DEI series (Part 3-i of 4)- Resources for BIPOC/Veteran/Disabled/Immigrant/Returning Citizen: founders
Update Feb 14 2022: Added BunkerLabs USAA Pitch to Veteran section.
Update July 27
Intro to the series:
The purpose of this series is to highlight programs/investors to improve diversity within the PE/VC space at all stages of a VC’s career ranging from support when starting their own fund to support at the start of their careers. This part is focused on resources for females. Part 1 was focused on resources for emerging managers, Part 2 was focused on females. I am having to cut Part 3 into three sections, so Managers, and Aspiring VCs will have their own section. Part 4 (this is also going to be cut into pieces) will be my commentary and observations on the state of diversity in the VC/PE space and where the community as a whole can improve.
Background:
Goal of this article is to highlight numerous resources for Black/Latinx/Indigenous/Veteran/Disabled/Immigrant/Age-specific: entrepreneurs.
Please note, this list of resources will not include any venture capitalists unless they have a grant/pitch competition or other free program specifically for a specified minority group.
Please click on the name of the resource to see the page related to their entrepreneur program/criteria, let me know if any information is inaccurate or outdated.
Resources for Underrepresented Entrepreneurs:
Regarding these resources; for pitch competitions, they should be non-dilutive funding, all trainings/peer groups should be free, and grants should be non-dilutive. If I have made any errors please let me know.
I am a big believer in diversity. If you want help practicing your pitch click the link: https://scheduler.hibox.co/muieen/meet-and-greet
U of T’s Library has a relatively nice list of pitch competitions you can find here
Startup 302: advertises over $270K in awards. Seems to target Delaware based businesses.
Benton Harbor Pitch Night: For those living in Benton Harbor.
The Big Pitch: for founders of color in Arkansas
Impact Pitch: $5K to startups and $550 to underrepresented entrepreneurs as prize money
Resources for Black entrepreneurs:
Regarding these resources; for pitch competitions, they should be non-dilutive funding, all trainings/peer groups should be free, and grants should be non-dilutive. If I have made any errors please let me know.
I am a big believer in diversity. If you want help practicing your pitch click the link: https://scheduler.hibox.co/muieen/meet-and-greet
Black Business keeps a list here: https://www.blackbusiness.com/p/black-minority-business-grants.html
Black Entrepreneurs Virtual Pitch Event: $8K in cash money.
Pitch Black: I was unable to find any information on this program
Endeavor Pitch Competition: Miami-grown startups with $25K non-dilutive financing
Black Founder Pitch Competition: $10K in cash. If they tell you that you need to also accept the $50K in VC funding, here’s a list of +4,500 VC funds across the globe. Send the appropriate VCs all an email “Hey I just won this pitch competition, because of my startup that does all this cool stuff (explain the cool stuff), can we talk over Zoom?”. Note the link can connect you to relevant stakeholders.
AXS LAW ROADMAP INITIATIVE: free legal resources for black founders.
Black Student Pitch: over $140,000 of in-kind services and prize money geared towards recent alumni and current black students.
Black Girl Magic Tour: Targeting black women, prizes are: $25K, $15K, and $10K for first, second and third place respectively.
Resources for Indigenous entrepreneurs (please note these will also include Canadian resources):
Regarding these resources; for pitch competitions, they should be non-dilutive funding, all trainings/peer groups should be free, and grants should be non-dilutive. If I have made any errors please let me know.
I am a big believer in diversity. If you want help practicing your pitch click the link: https://scheduler.hibox.co/muieen/meet-and-greet
Indian Equity Fund Grant Small Business grants: Total of $320K for small businesses in Montana
Tribal Economic Diversity Fund: $1K-$8K for startups in seven locations
Pow Wow Pitch Competition: Between CAD $500- CAD $40K in award money.
American Indigenous Business Leaders: has both a business plan and pitch competition for Indigenous students.
Business Link Pitch Competition: up to $2K in funding.
Resources for LatinX entrepreneurs:
Regarding these resources; for pitch competitions, they should be non-dilutive funding, all trainings/peer groups should be free, and grants should be non-dilutive. If I have made any errors please let me know.
I am a big believer in diversity. If you want help practicing your pitch click the link: https://scheduler.hibox.co/muieen/meet-and-greet
AARP keeps a comprehensive list of grants here: https://www.smallbizrc.org/hispanic-owned-businesses
SBDC has a list of grants here: https://www.pacesbdc.org/single-post/new-grants-available
Hispanic Heritage Foundation: offers $5K in grants
LatinX Launchpad: Awards of $15K, $10K, and $5K to first, second and third place respectively. Additional $5K for being the audience choice.
PowerUp Program: $5K grant along with coaching and mentorship for LatinX small businesses across California, Texas and New York
VCFamilia: Pitch competition awards $25K to the winner of their pitch competition.
Latino Flash Pitch: $5K in funding for first place winners.
Latinas in Tech Summit (Global): $20K, $10K, and $5K for first, second and third places respectively.
CHCI Pitch Competition: up to $5K in awards for businesses that pitch.
Resources for AAPI entrepreneurs:
Regarding these resources; for pitch competitions, they should be non-dilutive funding, all trainings/peer groups should be free, and grants should be non-dilutive. If I have made any errors please let me know.
I am a big believer in diversity. If you want help practicing your pitch click the link: https://scheduler.hibox.co/muieen/meet-and-greet
KSE: Free group targeting Korean entrepreneurs.
APCF keeps a list of grants here: https://www.apcf.org/small-business-resources
AABDC offers free marketing services for AAPI lead businesses
Resources for Veteran entrepreneurs:
Regarding these resources; for pitch competitions, they should be non-dilutive funding, all trainings/peer groups should be free, and grants should be non-dilutive. If I have made any errors please let me know.
I am a big believer in diversity. If you want help practicing your pitch click the link: https://scheduler.hibox.co/muieen/meet-and-greet
Texas Veterans Commission keeps a comprehensive list of grants here: https://www.tvc.texas.gov/category/grants/
USAA 100th Anniversary Pitch Competition: $10K for winning regionals, then you move on to Nationals where the prize is $100K.
Hofstra Veterans Venture Challenge: $47K in Seed funding (website does not explain if dilutative or not)
Military Entrepreneur Challenge: Between $15K-$2.5K for winners
Veterans Entrepreneurship Initiative: Free and non-dilutive funding
Veteran Shark Tank: $50K uncertain if diluting or non-diluting
Veteran’s Business Battle: $15K for first place
FirstWave Pitch Competition: $10K went to the first place winner
Ford Fund and Bunker Labs pitch competition: $15K to first place
The Veteran Small Business Award: Another pitch competition
IGNITE: Free training to military and military spouses sponsored by Syracuse
Vets in Tech: Sponsored by JPMorgan Chase $10K award.
Resources for Disabled entrepreneurs:
Regarding these resources; for pitch competitions, they should be non-dilutive funding, all trainings/peer groups should be free, and grants should be non-dilutive. If I have made any errors please let me know.
I am a big believer in diversity. If you want help practicing your pitch click the link: https://scheduler.hibox.co/muieen/meet-and-greet
SBA list of resources: https://www.disability-grants.org/business-grants-for-the-disabled.html
PitchFest: $75k in equity free grants + mentorship
Disability Startup Pitch Competition: Part of DC Startup Week.
Disability Startup Network: Group of disabled entrepreneurs who meet regularly to discuss best practices etc.
Resources for Immigrant entrepreneurs:
Regarding these resources; for pitch competitions, they should be non-dilutive funding, all trainings/peer groups should be free, and grants should be non-dilutive. If I have made any errors please let me know.
I am a big believer in diversity. If you want help practicing your pitch click the link: https://scheduler.hibox.co/muieen/meet-and-greet
Immigrants Rising SEED Grant: $5K in funding
NYSYLC Undocu-Hustle Grant: $1K in funding, but if you are undocumented check out their full resources section.
Resources for Older entrepreneurs:
Regarding these resources; for pitch competitions, they should be non-dilutive funding, all trainings/peer groups should be free, and grants should be non-dilutive. If I have made any errors please let me know.
I am a big believer in diversity. If you want help practicing your pitch click the link: https://scheduler.hibox.co/muieen/meet-and-greet
NIA offers a ton of funding: https://www.nia.nih.gov/research/osbr
Resources for Returning Citizen entrepreneurs:
Regarding these resources; for pitch competitions, they should be non-dilutive funding, all trainings/peer groups should be free, and grants should be non-dilutive. If I have made any errors please let me know.
I am a big believer in diversity. If you want help practicing your pitch click the link: https://scheduler.hibox.co/muieen/meet-and-greet
George Washington University keeps a very detailed list here: https://www.law.gwu.edu/sites/g/files/zaxdzs2351/f/downloads/Business-and-Legal-Toolkit-for-Returning-Citizens.pdf
