Business Resources | DreamSpring

Business Resource Round-Up for December 2023 and January 2024

Written by DreamSpring | December 11, 2023
Each month, we gather the best in small business resources and grant opportunities that support entrepreneurs.
 

Verizon Small Business Digital-Ready Grant 

Small businesses can access free, personalized learning through over 40 courses, mentorship, peer networking, one-to-one expert coaching, and incentives including up to $10,000 in grant funding. Apply by Dec. 20, 2023.

 

Dear God Are We There Yet? Microgrant  

Community social-good activists — including entrepreneurs and small business owners — are encouraged to apply for $500 grants, awarded quarterly. Additional grants for Hispanic women are available. Apply by Dec. 30, 2023

Truist Foundation Watson Fellowship  

.$7,000 grants are available to Georgia-based entrepreneurs, small business owners, and nonprofit founders who lead a social impact venture or community endeavor with one to five years of traction impacting economic development in underserved and underbanked communities. Apply by Jan. 5, 2024. 

 

Leslie L. Alexander Foundation Watson Fellowship

This fully funded venture and leadership program is designed for early-stage entrepreneurs, business owners, and nonprofit founders in Houston, Texas, or the South Florida region who are working to address youth homelessness and/or poverty. Fellows receive technical and financial literacy training, as well as grants up to $1,000. Apply by Jan. 5, 2024.

Ford Fund Watson Fellowship  

This venture and leadership development program is designed for entrepreneurs who are addressing various social issues in order to enhance their ventures (ideally, in the space of mobility, transportation, or accessibility). The fellowship is open to applicants located in or making an impact in Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Detroit, Houston, Kansas City, Louisville, or Memphis. Apply by Jan. 15, 2024.

 

Because Accelerator 

Because Accelerator is a business accelerator program designed to help entrepreneurs take their innovative products to the next level. The accelerator includes a 16-week online training, mentorship, networking, and a concluding pitch competition with cash prizes. Apply by Jan. 26, 2024.

 

BMO Watson Fellowship  

This fully funded 16-week intensive virtual fellowship is designed for BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) and/or women entrepreneurs in the Midwest with early-stage impact ventures who are driving solutions to their communities’ most significant environmental and sustainability challenges. Includes grants up to $10,000. Preference will be given to applicants from Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana and Minnesota. Apply by Jan 31, 2024.

 

Restaurant Business Development Program  

$10,000 grants made available through Feed The Soul are available to culinary businesses — defined as a restaurant, food truck, bakery, bar/lounge, pop-up food stand, or ghost/cloud kitchen — owned at least 51% by a person (or people) who identify as marginalized. Apply by Jan. 31, 2024. 

 

Certifiably Green Denver   

Denver-based entrepreneur of color- and/or women-owned small businesses can apply for a variety of grants to help them become more sustainable. Apply any time.

 

Dell Women’s Entrepreneur Network   

For more than a decade, the Dell Women’s Entrepreneur Network (DWEN) has brought together women entrepreneurs from around the world to participate in opportunities to share information, resources, and insights to help scale their businesses. Membership is free, and there is no fee to join the network. Become a member today.