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Top 10 Best Black Entrepreneur Grants and Resources

Start or boost your business with these top grants and resources dedicated to supporting Black entrepreneurs.
Black entrepreneur and woman holding an "open" sign outside her small business glass door with a smile.

February marks Black History Month, a time to celebrate the achievements and honor the rich heritage of Black Americans. The entrepreneurial spirit is alive and well among the community — with more and more Black entrepreneurs starting their own businesses each year. But accessing the funding needed to start or grow their businesses can still be challenging among aspiring and current Black business owners.

In recognition of Black History Month, this article will explore the top business loans and grants available for Black entrepreneurs, along with some valuable resources and support to help them succeed. 

Top Grants and Resources for Black Entrepreneurs

An Black entrepreneur couple holding an open sign on top of a case filled with cakes and other bakery-themed items.  (Top Black Entrepreneur Grants and Resources Blog.)

Are you in need of funding and support? Whether you’re an aspiring or current Black business owner, this section will review some of the best grant opportunities and resources to help support you and your business ventures. 

1. U.S. Black Chambers Inc.

The U.S. Black Chambers, Inc. (USBC), considered the “National Voice of Black Businesses,” advocates for the economic empowerment of Black entrepreneurs. Through the creation of various programs and initiatives, the USBC supports a network of African American Chambers of Commerce and business organizations in their work of developing and growing minority-owned businesses. 

Not only does the USBC offer various resources and programs to help business owners succeed, but the Chambers also collaborate with lenders to provide funding opportunities for Black entrepreneurs. USBC’s Small Business Micro Loan & Grant Program, for example, is offering financing for Black business owners seeking to expand their business — from marketing, location, equipment, and hiring needs. The USBC has also partnered with Google to help promote new Black-owned businesses and Amazon to provide business financing assistance programs. 

Overall, the USBC is a valuable resource for Black entrepreneurs in search of funding opportunities and programs, as well as educational resources for small business owners. With a focus on serving the Black business community, the organization offers regular webinars and articles on the latest business news. So, if you’re looking for extra support in your business ventures, you’ll want to keep up with the USBC on a regular basis! You never know what different grant applications could be open.

Business financing isn’t one-size-fits-all. See our Best 5+ Alternative Start Up Business Loans to help you start or grow a business!

2. The Coalition to Back Black Businesses

The Coalition to Back Black Businesses is a collaborative effort to drive change within the Black business community by providing short-term relief and supporting the long-term success of minority-owned businesses. 

In partnership with American Express and various organizations, the Coalition plans to provide over $14 million in grants, training, and resources to empower Black-owned small businesses within the next four years. While the 2022 grant period is currently closed, you can still prep for the next round of grant applications — and ensure your business meets eligibility requirements.

From 2020 through 2023, the program will distribute $5,000 grants to applicants each fall, followed by mentorship and training. And a select few will receive $25,000 enhancement grants the following summer. 

3. The National Black MBA Association

With the goal to drive wealth-building and growth opportunities for those historically underrepresented throughout their careers, the National Black MBA Association (NBMBAA) has launched various programs and resources to aid minority small business owners since 1970. The NBMBAA undoubtedly has a deep and rich history of enriching the lives of Black entrepreneurs and communities.

The NBMBAA Collegiate Partnership Program, for example, helps position the Black community to achieve academic success and reduce unemployment rates. But the organization also offers numerous funding opportunities and resources for Black entrepreneurs. 

RISE, which stands for racial inclusion and social equity, is an eight-month-long paid fellowship that provides second-year Black MBA candidates and graduates in the US, UK, and Canada with a comprehensive business-based curriculum. Marsh McLennan created the RISE fellowship program in partnership with the NBMBAA and Fisk University. 

If you’re an aspiring small business owner, you can also participate in the NBMBAA Scale-Up Pitch Challenge. The Challenge was launched in 2017 to help create and support wealth-building opportunities for Black entrepreneurs. Essentially, the Scale-Up Pitch Challenge is a pitch competition to encourage the community to create scaleable startup ideas. Three finalists will be chosen to compete — and the winners will be given the unique opportunity to connect with early-stage investors and venture capitalists. The winners will also be awarded a $50,000 Grand Prize, with additional second and third-place prizes. So, if you have a great startup idea, this challenge is for you.

Follow the NBMBAA for additional funding prospects and tools to bolster your business!

Are you thinking of launching a small business or a startup? Learn the difference between startups vs. small businesses to know which is best for you!

4. Small business Education and Entrepreneurial Development (SEED)

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) created the Small business Education and Entrepreneurial Development (SEED) program to inspire and support a diverse entrepreneurial workforce. In other words, the NIH works with universities and research institutions, small businesses, trade associations and societies, investors, and other strategic partners to lead supportive entrepreneurial initiatives through SEED that develop opportunities for innovators. 

Through their Small Business Innovation (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Programs, you can access up to $1.2 billion in small business funding from NIH’s SEED fund! Plus, you’ll get the opportunity for entrepreneurial and product development support. 

Overall, the NIH sets aside funds every year to support Black entrepreneurs, and new NIH-sponsored financing opportunities are always on the horizon. Learn more about their small business funding programs here. Remember: This organization also offers a variety of business training programs, resources, and support for Black-owned small businesses — including regular events!

5. Black Founder Startup Grant

Teaming up with Walmart’s Center for Racial Equity, Winky Lux, and others, the SoGal Foundation is hosting the Black Founder Startup Grant to provide several $10K and $5K cash grants to minority business owners. 

The Black Founder Startup aims to provide Black women and nonbinary entrepreneurs with business financing, recognizing that Black women founders are one of the fastest growing demographic of entrepreneurs — and yet are the most often met with funding barriers. If you’re a current Black women business owner or have a scaleable business idea, you can apply for a SoGal Black Founder Startup Grant now.

6. The Google For Startups Black Founders Fund

The Google for Startups Black Founders Fund provides over $150K in cash awards and hands-on support to help Black entrepreneurs build and grow their businesses. Recipients also receive up to $100K in Google Cloud credits, hands-on mentorship, and leadership training. 

Since 2020, the program has awarded more than $30 million to help Black-led startups in Africa, Brazil, Europe, and the U.S. secure funding, strengthen communities, and create generational change. 

This program is open to: 

  • Diverse companies with at least one Black founder
  • Companies between pre-seed and Series A
  • Businesses with a scaleable product or service that are ready to go global

Thanks to Google’s program, countless startups have thrived and built generational wealth. One shining example is Propel, a company aimed at helping businesses collaborate with over 200+ tech and development countries around the world. Through the Black Founders fund, their tech team tripled in size, their product strategy sharpened, and they successfully launched their community platform. With their revenue almost doubling month-over-month, Propel now operates with 400,000 members across 22 countries and three continents. 

7. Harlem Capital

Harlem Capital stands as a pioneering venture capital firm specializing in seed-stage and tech-enabled startups with a strong commitment to empowering minority and women founders. Their mission? To reshape the entrepreneurial landscape by backing 1,000 diverse founders over the next two decades. 

Committed to building generational wealth for people of color and women, Harlem Capital introduced “culture carry,” where founders can divide one percent of the fund’s carry — creating a collaborative ecosystem where each founder’s achievements benefit the entire community.

Currently managing $174mm across two funds, HCP makes investments of $250k to $1mm in Seed and Series A companies, focusing on investing in minority and women founders in the U.S. If you meet the criteria and are interested in jumpstarting your business, fill out the Harlem Capital Investment Form.

8. The BLCK VC Fellowship

By empowering Black investors with the resources they need to advance in venture capital, BLCK VC aims to achieve economic equality, drive generational wealth, and strengthen diverse communities. As a non-profit organization, they’re changing the venture capital game through education, community support, and mentorship. 

BLCK VC offers three programs: The Black Venture Institute, Breaking Into Venture, and Fund Forward.

  • The Black Venture Institute opens doors to opportunity, knowledge, and a supportive network for Black operators and executives aspiring to venture into the world of angel investing, scouting, and venture capital. In the span of the next three years, 300 Black Venture Institute fellows will graduate into the venture ecosystem — propelling venture capital firms to become more inclusive in their hiring, deal flow, and portfolios.
  • Breaking Into Venture paves the way for early-career professionals seeking entry into the realm of Venture Capital. This immersive 9-week program is curated to prepare individuals for successful transitions into roles at the Analyst, Associate, and Senior Associate levels.
  • Fund Forward is driving change in the venture capital world by addressing the racial funding gap head-on. Their mission is to mobilize $1 billion in limited partner and operating capital for Black-led venture funds by 2030, creating a more inclusive and equitable ecosystem for innovation and investment throughout the U.S. 

If you’re looking to break into the venture capital world or get involved in BLCK VS’s vision, visit their website at blckvc.org to learn more. 

9. The Black Ambition Prize

Launched by artist and producer Pharrell Williams, Black Ambition is a non-profit initiative to fund and support early-stage Black and Hispanic entrepreneurs. Black Ambition’s goal is to fund bold innovations, help reduce barriers to capital — and bridge the wealth gap through entrepreneurship. 

Through Black Ambition, eligible Black and Hispanic entrepreneurs can participate in mentorship programs and win up to $1 million in funding. The application period is open for two and a half months. Semifinalists who make the cut enter a mentorship cohort, where they fine-tune their applications and make significant strides with their ventures. The much-anticipated Black Ambition Demo Day is when the grand prize champions are crowned. 

Under the broader initiative’s umbrella lies the Black Ambition HBCU Prize, which extends prizes to current and former students from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). These individuals are encouraged to nurture their seed and early-stage concepts, launching companies specializing in technology, design, healthcare, and consumer products and services. The most outstanding recipient of the Black Ambition HBCU Prize will have the opportunity to secure up to $250,000, and a minimum of nine additional teams will be recognized with smaller prizes.

Learn more about the Black Ambition and apply now for the Black Ambition Prize on their website

10. The Fearless Fund

The Fearless Fund is built by women of color — for women of color. As a venture capital firm, the Fearless Fund specializes in investing in women of color-led businesses, whether they’re in the pre or early seed stages of their journeys.

Founded in 2019 by Arian Simone and Keshia Knight Pulliam, the Fearless Fund aims to narrow the funding gap that women of color founders often face while establishing scaleable, growth-focused enterprises. The initiative considers investments in early-stage, high-growth ventures that meet the following criteria: 

  • At least one woman of color co-founder with significant equity in the company
  • Capable, full-time management teams with industry knowledge, an understanding of competitors and market share, and a strong commitment to execution 
  • The venture should have a sustainable competitive advantage, such as high entry barriers, disruptive technology, or unique partnerships
  • A C Corporation or LLC working toward incorporation with a robust business model, a 5-year pro forma, and a clear exit strategy
  • Ventures that are rapidly scalable and generate strong returns are prioritized 

Learn all about the Fearless Fund and apply on their website

Want to turn your passion into a full-time job? Learn how to Turn Your Hobby into a Money-Making Business.

Funding Your Dream Business

Black business owners of a restaurant looking at a laptop screen together and smiling.

As we celebrate Black History Month, it’s important to recognize that Black entrepreneurs continue to face the most obstacles in accessing funding and resources. Luckily, many organizations — from the USBC to the NBMBAA — offer a wide range of programs to help bridge the gap. Whether you have a startup idea or an established business, these grant opportunities and resources mentioned can play a significant role in your entrepreneurial endeavors. 

Guidant can also help you devise the best funding solution and support your business throughout its lifetime. We take an education-first approach to business financing. That means you’ll have a dedicated team of experts working to help you meet your goals — all with your unique financial and business situation in mind.

Call us today at 425-289-3200 for a free, no-pressure business consultation to get started — or pre-qualify in minutes for business financing now!

Daniella Cornue, a smiling woman with black long hair. Owner of Le Village Co Work, a small business in Chicago.

“I knew that I needed a funding partner that would be a reflection of the community we are trying to serve — and that is really where Guidant shines.”

Daniella Cornue, Le Village Cowork

Read the stories of REAL small business owners who work with Guidant.

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