Pitch competitions, grants, and accelerators are all significant ways for entrepreneurs to position their businesses for growth. In addition to financial support, these programs also offer the opportunity for business owners to:
- Work with coaches who will support entrepreneurs in developing strong strategies
- Identify mentors who will provide industry-specific guidance
- Network with other entrepreneurs not only within their industry but others as well
In this week’s listing of opportunities for entrepreneurs, we are featuring several opportunities that not only provide funding, but also ongoing coaching and support.
4.0 Fellowships
4.0 is an organization dedicated to nurturing community-centered educational ideas. Through its fellowship programs, the organization helps entrepreneurs turn their ideas into a reality while providing a space and resources to make ideas become reality.
The Essentials Fellowship helps founders in the ideation stage of their business. Participants will transform their idea into a plan and receive feedback and coaching. After graduating from the program, fellows will receive $600.
The Tiny Fellowship positions entrepreneurs with an idea that is already being tested in educational spaces. Tiny Fellows will receive coaching on how to plan and execute an idea. At the completion of the program, fellows will have evaluations on how well their idea will work along with $10,000.
Learn more about 4.0 and its fellowships here. Apply by April 29.
Show Us Grant
Are you a woman who is also a commercial photographer or videographer? Getty Images and Dove are sponsoring the Show Us Grant to highlight the importance of diversity within commercial photography. Judges are especially interested in photography and videography who are sharing the stories of women, femmes and non-binary people within their communities. More information can be found here. Apply by April 30.
Visa Creator Program
The Visa Creator Program is a one-year immersion program for entrepreneurs in the art, music, film and fashion industries who would like to grow their businesses through NFTs. Learn more here. Apply by May 11.
Derby Diversity Week Ideathon
The Kentucky Derby is more than horse races. Derby Diversity Week is hosting a business idea competition for entrepreneurs called Ideathon. Held on May 2, business owners with innovative ideas — especially those in the technology industry — are encouraged to share their business ideas. Finalists will receive mentoring, support, and resources to help entrepreneurs transform their ideas into viable products. The grand prize for Ideathon is $50,000. Learn more here about Ideathon.
