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to see the page related to their entrepreneur program/criteria, let me know if any information is inaccurate or outdated.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

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Muieen Cader

I write about Venture Capital. Previous VC experience with Betatron. Advisor to startups (across the globe) and sailor.