Launch Pad Grant Program

Launch Pad Grant Program is sponsored by Women's Business Development Council (WBDC). This program provides grants to Connecticut's women entrepreneurs to help launch new businesses.

Launch Pad Grant Program - WBDC Launch Pad: A WBDC Grant Program Advancing Early-Stage Businesses The Women’s Business Development Council is offering grants of up to $2,500 to qualified start-up businesses The WBDC Launch Pad Grant Program offers newly established businesses the opportunity to receive a $2,500 grant to put toward start-up costs.

The grant funds cannot be used towards p ayroll/to pay yourself, r eal estate improvements (e.g. construction costs), r eimbursement for past purchases or debt repayment. Applicants complete one of WBDC’s business courses* – Guide to Plan for Success (GPS), Business Concept Clinic (BCC), or Marketing FUNdamentals (MFun) – complete an application, and compete in a pitch competition. A panel of judges determines grant awardees.

To be eligible, you must: C omplete one of the following WBDC courses : Guide to Plan for Success (GPS), Business Concept Clinic (BCC), or Marketing Fundamentals (MFun), attend 80% of the classes, and submit the course deliverable Complete the Launch Pad application Have been in business for less than two years Be 51% or more woman owned Be headquartered in CT, and majority owned by a CT resident Be in good standing with the CT Department of Revenue Services Have a business checking account or a separate account for the business Be a for-profit business registered in the state of CT Have generated revenues, incurred expenses, acquired resources, or accessed capital Be owned by a woman at least 18 years old Please note that, if you have more than one business, you may apply for a Launch Pad Grant for only one of your businesses.

The following businesses are not eligible: Childcare businesses are not eligible for the Launch Pad Grant. If your business is in the childcare industry, WBDC has other programs for you. We encourage you to visit our Child Care Business Funding page to learn more or reach out to us at childcarebusiness@ctwbdc.

org Sole Proprietors are not eligible Any individual or business who has already received a Launch Pad Grant from WBDC is not eligible Non-profit organizations are not eligible Current vendors or contractors of WBDC are not eligible.

Former vendors are eligible to apply a year after working with WBDC Medical marijuana; liquor stores and alcohol distributors; adult businesses such as strip clubs; vape retailers; tobacco shops and smoking lounges; businesses having to do with gambling; gun stores and ranges; cash advance, check cashing, or pawn shops; bail bonds; collection agencies or services; and auction or bankruptcy or fire or “lost-our-lease” or “going-out-of-business” or similar sale Frequently Asked Questions: W hy can’t I access the Launch Pad grant application from the website?

The application is only made available to those that have completed a qualifying course and met all other eligibility criteria. Eligible applicants will receive the application link via email after they have completed their course and submitted the deliverable. Do I have to enroll in a class to qualify for the Launch Pad grant?

Yes, you must take one of the four qualifying courses to receive the application link. Those courses are Business Concept Clinic, Guide Plan to Succeed, , and Marketing Fundamentals. You must attend 80% of the classes and submit the course deliverable.

As well as being an active and engaged participant. What businesses are eligible to apply? Most businesses can apply except the following: Childcare businesses are not eligible for the Launch Pad Grant.

If your business is in the childcare industry, WBDC has other programs for you. We encourage you to visit our Child Care Business Grants page to learn more or reach out to us at childcarebusiness@ctwbdc. org Any individual or business who has already received a Launch Pad Grant is not eligible.

Non-profit organizations are not eligible. Current vendors or contractors of WBDC are not eligible. Former vendors are eligible to apply a year after working with WBDC.

Medical marijuana; liquor stores and alcohol distributors; adult businesses such as strip clubs; vape retailers; tobacco shops and smoking lounges; businesses having to do with gambling; gun stores and ranges; cash advance, check cashing, or pawn shops; bail bonds; collection agencies or services; and auction or bankruptcy or fire or “lost-our-lease” or “going-out-of-business” or similar sale Can I apply if I don’t live in Connecticut?

You cannot apply if your business is not headquartered/located in CT, registered in the state of CT and owned by a CT resident. What can I use the funds for? Grants are awarded for start-up business costs.

Examples of use of funds include equipment, adding ecommerce to websites, technology that expands capacity, and training that expands service offerings. Your proposal should clearly explain how the funds will help your business. What is not an eligible use of funds?

Real estate improvements (construction costs) Debt repayment or reimbursement for past purchases I don’t know how to do projections; can someone help me? Yes, we offer free business advising to our clients. We encourage you to use our projections template linked in the application.

Your first year of projections must be broken out by month. Email info@ctwbdc. org to get in contact with a business advisor, or call (203) 353-1750 x140 to speak to our Program Specialist.

How long do I have to be in business? You must be registered in the state of Connecticut for less than two years from the start date of the class you are enrolled in. Am I still eligible if I was previously a Sole Proprietor, and only recently became an LLC or registered my business?

If you have been the primary owner/operator of the business and can provide all of the required documents needed for the application. Please note in your application the change in business structure. How do I submit my application?

We will accept applications through the application portal until 11:59PM on the due date. Emailed applications will not be accepted. Can someone review my application before I submit it?

We are happy to work with clients as they prepare their applications only after they have attended an information session or watched the on-demand recording. We highly recommend that applicants begin to prepare their applications and attachments well in advance of the application due date. Applicants are welcome to work with our Business Advisors during that period.

Once the applicant completes the application and clicks the “SUBMIT” button, the application is final and review sessions are no longer available. *Please note* If you review your application with a business advisor, it does not mean you will receive a grant, as an external review committee is making the decisions on which applicants receive grants. Who reviews the applications?

Applications are reviewed by an external panel of community partners who will select the awardees. What happens if my grant application is not approved? Can I reapply in the future?

If you are eligible and your application is not approved, you will be contacted by WBDC and given the opportunity to meet with a business advisor to help you prepare for the next round of funding. Will there be future rounds of grants? Each applicant has two rounds to apply from the time they received the application link.

If you chose not to apply in the first round, there is still 1 more round to apply. If you choose not to apply during either of these rounds, you will no longer be able to apply. Can I use the funds to franchise my business?

No. If you are unsure about what is an eligible use of funds, please set up an appointment to meet with a business advisor for assistance. Is the grant money considered taxable income? Yes, the grant money is considered taxable income.

If you are ineligible, our businesses advisors are available to work with you to support your business, at no cost to you. If you would like to schedule an appointment to meet with a WBDC business advisor, please contact our team at microgrants@ctwbdc. org.

*Please note that you can take each WBDC course only once, even if you have more than one business. **More information on eligibility requirements and the application process will be shared during each WBDC course. "WBDC has been a consistent and reliable resource as I navigate the first few years of business ownership.

Their advisors always give great insight and feedback and have helped me navigate challenging situations." Gayle Miner Phinney's. Newtown, CT "WBDC has steadily provided me with essential tools and resources that have helped my business grow.

The legal assistance program, financial training, marketing training, and equity match grant in particular have all provided integral resources." Rosemary Ostfeld Healthy PlanEat. East Lyme, CT "WBDC has been very supportive of my business by answering all my questions and providing me with valuable training, and financial assistance.

WBDC has helped me gain confidence not only in being entrepreneur but a minority in this field. I greatly appreciate every opportunity WBDC has given me." Gloria Montoya My Little World.

Meriden, CT "WBDC has provided me and my management team access to 1:1 training and support to help our business thrive. The support provided helped us streamline processes allowing us more time to interact with children and families." Shannon Bullard Julia Day Nursery.

Ansonia, CT "WBDC has opened my eyes to a few things. I can't recommend WBDC enough! The knowledge I have gained has been helpful.

I found that I am still falling short and have to get myself out and about more. I have to sit back and go through my business notes and see what I am doing, and I have found out there are a lot of things I need to be doing too." Maxine Nugent Comfort Kozi Teas, West Hartford, CT "I am very thankful for the help and guidance I got from WBDC.

Their support has made a big difference in my business. Thanks to WBDC's knowledge and commitment, I could not only enhance the quality of my services but also see a noticeable increase in my income." Zaneta Moravec Play Smart LLC.

Weston, CT Meet Some of Our Launch Pad Grant Recipients!