Act Quickly! Accelerators and Grants You Can Apply to Now

We’ve passed the halfway point of the year. Just a few weeks ago, you (hopefully!) filed your quarterly business taxes. How are you doing? Are you looking for some extra funds? Maybe you want to push your business to the next level. Check out these resources, accelerators and grants made for women and founders of color. Make sure to apply fast, though – these deadlines are coming up soon. We’ve organized these by upcoming due dates to help you focus your time and attention.

Good luck applying! If you have any other sources in mind, be sure to share them in the comments.

Utilize these accelerators and grants for your business

• Meda’s Million Dollar Challenge
  • For: High-growth, high potential BIPOC-owned businesses
  • What: Funding
  • Deadline: July 11
• Luce Indigenous Knowledge Fellowship — 2022
  • For: Native knowledge holders and knowledge makers, including small business owners
  • What: $75,000
  • Deadline: July 13
• The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Dream Big Awards
  • For: Businesses of over a year and with one of two conditions
    • Less than 250 employees OR
    • Gross revenues of less than $20 million for each of 2019 and 2020
  • What: $25,000
  • Deadline: July 16
• Google for Startups Accelerator: Women Founders
  • For: Women founders in the U.S. and Canada
  • What: Mentorship, technical project support, workshops on product design, customer acquisition and leadership development
  • Deadline: July 19
• digitalundivided’s BIG pre-accelerator
  • For: Black and Latina women founders with a tech component to their business and who are preparing to go to market
  • What: Operation support, coaching, networking
  • Deadline: July 25
  • *Note: the program has a $1975 participation fee, but digitalundivided provides scholarship and payment options
• 2021 NBMBAA Scale-Up Pitch Challenge
  • For: Businesses with Black founders and at least one team member in the National Black MBA Association
  • What: Cash prizes of $50,000, $10,000 or $7,500 for first, second and third place, respectively
  • Deadline: July 26
• Amber Grant for Women
  • For: Businesses owned by women
  • What: A $25,000 grant
  • Deadline: July 31
  • *Note: this grant has a $15 application fee
• Comcast RISE
  • For: Entrepreneurs of color in the U.S.
  • What: One or more of the following benefits
    • Funding
    • Consulting
    • Media coverage
    • Creative production of a TV commercial
    • A “technology makeover” of computer equipment, complimentary internet, phone and cybersecurity services
  • Deadline: July 31

For more resources, check out this Lioness guide on finding small business grants.