A curated list of legitimate grants, fellowships, and funding programs specifically designed to support minority-owned businesses. These resources aim to bridge the capital gap by providing non-dilutive funding, mentorship, and networking opportunities to underrepresented entrepreneurs.
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The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs are the primary vehicles for federal small business R&D. They offer significant non-dilutive funding to technology-focused startups, with specific agency priorities that often include diversity goals.
The Small Business Administration provides competitive grants to organizations that deliver entrepreneurship training and technical assistance. Minority-owned businesses can access these funds indirectly through partnered local small business development centers and mentorship programs.
This fund provides $10,000 in non-dilutive cash grants and up to $100,000 in Google Cloud credits to Black-owned technology startups. It aims to accelerate innovation and growth by addressing the lack of venture capital funding for Black entrepreneurs.
Focused on the early stages of startup development, this fund provides grants and mentorship to Black founders building technology companies. It offers resources to help teams scale from idea to launch, specifically targeting underserved communities in the tech sector.
NASE offers monthly cash grants of up to $4,000 to small business owners. While open to many, it is particularly valuable for minority entrepreneurs seeking non-dilutive funding to support specific business growth initiatives and operational costs.
Awarded monthly to a woman-owned business and annually to a female entrepreneur, this grant provides $10,000 for business development. It is open to all women-owned businesses, including those from minority backgrounds, requiring no complex application process for the monthly draw.
This global program offers equity-free funding to early-stage startups, with a strong focus on diversity and inclusion. Minority-owned founders can access capital, mentorship, and visibility through its worldwide network of innovation hubs and partners.
While primarily a VC firm, Thrive Capital has initiated specific funds and commitments to invest in founders from underrepresented groups. These opportunities often include seed funding and strategic support tailored to minority-led tech startups.
This accelerator provides grants, mentorship, and technical resources to women and non-binary technologists. It is particularly beneficial for minority women founders looking to scale their technology-driven businesses with expert guidance and community support.
The MBDA offers various grant programs and business development services to minority-owned enterprises. These resources help companies access federal contracts, private equity, and other forms of capital through a nationwide network of centers.
FedFundz lists and manages federal grant opportunities specifically for minority-owned businesses. It provides a platform to discover, apply for, and manage various government grants aimed at supporting underrepresented entrepreneurs.
Kiva offers zero-interest microloans to small business owners worldwide, with a strong emphasis on underserved communities. Minority entrepreneurs can leverage its crowd-funded model to access capital without the burden of high-interest debt.
This fund invests in early-stage, founder-led companies that are led by individuals from underrepresented backgrounds. It provides equity-free funding and resources to help minority founders build scalable businesses in the deep tech and AI sectors.
This initiative provides grants and resources to underrepresented founders, including women and people of color. It focuses on early-stage support to help businesses reach their first $100,000 in revenue through targeted funding and mentorship.
Techstars runs specific accelerator programs for minority and women founders, offering cash grants, mentorship, and networking opportunities. These programs are designed to help underrepresented entrepreneurs scale their startups with industry expertise.
While Y Combinator is an equity investor, its Startup School offers free resources and occasional grants to diverse founders. Minority-owned startups can benefit from its extensive educational content and network to strengthen their business foundations.
Forbes partners with various sponsors to offer grants and prizes to its 30 Under 30 list members, many of whom are minority entrepreneurs. Selection provides access to significant funding, visibility, and mentorship opportunities.
Cisco provides grants and resources to support digital inclusion efforts led by minority-owned organizations. These funds help bridge the digital divide by supporting technology adoption and workforce development in underserved communities.
Microsoft offers significant cloud credits, technical support, and go-to-market assistance to early-stage startups. Minority-owned tech founders can access these resources to reduce operational costs and scale their technology infrastructure efficiently.
This program provides cloud credits, business training, and investment opportunities to early-stage startups. Minority entrepreneurs can leverage Alibaba's global network and technical resources to expand their business reach and capabilities.