weVENTURE WBC IMPACT Grant

weVENTURE WBC IMPACT Grant is sponsored by weVENTURE Women's Business Center. Supports the growth and sustainability of women-owned businesses in specified Florida counties.

weVENTURE > IMPACT Grant | Florida Tech Florida Institute of Technology Message from the Executive Director Meet our Team Community Partners Advocacy Client Testimonials HerStory Podcast Federal Funding Disclosure IGNITE 360® Business Mentoring Women's Business Center Coaching Program ATHENA Leadership Series Peer Groups University Resources for Businesses Lean In Circles IMPACT Grant Verizon Small Business UpStart Cocoa Forgivable Loan Program Federal Contracting Conference Florida Techcelerator Summit IMPACT Summit Strong Coffee Strong Women Training Events Wine Women & Shoes Women Who Rock Awards Access to Capital Directory Resource Links SBA Resources University Resources for Businesses Endowment Fund Equity Partners League of Extraordinary Investors Scholarship Information Sponsors Message from the Executive Director Meet our Team Community Partners Advocacy Client Testimonials HerStory Podcast Federal Funding Disclosure IGNITE 360® Business Mentoring Women's Business Center Coaching Program ATHENA Leadership Series Peer Groups University Resources for Businesses Lean In Circles IMPACT Grant Verizon Small Business UpStart Cocoa Forgivable Loan Program Federal Contracting Conference Florida Techcelerator Summit IMPACT Summit Strong Coffee Strong Women Training Events Wine Women & Shoes Women Who Rock Awards Access to Capital Directory Resource Links SBA Resources University Resources for Businesses Endowment Fund Equity Partners League of Extraordinary Investors Scholarship Information Sponsors weVENTURE Programs & Services IMPACT Grant IGNITE 360® Business Mentoring Women's Business Center Coaching Program ATHENA Leadership Series Peer Groups University Resources for Businesses Lean In Circles IMPACT Grant Verizon Small Business UpStart Cocoa Forgivable Loan Program weVENTURE WBC IMPACT Grant weVENTURE WBC IMPACT Grant The weVENTURE WBC IMPACT Grant was created to support the growth and sustainability of women-owned businesses.

weVENTURE Women's Business Center (WBC) has been inspired by the Impact100 model for women-led community-based philanthropy to leverage the generosity of the League of Extraordinary Investors (LEI) and provide funding to deserving weVENTURE WBC clients.

Impact100 empowers women from all walks of life to see themselves as philanthropists and join into collective action that provides impactful funding to worthy causes in their local community. Similarly, the weVENTURE WBC IMPACT Grant is funded by LEI donations and proceeds from the mission moment at the Wine Women & Shoes Space Coast fundraiser.

IMPACT Grants are awarded to deserving weVENTURE WBC clients , helping overcome the barriers women business owners have historically faced when seeking funding. Access to capital is consistently cited as a top challenge facing female entrepreneurs. The weVENTURE WBC IMPACT Grant awards micro-grants ($15,000 or less) to fund promising for-profit weVENTURE WBC clients operating in Brevard, Indian River, St.

Lucie or Martin counties. While we cannot entirely overcome challenges entrepreneurs face in accessing capital, the IMPACT Grant is a first step to draw attention to the problem while providing direct solutions. 10% of the annual $1,000 donation from LEI members fund the IMPACT Grant program.

The number and size of grants given is dependent on the number of members. The goal is to recruit at least 100 members and provide at least $10,000 in grants each year. LEI membership is open to anyone age 18 and over and is renewable annually.

For-profit, active weVENTURE WBC clients will complete an application to apply for a grant demonstrating how the funds will make an impact for their business. Members of the LEI may volunteer to serve on committees that evaluate the grant applications, rate presentations, and select a finalist or finalists for awards.

Finalists chosen from the applications will be invited to present their presentations (Pitch Deck) at the IMPACT Summit, detailing their proposal request with desired outcomes. A committee of LEI members will vote and checks will be presented live on stage at the IMPACT Summit.

Eligibility: The weVENTURE WBC IMPACT Grant was created to support the growth and sustainability of weVENTURE WBC clients meeting the following criteria: An active weVENTURE WBC client. A woman-owned business means any registered organization or enterprise providing products or services that is at least 51% or more woman owned. SBA WOB certification is not necessary.

Family partnerships qualify where ownership is 50-50. Veteran-owned businesses or military spouse owned businesses may be of either gender to qualify. For-profit business that has been registered with the State of Florida and generating revenues for a minimum of two (2) years, is located within Brevard, Indian River, St.

Lucie or Martin counties, has 10 employees or less and is an active client of weVENTURE WBC (established with a business coach or participated in weVENTURE WBC educational programming.) Confirmed registration and completion of two class on the Verizon Small Business digital Ready platform.

Types of businesses that are not eligible for funding include: non-profit organizations, real estate investment firms, multi-level marketing companies, gun shops, shops that sell drug paraphernalia, pawn shops, bail bond services, check cashing facilities, adult entertainment facilities, and any business or service deemed illegal.

Process Eligibility/Application – The application window for 2026 is now closed and will reopen in June 2027. Application Review: The LEI Grant Committee members read, score, and evaluate the applications to select semi-finalists. Semi-Finalist Notifications and Presentation Requirements : Semi-finalists will be notified by August TBD and agree to present a Pitch Presentation of their funding request at the IMPACT Summit in October.

Finalists will receive free training and mentoring to support the development of the Pitch Deck presentation. Scoring and Voting : Committee members participating in the judging will use a Scoring Rubric for the applications and presentations.

Awards Determination : Based on the caliber of applicants, relevance of business needs presented and amount of funds available, the committee will determine the number of grants to be awarded and the amount of each grant. Grant Awards – Finalists will be presented with their checks at the IMPACT Summit, live on stage.

Post Award Support – weVENTURE WBC Business Coaches and Mentors will support the IMPACT Grantees for a 2-year period following the award to provide ongoing support to the business owner and to keep LEI membership apprised of any news and developments.

Required Reporting: Grantees are required to submit a quarterly Outcomes Report for two (2) years following the award, to report on on business developments and key outcomes such as revenue, job creation and additional capital infusions. Please contact weVENTURE WBC with any questions at: weventure@fit. edu Funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration.