Top Business Grants Available for Women Entrepreneurs
The whole point of the SPARK Women in Business Grants is to get more money back in the hands of women. And we wholeheartedly believe in collaboration over competition, so this list is meant to act as an easy resource for women in business who are seeking funding for their business. So if you come across an opportunity that’s not on this list, please share it with us so we can keep it updated.
Global Grants
Cartier Women’s Initiative Award
Industry: General, Social Impact
Details: Supports women-led businesses from around the world with funding and mentorship.
Grant Amount: Up to $100,000
Website: Cartier Women’s Initiative
The Amber Grant for Women
Industry: General
Details: Monthly grants awarded to women entrepreneurs.
Grant Amount: $10,000 monthly and $25,000 yearly
Website: Amber Grant
Google for Startups Accelerator
Industry: Technology, AI, Machine Learning
Details: A global accelerator program providing mentorship and resources.
Grant Amount: Varies
Website: Google Startups
UNICEF Innovation Fund
Industry: Technology, Social Impact
Details: For early-stage startups using tech to solve global challenges impacting children.
Grant Amount: Up to $100,000
Website: UNICEF Innovation Fund
IFundWomen Universal Grant
Industry: General
Details: Provides funding and resources to women entrepreneurs in any industry.
Grant Amount: Varies
Website: IFundWomen
North America
SBIR/STTR Grants (Small Business Innovation Research/Small Business Technology Transfer)
Industry: Science, Technology, Engineering, Medicine
Details: Federal grants supporting innovation in technology and research.
Grant Amount: Phase I: Up to $150,000, Phase II: Up to $1 million
Website: SBIR.gov
FedEx Small Business Grant Contest
Industry: General (eCommerce, retail, logistics)
Details: An annual competition that provides small businesses with grants to support growth.
Grant Amount: Up to $50,000
Website: FedEx Grant Contest
EILEEN FISHER Women-Owned Business Grant Program
Industry: Social and Environmental Impact
Details: Focuses on women-owned businesses committed to sustainability.
Grant Amount: $200,000 annually
Website: EILEEN FISHER
Aerie & Offline by Aerie x The Loveland Foundation’s Fast Break Grant
Industry: Mental Health, Community Impact
Details: Focused on businesses committed to addressing mental health and emotional well-being in underrepresented communities.
Grant Amount: Up to $250,000
Website: Fast Break Grant
United Kingdom
Innovate UK Smart Grants
Industry: Innovation, Technology, Science
Details: Supports innovative projects from UK-based companies.
Grant Amount: £25,000 to £2 million
Website: Innovate UK
British Fashion Council Foundation Fashion Fund
Industry: Fashion, Creative Industries
Details: Supports British fashion businesses that focus on innovation and sustainability.
Grant Amount: Varies
Website: British Fashion Council
The Prince’s Trust Enterprise Programme
Industry: General (Young Entrepreneurs)
Details: Provides grants and mentoring for entrepreneurs aged 18–30.
Grant Amount: Up to £5,000
Website: The Prince’s Trust
South West Enterprise Fund (SWEF)
Industry: General
Details: Provides grants to young entrepreneurs starting businesses in the South West of England.
Grant Amount: Up to £2,000
Website: SWEF
Europe
Horizon Europe
Industry: Research, Science, Technology, Sustainability
Details: The EU’s largest funding program for research and innovation.
Grant Amount: Varies
Website: Horizon Europe
Bio-Based Industries Joint Undertaking (BBI JU)
Industry: Bioeconomy, Sustainability, Agriculture
Details: Supports innovation in bio-based industries.
Grant Amount: Varies
Website: BBI JU
Women’s Startup Lab (WSLab)
Industry: Technology, Startups
Details: Offers mentorship and funding for women-led tech startups.
Grant Amount: Varies
Website: WSLab
Australia & New Zealand
Boosting Female Founders Initiative
Industry: Startups
Details: Helps female-founded startups grow by providing funding.
Grant Amount: Between $25,000 and $480,000 AUD
Website: Boosting Female Founders
Accelerating Commercialisation Grants
Industry: Science, Technology, Innovation
Details: Supports Australian entrepreneurs taking innovations to market.
Grant Amount: Up to $1 million AUD
Website: Accelerating Commercialisation
Primary Growth Partnership (PGP)
Industry: Food Production, Agriculture
Details: A New Zealand program that funds innovative projects in the food and primary industries.
Grant Amount: Varies
Website: PGP New Zealand
NSW MVP Ventures Program
Industry: Technology, Innovation
Details: Helps startups develop and commercialize a minimum viable product (MVP) in New South Wales.
Grant Amount: Up to $200,000 AUD
Website: MVP Ventures Program
Seed-Start Grant (South Australia)
Industry: Research, Technology, Innovation
Details: Supports South Australian entrepreneurs with early-stage commercialization of innovative products and services.
Grant Amount: Up to $500,000 AUD
Website: Seed-Start Grant
Coles Nurture Fund
Industry: Agriculture, Food Production
Details: For small and medium-sized businesses in farming and sustainability.
Grant Amount: Up to $500,000 AUD
Website: Coles Nurture Fund
Africa
Women Entrepreneurs Finance Initiative (We-Fi)
Industry: General, Entrepreneurship
Details: A World Bank initiative supporting women entrepreneurs in low-income countries.
Grant Amount: Varies
Website: We-Fi
The Tony Elumelu Foundation Entrepreneurship Programme
Industry: General, Entrepreneurship
Details: Provides seed capital and mentoring to African entrepreneurs.
Grant Amount: $5,000
Website: Tony Elumelu Foundation
The African Development Bank’s Youth Entrepreneurship and Innovation Fund
Industry: Youth Entrepreneurship, Innovation
Details: Supports youth and women entrepreneurs across Africa.
Grant Amount: Varies
Website: AfDB Fund
African Women’s Development Fund (AWDF)
Industry: Social Impact, Women’s Rights
Details: Grants for nonprofits working on women’s empowerment and social justice.
Grant Amount: Varies
Website: AWDF
