Here is a list of resources to help women entrepreneurs fund and launch successful companies through grants, investors, and certifications.
Navigating the landscape of grants, funding, and certifications can be daunting for women-owned businesses. There are numerous resources available to support our sisters on their journey to success, but they can be difficult to find.
This article compiles a list of essential tools and platforms, such as Grants.Gov, Grantify, IFundWomen, and the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC), to help women entrepreneurs launch successful companies. (We need more women business leaders!)
Whether you are seeking federal grants, venture capital, or the necessary certifications to enhance your business’s credibility, this guide aims to simplify your search and empower your business growth.
This list is a work in progress, so if you know of any other valuable resources we should add, let us know in the comments!
Resources for Grants and Funding
Grants for 2024
We have compiled a list of grants for women-owned businesses available for the rest of 2024. We will update this list each year!
Grants.Gov
Grants.gov is a centralized platform for finding and applying for federal grants. Managed by the Department of Health and Human Services, it consolidates information on over 1,000 grant programs and offers more than $500 billion annually.
Grantify
Grantify aims to simplify and demystify the grant application process. They’ve helped secure over $100M in funding through the AI-driven portal. All you need to do is fill out a quick questionnaire to help Grantify find grants that best match your business, and they will help you along the application process.
IFundWomen
IFundWomen is a website that houses grant opportunities for women-owned businesses. To apply, you must fill out their universal grant application. They offer women-owned businesses access to capital, coaching, and connections.
Galaxy of Stars Plus
Galaxy of Stars is a grant listing page that is updated weekly with new grant opportunities. While this is a great resource, there is a membership fee of 7.99 a month to view the list of grants.
37 Angels
37 Angels has over 100 angel investors who are former entrepreneurs. They offer global investor training and have a page dedicated to female founder funding opportunities. They mainly focus on investing in early-stage startups.
Ladies Who Launch
Ladies Who Launch provides grants and networking events. Its aim is to empower women entrepreneurs and offer free resources such as business plan templates and marketing materials.
Association of Women's Business Centers
The AWBC has over 150 Women's Business Centers that offer training, mentoring, business development, and financing opportunities. Find your closest WBC here.
Certifications and More
WBENC
WBENC has many resources. They use their CORE (Certification, Opportunities, Resources, and Engagement) platform to help the development of women-owned businesses. You are able to obtain a WBENC certification if your business is at least 51% women-owned. They also offer opportunities for networking events, programs, and tools for any business to grow and succeed.
SBA Women-owned businesses
The SBA helps women-owned businesses get access to training and funding opportunities. This page has an array of resources specifically targeted for women-owned businesses. You are also able to apply for a WOSB or EDWOSB certification. Here is the list of requirements and eligibility.
National Women Business Owners Corporation
Through the NWBOC you are able to apply for a women's business enterprise (WBE) certification.
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