*Thanks for your interest in the FUND Bootcamp. Please note that we will not be offering this program in 2024. Follow us on social at @lwlglobal to stay updated on all things Ladies Who Launch - more to come!
About the Program
One Week Virtual Bootcamp on Small Business Funding
Ladies Who Launch supported women and non-binary small business owners in new ways in 2023! The FUND Bootcamp is a new program that provided 120 women and non-binary small business owners across four U.S. cities the opportunity to learn about funding and financing options during five days of virtual workshops.
Thirty women and non-binary small business owners across all industries, with gross annual revenue between $25,000 and $199,999, were selected in each city to participate in the week-long virtual bootcamp. The program culminated with a pitch competition where FUND Bootcamp participants had the chance to win a cash prize to support their business’s growth.
In 2023,
The FUND Bootcamp came to four cities:
Atlanta, GA
Program Dates:
October 23 - 27, 2023
Pitch Competition:
November 2, 2023
Baltimore, MD
Program Dates:
September 11 - 15, 2023
Pitch Competition:
September 21, 2023
Denver, CO
Program Dates:
July 31 - August 4, 2023
Pitch Competition:
August 10, 2023
Detroit, MI
Program Dates:
August 21 - 25, 2023
Pitch Competition:
August 31, 2023
FUND Denver Pitch Winners
$5,000 Grand Prize Winner
Orion Brown
Founder,
The Black Travel Box
$1,500 Runner Up Winner
Jamie Blanchard-Poling
Founder,
Compost Queen PBC
FUND Detroit Pitch Winners
$5,000 Grand Prize Winner
Angela Buccellato
Founder,
The Resume Rescue
$1,500 Runner Up Winner
Brittany Waters
Founder,
Behold Beauty
FUND Baltimore Pitch Winners
$5,000 Grand Prize Winner
Jordan Drumm
Founder,
Drumm Digital Media
$1,500 Runner Up Winner
Hyacinth Tucker
Founder,
The Laundry Basket LLC
FUND Atlanta Pitch Winners
$5,000 Grand Prize Winner
Ceal "Coach KB" Hoskie
Founder,
Ready To Live Soaps
$1,500 Runner Up Winner
Angela Hawkins
Founder,
Bamblu
FUND Bootcamp Benefits
The FUND Bootcamps, which will include two-hour sessions over five days, will feature small business financing experts, entrepreneurs, and more to help small business owners answer these important questions:
What financing options are available?
Bootstrapping isn’t your only option to start and grow your business! The FUND Bootcamp will introduce you to various funding options like loans and lines of credit.
What funding is right for my business?
The FUND Bootcamp will help you understand and evaluate your funding options to scale and grow your business. We’ll help you learn how to assess your financing options and understand high-risk vs. low-risk funding opportunities, the terms of the loans, and more. We’ll even discuss the emotions behind finances and how your personal relationship with money can impact your business’s growth.
What resources are available in my community?
Throughout the program, you’ll have the chance to get to know the resources available to you in your city! From your local SBA to grant programs and loans, the FUND Bootcamps will help you find the funding resources your business needs.
How can I find community as a small business owner?
So many entrepreneurs are solo founders, which can make navigating challenges and evaluating your financing options even more daunting. The FUND Bootcamp is more than an educational program, it’s an opportunity to make this journey less lonely by building a community with like-minded small business owners in your city!
What types of businesses are eligible?
Applicant must be a woman or non-binary founder or co-founder of the company.
Business must be registered within the greater metropolitan area of the city for the bootcamp they are applying to.
Applicant must be a legal resident or citizen of the United States or a U.S. territory.
Applicants must be 21 years or older.
Only one entrepreneur per business may apply and/or participate.
Business must be at least 51% owned by participating founder or co-founder.
Business can be either a products- or services-based business.
Business must have an annual gross revenue between $25,000 - $199,999 (should your business be selected as a semi-finalist, you will be asked to submit your financials for verification).
Business cannot be currently or have previously raised funds, or intend to seek venture capital or angel investment, or a liquidity event, in next 12 months. (Note: Grants, lines of credit, bank loans, and other loans are not considered to be “investments.”)
Note: The aim of this program is to help independent small businesses and entrepreneurs - locations owned by publicly-traded corporations do not qualify, Nonprofit organizations do not qualify, and Subsidiary businesses or franchisees do not qualify.
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For the 2023 FUND Program, the eligibility requirements are below:
Applicant must be a woman or non-binary founder or co-founder of the company.
Applicant must be a legal resident and citizen of the United States or a US territory, and must be proficient in English.
Applicants must be 21 years or older.
Only one entrepreneur per business may apply and/or participate.
Business must be at least 51% owned by participating founder or co-founder.
Business can be either a products- or services-based business. All industries are welcome to apply. However, business cannot be a technology business.
Business must have an annual gross revenue between $25,000 - $199,999 (should your business be selected as a semi-finalist, you will be asked to submit your financials for verification).
Business cannot be currently or have previously raised funds, or intend to seek venture capital or angel investment, or a liquidity event, in next 12 months. (Note: Grants, lines of credit, bank loans, and other loans are not considered to be “investments.”)
Business must be registered within the greater metropolitan area of the city for the bootcamp they are applying to.
Note: The aim of this grant is to help independent small businesses and entrepreneurs - locations owned by publicly-traded corporations do not qualify, Nonprofit organizations do not qualify, Subsidiary businesses or franchisees do not qualify.
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Applications for the 2023 FUND Bootcamp can be submitted online here no later than June 30, 2023, at 11:59:59 ET. Incomplete applications will not be considered.
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Yes! Like our other programs and resources, the Fund Program is free for participants.
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No, once you have submitted your application, you will not be able to edit it.
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Absolutely! We understand that applicants may be providing us non-public, confidential information about their business as part of the application and we commit to keeping that information confidential.
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The 2023 Fund Program will support 30 small business owners in each city.
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Absolutely! We understand that applicants may be providing us non-public, confidential information about their business as part of the application and we commit to keeping that information confidential.
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All applicants who are accepted into the cohort will be notified in Summer 2023.
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Program Dates: October 23 - 27, 2023
Pitch Competition: November 2, 2023
Program Dates: September 11 - 15, 2023
Pitch Competition: September 21, 2023
Program Dates: July 31 - August 4, 2023
Pitch Competition: August 10, 2023
Program Dates: August 21 - 25, 2023
Pitch Competition: August 31, 2023
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No, as long as you and your business meet the minimum requirements, then you are eligible for the FUND Program.
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No, only for-profit businesses are eligible for the FUND Program.
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No, all applicants must be a citizen or legal resident of the United States or of a U.S. territory.
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Yes! We are expanding support for women and non-binary entrepreneurs through several upcoming initiatives in 2023. The best way to stay informed about these opportunities is by subscribing to our newsletter here, where we send out information about grants and resources for all businesses, and to follow us on social media.
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Please email us at hello@ladieswholaunch.org with any technical difficulties or questions.
Join Our Community!
About Ladies Who Launch
In 2023, Ladies Who Launch is invested in four unique cities with thriving small business communities. By supporting small businesses in these cities through the FUND Bootcamp, we’re helping build relationships—both with other entrepreneurs who understand the challenges of small business ownership and with local financial institutions who can help you find the resources and funding you need.
Since 2020, Ladies Who Launch has supported 60 women and non-binary small business owners through grants and mentorship with the Launch Program. Participants in the FUND Bootcamps will now be a part of our diverse, accepting community of entrepreneurs! Ladies Who Launch is a place where women and non-binary small business owners can show up as their authentic selves, even on their toughest days.