U.S. SBIR/STTR programs support small businesses in R&D with commercial potential. Women in tech are urged to apply for funding. The Amber Grant offers simple applications for early-stage women entrepreneurs. Women Founders Network provides funding, mentorship, and exposure through competitions. Cartier Women's Initiative empowers early-stage, socially impactful women-led businesses. Backstage Capital funds underrepresented founders, including women and LGBTQ+. Golden Seeds finances women-led ventures with a focus on mentorship. Astia connects women entrepreneurs with capital and guidance, focusing on high-growth startups. Female Founders Fund invests in women-led startups in tech, health, and sustainability. SheEO funds early-stage women-led ventures with zero-interest loans and offers a support community. Springboard Enterprises accelerates women-led businesses in tech, media, and life sciences, providing funding, mentorship, and networking.
What Funding Opportunities Exist for Women-Led Tech Ventures?
U.S. SBIR/STTR programs support small businesses in R&D with commercial potential. Women in tech are urged to apply for funding. The Amber Grant offers simple applications for early-stage women entrepreneurs. Women Founders Network provides funding, mentorship, and exposure through competitions. Cartier Women's Initiative empowers early-stage, socially impactful women-led businesses. Backstage Capital funds underrepresented founders, including women and LGBTQ+. Golden Seeds finances women-led ventures with a focus on mentorship. Astia connects women entrepreneurs with capital and guidance, focusing on high-growth startups. Female Founders Fund invests in women-led startups in tech, health, and sustainability. SheEO funds early-stage women-led ventures with zero-interest loans and offers a support community. Springboard Enterprises accelerates women-led businesses in tech, media, and life sciences, providing funding, mentorship, and networking.
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Small Business Innovation Research SBIR and Small Business Technology Transfer STTR Programs
These U.S. government programs are designed to help small businesses engage in federal research and development with the potential for commercialization. Women-led tech ventures are encouraged to apply, especially for Phase I and Phase II funding, to support their innovative projects and bring them closer to market.
Amber Grant for Women
This grant, named in memory of a young woman who died before fulfilling her entrepreneurial dreams, is awarded monthly to women entrepreneurs. One of the benefits of the Amber Grant is its simplicity; the application process is straightforward, making it accessible for early-stage women-led tech ventures seeking financial support.
Women Founders Network WFN
WFN offers not just funding opportunities through its Fast Pitch competitions but also access to a valuable network of mentors, advisors, and investors focused on supporting women entrepreneurs. The competition is an excellent platform for women-led tech ventures to showcase their innovations, gain visibility, and potentially secure investment.
Cartier Womens Initiative
The Cartier Women's Initiative is an international entrepreneurship program that aims to drive social impact by empowering women entrepreneurs. Focused on early-stage women-led businesses, the initiative provides financial grants, mentoring, and visibility to women who are making a difference through technology and innovation.
Backstage Capital
Backstage Capital is a venture capital firm that specifically invests in companies led by underrepresented founders, including women, People of Color, and LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs. They offer not only funding but also support and resources to help tech ventures grow and succeed in competitive markets.
Golden Seeds
Golden Seeds is an investment firm with a focus on women-led businesses. They provide early-stage financing and place a strong emphasis on mentorship and advising. Their network includes investors, sector experts, and entrepreneurs who are dedicated to fostering the growth of women-led ventures in technology and other sectors.
Astia
Astia is a global network that offers capital, connections, and guidance to women entrepreneurs. What sets Astia apart is its focus on high-growth ventures led by women. Through their Astia Angels network, they provide access to angel investors who are keen on funding innovative tech startups.
Female Founders Fund
Focused exclusively on investing in the exponential power of female talent, the Female Founders Fund invests in areas where women-led startups have incredible impact: technology, health, wellness, and sustainability. They offer not just financial investment but a community of fellow entrepreneurs and access to a broad network of advisors.
SheEO
SheEO operates on a unique model where women ‘Activators’ contribute to a fund, which is then loaned out at zero percent interest to women-led Ventures selected by the community. It's particularly suitable for tech enterprises that are at an early stage but ready to scale. Beyond the financial aspect, ventures gain access to a global community of women ready to support their growth.
Springboard Enterprises
Springboard Enterprises offers an accelerator program tailored specifically for women entrepreneurs in the technology, media, and life sciences sectors. Since its inception, it has helped women-led businesses raise billions in capital. The program not only provides access to funding but also offers valuable mentorship and exposure to a network of investors, industry leaders, and influencers.
What else to take into account
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