Can Government Programs Counter the COVID-19 Impact on Women Entrepreneurs?

Big red button with word "help" in white letters

In this July 15, 2020 piece in Forbes, author Geri Stengel explores the explosion of women-owned businesses from 2008 to present as well as inequities that still exist (and were made more apparent with the impact of COVID-19) for women and more specifically, women of color. She also discusses how federal, state, and local governments can do more to support women entrepreneurs.

Count Me In Revival Grant Application Is Open

Count Me In Revival Logo

Count Me In is the first national not for profit founded to help women grow their micro-businesses to million-dollar enterprises. They are currently accepting grant applications.

There are 15 grants available at $10K and 4 grants available at $25K each. Contestants have two weeks to complete the application starting on Wed June 24th when the link to the official application will be live. All applications are due no later than Thursday July 8, 2020 COB 5pm PST. More information can be found here.

Survival Plan for Small Businesses Handling Impacts from Coronavirus

woman in white shirt with facemask applying hand sanitizer

While published in late March (which seems like *more* than only a few months ago) this article in Entrepreneur highlights ten important items to consider as your are navigating how to keep your small business afloat during this challenging time. While you may have already addressed many of these items, it is still a useful list to skim through.

Link to Webinar “The Search for Money: How Women Can Negotiate Better Startup Financing”

Victoria Yampolsky screenshot from webinar

Click this link to access the May 27, 2020 webinar entitled “The Search For Money: How Women Can Negotiate Better Startup Financing“. Victoria Yampolsky shares strategies on how to position your company in the best light and how to create an effective fundraising strategy.

Several resources mentioned in the webinar included:

  • Diversity & Inclusion Event on June 11, 2020 with The Cavu Group (link)
  • Tech Crunch “Disrupt Now” event on Sept 14-18, 2020 (link) – you can get 10% off with Startup Station discount code: stationstartingup10
  • Startup Station’s Courses (link) – you can get 20% off with discount code: CORNELL
  • Free resources available at the Startup Station (link). The Startup Investor Search Guide is available if you join the mailing list on the homepage.

Link to Webinar “Optimize Your Financial Dashboard”

screenshot of Victoria Yampolsky from webinar

Click this link to access the April 29, 2020 webinar entitled “Optimize Your Financial Dashboard: Use Data, Metrics and Key Indicators To Drive Decision-Making” where Victoria Yampolsky discusses key financial indicators that not only help you understand your current position but also help you plan for the future. Victoria also responded to questions from those listening live.

A link to Victoria Yampolsky’s company, The Startup Station, is here.

SheaMoisture Announces Relief Fund for Women Entrepreneurs of Color

SheaMoisture company logo

Haircare and beauty brand, SheaMoisture and its parent company, Sundial Brands, has announced a $1 million relief fund to help support women of color entrepreneurs and minority-owned businesses affected by coronavirus.  Applications will be available online April 8, 2020. Entrants must complete this registration form by 11:59pm eastern time, April 10, 2020. It is a quick turnaround time! For more information, follow SheaMoisture on Instagram or check this link.

Bank of America Resources for Small Businesses

Bank of America has put together a web page with resources for small businesses that are grappling with the challenges stemming from COVID-19 shutdowns. Included on this page is a link to Facebook’s Small Business Grant program. Facebook stated that they will be providing $100 million in grants and credits to 30,000 small businesses and application information will be posted soon.

Ten Successful Shark Tank Alumni Share Lessons Learned

three sharks underwater

While most entrepreneurs will never end up on the reality show Shark Tank, there are interesting lessons to be learned from those who have. From intellectual property protection to accepting feedback to envisioning your outcome to maintaining confidence to believing your gut, this piece on Medium shares important takeaways from ten women who pitched to the “sharks”.

Apply For the Female Founder Fellowship

Since launching in 2009, the Founder Institute’s Female Founder Fellowship program has graduated over 575 female-led businsses across six continents. The fellowship program’s goal is to narrow the gender gap in high-tech startups.

If you are a woman who is working to build an enduring tech or tech-enabled company, you are eligible to apply. (This includes aspiring entrepreneurs currently working full-time, solo entrepreneurs, teams, and entrepreneurs in established companies that are pre-funding.) Click here for more information about the program.