- Proyecto Empower
- Posts
- Proyecto Empower 004: Week of 01/30/2024
Proyecto Empower 004: Week of 01/30/2024
Proyecto Empower equips WOC entrepreneurs with essential knowledge, insights, and opportunities to accelerate their growth.
Patricia Diaz
January 30, 2024
Hi sunshines! ☀️
I find myself more grounded in the purpose of this work and the mission driving this newsletter as the DEI backlash continues to play out. I’m a firm believer that what you put out into the world will come back to you, tenfold.
What started as a LinkedIn initiative has evolved into something more meaningful - a vibrant community of empowered women.
In the face of adversity, our resilience is a testament to our collective strength. Yet, it’s the sense of community and mutual support that will drive us forward. No obstacle can impede our determination to thrive!
Remember: Lo que es para ti, nadie te lo quita [What is meant for you, no one can take away] ✨
Goodies in this email:
👸🏽 Did a true queen forward this email to you? 👸🏽
Mindset Moves: Journal Prompt
What fears or limiting beliefs are holding you back in your business, and how can you address them?
Education & Networking
Jan 30th:
🧚🏽♀️ Leveraging Virtual Assistant Expertise | Virtual
🔗 Register HERE
💬 Learn to thoughtfully outsource virtual assistant talent to grow your business.
🔮 HealthTech Talent Mixer with NYU Future Labs | NYC
🔗 Register HERE
💬 Mixer co-hosted by NYU Future Labs and Women in HealthTech for those looking for roles, co-founders, or team members.
Jan 31st:
🌉 Finance + AI: Insights and Innovations | SF
🔗 Register HERE
💬 Join an insightful panel discussion on the intersection of AI and Finance with industry-leading experts.
🌉 Women Tech Meetup + Panel | SF
🔗 Register HERE
💬 Gathering of women in tech with a panel discussion on the importance of financial literacy for founders.
Feb 1st:
🌉 AI Symposium | SF
🔗 Register HERE
💬 Exclusive gathering for professionals and enthusiasts in FinTech, Consumer, and Healthcare. Explore the dynamic AI landscape in these sectors.
Feb 2nd:
🗽 Founder Coffee Huddle | NYC
🔗 Register HERE
💬 Come together with likeminded founders for problem-solving, brainstorming, and mutual support.
🗽 Pitch and Run | NYC
🔗 Register HERE
💬 Community for founders, investors, & operators to connect via walking.
Insider Tips
Raise Millions by Hustle Fund
Free e-book designed for first-time founders, guiding you through the entire fundraising process from pre-seed to Series A. This comprehensive guide includes essential information, along with useful resources such as email scripts, investor CRM, newsletter templates, and an investment checklist.
Funding & Resources Opportunities
Grant:
💵 Cadence Cash Thrive Grant
📅 Due Date: Jan 31
💰 Amount: $5,000
🔗 Apply HERE
🏷️ Criteria: Demonstrated impact on the community, 1 year of business operations, $35K+ annual revenue.
💡 Quarterly program supporting small businesses contributing positively to their community.
👊🏽 Addressing Anti-Black Racism in California Health Systems
📅 Due Date: Jan 31
💰 Amount: Up to $150,000
🔗 Apply HERE
🌐 Industry: Health Tech and Social Impact
💡 2-year grant period for quality improvement projects addressing anti-Black racism in California’s health care system.
📱 Chicagoland Job Creators Grant
📅 Due Date: Feb 6
💰 Amount: $4,000
🔗 Apply HERE
💡 Grant for companies in Chicago adding 1-2+ net new premium wage jobs. Includes a scholarship to the Founders First accelerator program.
Pitch Competition:
🔮 Visionary Pitch Competition
📅 Due Date: Jan 31
💰 Amount: $250,000
🔗 Apply HERE
🏷️ Criteria: Majority minority-owned, for-profit business, at least 1 year of operation.
💡 Finalists get services from MBDA Equity Multiplier team, including pitch deck coaching and virtual workshops.
🤔 Knoxville Entrepreneur Center: What’s The Idea?
📅 Due Date: Feb 2
💰 Amount: $10,000
🔗 Apply HERE
🏙️ City: Knoxville, TN
🏷️ Criteria: Pre-revenue stage, concept could lead to growth and job creation in Knoxville.
💡 Winning idea advances to the Knoxville Entrepreneur Center’s Co-Starter Program.
🏀 Black Girl Ventures x NBA Foundation: Pull Up & Pitch
📅 Due Date: Feb 2
💰 Amount: $2,000-$10,000
🔗 Apply HERE
🏙️ City: Houston
💡 Elevator pitch competition bringing visibility to innovative ideas.
🏀 Black Girl Ventures x NBA Foundation: Pull Up & Pitch
📅 Due Date: Feb 3
💰 Amount: $2,000-$10,000
🔗 Apply HERE
🏙️ City: Washington DC
💡 Elevator pitch competition bringing visibility to innovative ideas.
📢 Pitch HearstLab
📅 Due Date: Feb 4
💰 Amount: $100,000
🔗 Apply HERE
🏙️ City: NYC
🌐 Industry: B2B or B2B2C SaaS
🏷️ Criteria: Pre-Seed or Seed, MVP
💡 Pitch competition for high-growth startups with winners receiving investment and 3-months of hands-on support from HearstLab.
📣 Forum x Brex: Live Pitch Competition
📅 Due Date: Feb 14
💰 Amount: $100,000 (Equity)
🔗 Apply HERE
🏙️ City: New York
🌐 Industry: B2B SaaS
🏷️ Criteria: Raised <$1M, Pre-Seed, Tech-Enabled, MVP
💡 Pitch competition with the winners receiving investment, acceptance into Forum Ventures’ Accelerator Program, and the top two runner-up companies will also receive entrance into Founder Institute.
Program:
⌚️ MedTech Innovator
📅 Due Date: Jan 31
💰 Amount: $500,000
🔗 Apply HERE
🌐 Industry: MedTech - Medical device, digital health, diagnostic companies
💡 Access to corporate executives, investors, providers, FDA, NIH, DoD, and other stakeholders.
🏦 CAFE Fintech Accelerator Program
📅 Due Date: Jan 31
💰 Amount: $10,000
🔗 Apply HERE
🌐 Industry: FinTech
🏷️ Criteria: Post-MVP stage, focuses on financial health for underserved communities, full-time founder, willing to travel to Delaware 3 days during the program.
💡 10-week hybrid program for growth acceleration.
🍀 Just Tech Fellowship
📅 Due Date: Jan 31
💰 Amount: $100,000-$200,000
🔗 Apply HERE
🌐 Industry: Social Impact
💡 2-year fellowship supporting diverse cohorts who identify and challenge injustices in new technologies.
🩺 Conquer Detroit Accelerator
📅 Due Date: Jan 31
💰 Amount: $20,000
🔗 Apply HERE
🏙️ City: Michigan
🌐 Industry: HealthTech
💡 10-week curated program addressing unique challenges and opportunities within HealthTech sector. Includes mentoring and clinical input.
🦾 Google for Startups Accelerators: Black Founders
📅 Due Date: Feb 1
💰 Amount: None; Other Resources Offered
🔗 Apply HERE
🏷️ Criteria: Traction, Seed-Series A stage, scalable product with ML/AI, commitment from CTO/technical roles.
💡 10-week accelerator for high-potential tech startups, offering tailored technical, product, and leadership training.
🔋 Google for Startups Accelerators: Women Founders
📅 Due Date: Feb 1
💰 Amount: None; Other Resources Offered
🔗 Apply HERE
🏷️ Criteria: Traction, Seed-Series A stage, scalable product with ML/AI, commitment from CTO/technical roles.
💡 10-week accelerator for high-potential tech startups, offering tailored technical, product, and leadership training.
😷 VOA Futures Fund Community Health Incubator
📅 Due Date: Feb 1
💰 Amount: $15,000
🔗 Apply HERE
🌐 Industry: Health
🏷️ Criteria: Post-MVP stage, demonstrated traction, clear value proposition for VOA partnership, focus on health.
💡 14-week program with expertise, collaboration, business training, and tailored mentorship. Potential follow-on investment up to $200,000.
🤩 Northwestern Mutual Black Founder Accelerator Powered by gener8tor
📅 Due Date: Feb 2
💰 Amount: $100,000
🔗 Apply HERE
💡 12-week program with a concierge experience, support from mentors, technologists, industry experts, and VCs.
💪🏽 MSP Equity Accelerator
📅 Due Date: Feb 2
💰 Amount: $100,000 (SAFE for 7.5% equity)
🔗 Apply HERE
🏙️ City: Minnesota
💡 12-week program with a concierge experience, support from mentors, technologists, industry experts, and VCs.
Other:
💼 LongJump VC Investment
📅 Due Date: Jan 31
💰 Amount: $100,000
🔗 Apply HERE
🏙️ City: Chicago
🏷️ Criteria: underrepresented group in the founding team, focus on underrepresented groups or unconventional concepts.
💡 Investment fund providing connections and community.
🌱 LVMH Innovation Award
📅 Due Date: Feb 9
💰 Amount: None; Other Resources Offered
🔗 Apply HERE
🌐 Industry: RetailTech, Sustainability, and GreenTech
💡 Awarding 18 startups across 6 categories. Showcase innovation at Viva Technology in Paris. Selected startups can join La Maison des Startups LVMH.
News Watch
Submit your opportunity to be included in an upcoming newsletter.