Friends and Family #4
A weekly newsletter amplifying pitch competitions, accelerators (w/funding), and grant opportunities for founders across the globe.
Welcome to the fourth edition of the Friends and Family newsletter. I went MIA last week to work on an exciting event series around this newsletter. I will be sharing more information in an email shortly :) Also we got a logo!! Shoutout to Janina Lieser.
Keep reaching out to folks on the Commitments to Action for Black Founders spreadsheet.
On with the show!
July 27,2020| BVCC National Summer Pitch Competition
Amount: $42k cash equity infusion (SAFE) *NEW*
The Black Venture Capital Consortium’s (BVCC) mission is to increase access to capital for early-stage startup companies founded by Black entrepreneurs by increasing the number of Black decision makers at venture capital funds. To achieve this mission, BVCC programs are designed to create a pipeline of high performing Black investment professionals.
Eligibility: – The competition targets tech-enabled startups with with a focus on founding teams with at least one black or latinx entrepreneur. Companies must be domiciled in the U.S and founders must be 18 years of age and older.
July 31, 2020 | Visa x iFundWomen Grant for Black Women Owned Businesses
Amount: 10 $10k grants + 1 year of IFW Annual Coaching Membership
Visa has extended its partnership with IFundWomen to support Black women-owned small businesses in the United States through a new grant program and educational resources. These grants provide an opportunity for recipients to grow their businesses and continue to offer much needed services to their local (and global) communities. Applications are being accepted from June 30, 2020 through July 31, 2020.
Eligibility: Black women-owned business, Must be located in the U.S., Must have a minimum annual revenue of $24K or more, Must have been in business for 2+ years, Must be a business that has a product or service in market and generating revenue, Must be a growing business, Must be a consumer product or service (B2C), Must have a compelling digital presence and supporting media.
Various Deadlines (See Below) | Women’s Fast Pitch
Amount: $10k *NEW*
Selected (up to five) female founders will have the opportunity to pitch in front of a panel of investors at their regional WFP competition. Specific dates are listed below under each region. Competitions will take place at 3pm (local time). Each regional winner will advance to the 2020 Women’s Venture Summit to pitch against finalists from across the country. Women’s Venture Summit is a virtual two-day event taking place September 18-19, 2020.
Eligibility: Female founder must have formed an entity by June 1, 2020. The Company must not have raised over ten (10) million dollars in funding from combined funding source. At least eighteen (18) years of age at the time of their submission of an entry (or teams of such individuals. Registered corporations, LLC, or sole proprietorship within the United States.Must be majority woman-owned.
August 21,2020 | Pitch for a Purpose
Amount: $15k *NEW*
Digital Empowers' Pitch for Purpose competition—organized by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) in collaboration with SEED SPOT—will recognize mission-driven founders whose startups leverage emerging technology and innovation to address social and environmental challenges.
Pitch for Purpose applicants will gain access to resources to help build their startup, and if among the six leading social entrepreneurs selected to compete in the live-pitch event, founders will receive access to additional in-kind business services, mentorship, and direct capital to take their startup to the next level.
Eligibility: – Founder of a startup that is developing products or services that will have a positive impact on the community, environment, and society at large. Revenue is not required. Startups must be based in the United States and raised less than $1M in funding.
Rolling | Black Founder Startup Grant
Amount: (3) $10k grants (6) $5k grants.
A grant program for Black women or 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 the next billion dollar idea. They will also receive lifetime “ask-me-anything” access to the SoGal Foundation and SoGal Ventures teams.
Eligibility: –Founders should self-identify as a Black woman or Black nonbinary entrepreneur, have a legally registered business, plan to seek investor financing in order to scale, now or in the future, have a scalable, high-impact solution or idea with the ambition to be the next billion dollar business.
Rolling | Pledge LA Fund for South LA Founders
Amount: $500k pool of non-dilutive funding for 20 founders. *NEW*
“We're excited to announce the launch of the new PledgeLA Fund for South LA Founders, a $500,000 pool of non-dilutive funding for Black and Latinx early-stage founders in South Los Angeles. This fall, we'll be selecting 20 founders to receive non-equity funding and three months of targeted support to help take their businesses to the next level.”
“We'll share information about the fund, the application, and selection process in early August. If you're a founder of a tech or innovation-linked business connected to the South LA community who is interested in learning more, fill out this form to get updates as soon as they are available.”
Eligibility: –Black and Latinx early-stage founder in South Los Angeles.
Rolling | Mozilla COVID-19 Solutions Fund
Amount: $50k
Through this fund, Mozilla will provide awards up to $50,000 each to open source technology projects which are responding to the COVID-19 pandemic in some way.
Eligibility: Will accept applications from any type of legal entity, awardees are expected to use all funds within three months of receiving the award.
Rolling | Twitch Pitch by Lightship Capital
Amount: Prizes start at the second round, 6→ $500 6 → Winner takes $5,000. There will be $8,000 in cash prizes per season, plus $100,000 in Amazon Credits.
“Twitch Pitch is the new world way for startups to pitch real investors and get completely uncensored feedback, in real-time! This competition is powered by Lightship Capital, the awesome venture capital firm focusing on inclusion and investment in underrepresented people and places. “
Eligibility - U.S based for-profit companies.
As always if I can be helpful shoot me an email at denisha.kuhlor@grasshopper.bank - Have an awesome weekend.
D (@denishakuhlor)