup Competition is an inititative of the United Nations World Tourism Organization. It was created to identify challenges and support innovation in the gastronomy tourism sector.

Applications for the 4th annual competition are due by June 6, 2024. The award does not come with a monetary prize, but does have numerous benefits to help build your startup.

Eligibility

This competition is open to for-profit and nonprofit organizations from anywhere in the world who meet the following criteria:

  • Operating in the Gastronomy Tourism Sector
  • Using innovative methods in comparison to similar businesses
  • Focusing on social needs such as employability and gender equity
  • Ability to enact localized social change
  • A tested product or service
  • The potential to scale up the business in the short to medium term
  • Ability to quickly implement collaborative development of products or services
  • A committed team with the knowledge to achieve their goals
  • Adherence to the U.N.’s Sustainable Development Goals

Benefits

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Finalists will receive:

Categories

Applicants may apply in one of three categories:

  • New Technologies – Startups developing and promoting a product or service with a high technological component
  • Local Impact – Startups developing and promoting a project with a high degree of transformation and social improvement
  • Sustainability and Waste Management – Startups developing and promoting a project with a focus on sustainability and/or food waste generated by tourists

They may also apply for one of four types of product or service:

  • Physical product
  • Service
  • Software
  • New business model for tourism

Progressive® Driving Small Business Forward

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In 2024, Progressive will award 20 grants of $50,000 each to small businesses in need of a commercial vehicle through their Progressive Driving Small Business Forward Grant. Grantees will also be invited to attend a 12-week virtual Boost Camp coaching program.

Applications are due through Hello Alice by June 14, 2024 at 6:00 PM ET. Applicants are not required to be Progressive customers.

Eligibility

Applicant

Applicants must be:

  • Legal residents of the United States
  • 18 years old or older (19 in Alabama and Nebraska)
  • The leading executive of a business that meets the below criteria

Business

Eligible businesses must:

  • Be an established, for-profit business in the United States or the District of Columbia
  • Have ten or fewer employees
  • Have less than $5 million in gross annual revenue
  • Have a demonstrated need for a commercial vehicle
  • Have a clear plan for how a vehicle will help the business grow

Sole proprietorships and part-time businesses are eligible.

Vehicle

A commercial vehicle is any car, truck, van, bus, or other automobile that is used for business purposes, such as:

  • Delivery of products and goods
  • Travel to perform on-site services
  • Transportation of materials or inventory
  • Transporting people

Ineligible vehicles include:

  • Those used solely for commuting
  • Those used for a rideshare service such as Uber or Lyft, or third-party food delivery such as UberEats, DoorDash, PostMates, Grubhub, Instacart, etc.
  • Heavy trucks with Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM) over 26,000 lbs. and vehicles designed principally for use off public roads (e.g. bulldozers, farm machinery, forklifts, etc.)

Evaluation Criteria

All applications will be reviewed based on:

  • Demonstrated need for funds to purchase a commercial vehicle (40%)
  • Clear plan for growth as a result of this vehicle purchase (40%)
  • Demonstrated commitment to customers and community (20%)

IFundWomen Universal Grant Application

IFundWomen is a funding marketplace for women-owned businesses. Their mission is to close the funding gap for women, who have a harder time attracting investors.

By filling out the Universal Grant Application, businesses will be notified when there’s a match between them and a sponsored grant. They may also create a crowdfunding campaign on the platform.

Eligibility

Specific grants will have additional requirements, but to submit a Universal Grant Application, one:

  • May be any gender
  • Must be at least 18 years old (19 in Alabama and Nebraska, 21 in Mississippi)

Past Grants

IFundWomen works with many partners to sponsor grant opportunities. These have included:

  • BOTOX® Cosmetic Grant Program
  • Angel City Football Club’s Player 22 Small Business Grant Program
  • Caress Dreams Fund Grant Program
  • Johnnie Walker First Strides Grant Program

Crowdfunding

Business owners interested in creating a crowdfunding campaign should take their Crowdfunding eCourse to learn how to launch a successful campaign. Coaching is also available for those who sign up for a Coaching Plan.

American Dream Awards

Hello Alice

The American Dream Awards from Hello Alice celebrate small businesses in the United States who are living the modern American dream. Awards will be given in seven categories; businesses may apply for multiple categories.

Applications are due by April 30, 2024 at 6:00 PM ET. Winners will receive $1,000, media coverage, and access to a small business accelerator.

Eligibility

This award is open to all for-profit businesses, including sole proprietorships, in the United States.

Business owners may apply directly or be nominated by someone else. Additional nominations do not increase the chance of winning.

Award Categories

  • Big Dreamer – for businesses that have been in operation for three or fewer years and have shown they have the leadership and drive to achieve their goals
  • Community Hero – for businesses that are breaking down barriers to create jobs and build something meaningful
  • Inclusive Excellence – for businesses who have gone the extra mile to create an inclusive work environment
  • Innovator – for businesses who have developed novel approaches and changed the game for their industry
  • Legacy Builder – for businesses who have made the transition from family-owned to a broader ownership model while maintaining the values that helped them succeed
  • Resilience Rockstar – for businesses who have shown strength through adversity and the ability to adapt in the face of challenges
  • Sustainability Star – for creators of unique, eco-friendly products and services

USDA Rural Business Development Grant

The Rural Business Development Grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture provides assistance to rural areas and small towns for economic development and job creation. Funds are available for two types of projects – Opportunity grants and Enterprise grants.

There is no maximum request amount, but smaller requests will receive priority consideration. Awards are typically between $10,000 and $500,000. There is no cost share requirement.

Final applications are due February 28, 2024 at 4:30 p.m. local time. Applications are submitted through state offices which may have additional requirements and an earlier deadline.

Eligibility

Applicant

This grant opportunity is open to:

  • Nonprofit entities
  • Public bodies
  • Government entities
  • Federally recognized Native American tribes

Community

Only rural areas are eligible to benefit from this grant. The USDA defines a rural area as any area other than

  1. A city or town that has a population of greater than 50,000 inhabitants
  2. The urbanized area contiguous and adjacent to such a city or town, as defined by the U.S. Bureau of the Census using the latest decennial census of the United States.

Opportunity grant applicants must also demonstrate a reasonable expectation for economic development as a result of the project.

Allowable Expenses

Enterprise Grants

Photo by Antoni Shkraba: https://www.pexels.com/photo/man-in-black-suit-jacket-sitting-beside-a-couple-5816293/

Enterprise grant funds may be used for activities such as:

  • Rural business incubators
  • Distance learning for job training
  • Leadership and entrepreneurship training
  • Long-term strategic business planning
  • Feasibility studies and business plans
  • Training and technical assistance (i.e. business counseling, market research, technical reports)
  • Capital improvements – land acquisition and development, construction, equipment
  • Revolving loan funds
  • Pollution control and abatement

Opportunity Grants

Opportunity grant funds may be used for

  • Rural business incubators
  • Leadership and entrepreneurship training
  • Long-term strategic business planning
  • Feasibility studies and business plans

Evaluation

Applications will be evaluated on

  • Evidence of local business job creation
  • Economic need in the area
  • Applicant experience with similar projects
  • Consistency with local economic development priorities
  • Percentage of non-federal funding already committed

Application Requirements

All applications must contain

Restaurant Disaster Relief Fund

DoorDash and Hello Alice have partnered for the Restaurant Disaster Relief Fund which supports local restaurants in the United States and Puerto Rico that have suffered losses due to natural disasters.

Applications for $10,000 are due by December 29, 2023 at 6 PM ET. DoorDash may close the grant early or extend the due date at their sole discretion.

Eligibility

Applicant

Applicants must be:

  • The lead executive of an eligible business
  • A legal resident of the United States or Puerto Rico
  • At least 18 years old (19 in Alabama and Nebraska)

Business

This grant is open to restaurants which:

  • Are independently owned
  • Have been open for at least 6 months
  • Have no more than three physical locations
  • Have no more than 50 employees per location
  • Had a revenue of $3 million or less per location in 2022
  • Experienced a loss in revenue as a direct result of a state of emergency or federally-declared natural disaster in the last 12 months

Allowable Expenses

Only expenses incurred from a natural disaster which occurred 12 or fewer months ago and were not covered by insurance are eligible. Grant funds may be spent on

  • Mortgage payments, including principal and interest
  • Rent
  • Utilities
  • Operational costs
  • Maintenance
  • Supplies, including food and beverages to sell
  • Other expenses necessary to maintain operations

Review Criteria

Applications will be assessed for

  • Demonstrated need (40%)
  • Clarity and feasibility of plan for funds (40%)
  • Demonstrated commitment to the community (20%)

Wells Fargo Foundation

The Wells Fargo Foundation awards grants as part of their commitment to building a more sustainable and inclusive world. They fund projects in four priority areas: Financial Health, Housing Affordability, Small Business Growth, and Sustainability and Environmental Justice.

Grant Interest Forms are accepted on an ongoing basis. Only if your form is approved will you receive a code to submit a full application. A grant amount is not specified, but the Interest Form question “Select the budget amount for the proposed project” has the options:

  • $0-$50k
  • $101-$500k
  • $51-$100k
  • Over $500k

Eligibility

This grant is open to:

  • Nonprofits with a 501(c)3 designation
  • Government agencies
  • Native American Tribes
  • Public schools or school systems

Applicants must also be able to demonstrate fiscal and administrative stability.

Priority Areas

Financial Health

Applicants under this heading should be working to increase access to financial systems for racially and ethnically diverse and low to moderate income Americans. This access will allow them to reduce debt, grow their savings, and build wealth. Secondary categories under this area are:

  • Youth/Young Adult Financial Health
  • Adult Education Counseling, Coaching and Education
  • Asset Building
  • Financial Research and Policy Advocacy
  • Technical Assistance and Practitioner Training
  • Innovation of Products and Services

Housing Affordability

Projects under this heading should focus on making it possible for all Americans to have a safe place to call home. This includes promoting racial equity in housing and home ownership. Secondary categories under this area are:

  • Affordable Home Supply
  • Expand Homeownership Opportunities
  • Housing Stability
  • Transformation and Innovation

Small Business Growth

Applicants under this heading should provide support such as training, technical assistance, and capital to small business. Secondary categories under this area are:

  • Capital and Product Innovation
  • Technology
  • Sustainability
  • Policy, Research and Advocacy

Sustainability and Environmental Justice

Projects under this heading should be working toward a low carbon future through innovative clean technology, developing local climate resiliency, and promoting environmental justice. Secondary categories under this area are:

  • Sustainable Finance
  • Adaptation/Resilience
  • Measuremen

Stacy’s Rise Project

The Stacy’s Rise Project supports American women entrepreneurs in the consumer package industry. Approximately 10 grantees will receive:

  • $25,000 in unrestricted funds
  • 4 months of mentorship from 2 PepsiCo executives
  • A peer network with other women entrepreneurs
  • Feature on the Stacy’s brand platform
  • Spotlight on FoundedByHer

Applications are due by December 1, 2023 at 6 PM ET.

Eligibility

Applicant

This grant is open to women who are:

  • Residents of the United States, the District of Columbia, or Puerto Rico
  • 18 years of age or older (19 in Alabama and Nebraska)
  • The owner of a consumer package goods* business (sole proprietors welcome)

Business

This grant is open to for-profit businesses that:

  • Are based in the United States
  • Have annual sales of $25,000 – $1 million
  • Are willing to participate in the mentorship program

*Consumer package goods are defined as products produced in bulks and sold in retail stores. Examples include drinks, chips, and cookies.

Review Criteria

All submissions will be reviewed based on:

  • Clarity and feasibility of plan and need for mentorship (30%)
  • Demonstrated understanding of product/market fit (40%)
  • Demonstrated commitment to community (30%)

Giving Joy Grant

Throughout her travels, International Development worker Joy Kolin realized the fundamental truth that women, no matter where in the world, can create positive change when given the means to do so. In 2018, she founded Giving Joy to empower those women and help them build a better life for themselves and their communities through entrepreneurship.

The Giving Joy Grant is a $250 – $500 microgrant to give women a leg up as they build or expand their business or organization. The current grant cycle will close on September 30th.

Eligibility

Applicant

Women aged 18 or older from anywhere in the world are eligible to apply.

Project

This grant is open to projects from all fields as long as they are legal. Funds may be used to start or expand a business, nonprofit, non-governmental organization, or other entity. The only stipulations are that the project focus on women, girls, and/or families and that it is beneficial for the community.

Grant funds may not spent

  • To purchase products
  • To purchase stock
  • On advertising
  • On marketing.

Evaluation Criteria

Submissions are scored on four criteria:

  1. Alignment with the mission of Giving Joy
  2. Innovative and clearly articulated project activities
  3. Effectiveness of grant fund use
  4. Clearly defined and quantifiable impact of the project

Application Process

After you submit your application, Giving Joy may request additional information or supporting materials. From these submissions, a shortlist of 5-10 projects will be created. If you are not contacted by Giving Joy, you have unfortunately not made it onto the shortlist.

Applicants who have been shortlisted may again be contacted for more information before the final recipients are chosen. Awards will go out in January 2024.

If you receive a Giving Joy Grant, you may not apply a second time.

Incfile’s Entrepreneur Grant

Incfile helps new entrepreneurs navigate the steps required to establish their business. They also provide support through their Entreprenur Grant.

Applications for the Young Entrepreneur Scholarship Grant and the Fresh Start Business Grant are due by September 30, 2023.

Young Entrepreneur Scholarship Grant

Eligibility

This grant is open to students who:

  • Are high school seniors or attending undergraduate, graduate, or trade school
  • Attend school in the United States
  • Have a GPA of 3.0 or higher
  • Are interested in starting a business

The Award

One awardee per grant cycle will receive $2,500 for educational expenses.

Application Requirements

All applications must include:

  • A sample business plan
  • A 90 – 120 second video about how entrepreneurship will impact the applicant’s life

Fresh Start Business Grant

Eligibility

This grant is open to individuals who are:

  • U.S. residents
  • 21 years of age or older
  • Planning to start a new business OR
  • Planning to significantly expand an existing business

The Award

One awardee per grant cycle will receive:

  • $2,500 for business startup costs
  • Incfile’s Gold Package for one year, a $385 value

Application Requirements

All applications must include:

  • A sample business plan
  • A 90 – 120 second video about how entrepreneurship will impact the applicant’s life