Funding the Future: Securing Strategic Grants for Women in Tech Startups

Venture Capital Funding Falls Short

Lack of available mentors or advisors, biased sampling from early users on platforms like Product Hunt (where 90% are men), and microaggressions are just some of the issues that women entrepreneurs face. 

And there’s more: Male investors tend to fund male CEOs who are similar to them, while women still get asked different questions than male founders. Investors often ask men how they’ll acquire customers, but ask women how they’d retain them. There’s also a networking gap, where women are less likely to have access to a network of investors who can help them raise money and close deals. 

Although gender diversity has improved in Silicon Valley, progress remains slow, and there’s still a lack of women in executive positions. The good news, though, is that more women-led funds and incubators for female founders are emerging.

Grants Empower Female Founders

Another route is financial support through grants, which can promote gender diversity, raise the visibility of female-led businesses, and provide much-needed financial assistance to attract customers, investors, and partners, and get a business off the ground.

There are a number of grant opportunities, from program development support restricted to specific projects to general operating support to research grants, so watch out for that while applying.

34 Grants for Female Founders

To make it easy, we’ve split 34 grants into categories: non-profit foundations, private small-business grants, grants for marginalized communities, microgrants, government grants, pitch days, and accelerators, and others. Let’s get started.

Non-Profit Foundations Support Women

1. The Women in Tech Accelerator

Run by the Standard Chartered Foundation in partnership with Village Capital, the Women in Tech Accelerator delivers crucial capital to female-led, tech-enabled startups. The initiative provides cohort members with investment-readiness training, executive networks, and targeted technology scholarships for technical assistance. Upon completion, top-performing early-stage companies pitch for up to $50,000 in equity-free grant funding to scale their operations.

Take note: The program operates globally across targeted regional markets, making it a premier resource for ambitious women in tech looking to grow without diluting ownership.

2. NASE Growth Grants

Sponsored by the National Association for the Self-Employed (NASE), these NASE Growth Grants offer up to $4,000 to help micro-businesses and self-employed individuals scale operations. The non-dilutive capital is highly versatile and can be used for immediate business development needs, including marketing, advertising campaigns, and hiring new employees.

Take note: Applicants must be active NASE members in good standing to apply, with monthly members requiring a 90-day waiting period before submission. It is an excellent rolling capital alternative for women entrepreneurs managing independent consulting firms or early-stage technology companies.

3. Women Who Tech

This network was founded in 2008 with a mission to increase diversity and funding to women-led startups in the tech industry. Women Who Tech connects a diverse network of women founders with top investors and allies while providing capital, mentoring, and other resources for women who are creating innovative tech companies. The non-profit also showcases women-led ventures through Women Startup Challenges and drives funding opportunities via the flagship Startup Grants Program, where finalists pitch to panels of top investors for equity-free capital.

4. Amber Grant for Women Entrepreneurs

WomensNet has an array of grants for startups, non-profits, and specific business categories, with some being awarded monthly and others quarterly. Today, the program proudly distributes at least $30,000 every quarter in funding. This monthly pool is split across three distinct $10,000 opportunities: the flagship Amber Grant, a dedicated Startup Grant, and a rotating Business Category Grant. There are also three massive year-end grants of $25,000 awarded to previous monthly winners. To apply, you need to describe what you’d do with the grant money, be operating in the US or Canada, pay a $15 application fee, and the foundation’s advisory board chooses the winners.

Take note: There is no time-in-business requirement to apply. This means your startup is eligible even if it is completely new, pre-revenue, or still in the idea stage—you don’t need a multi-year operating history or massive sales to qualify.

5. The Launch Program by Ladies Who Launch

The Launch Program, run by Ladies Who Launch, is open to women and non-binary small business owners. Recipients receive $10,000 in grant money, six months of business education, mentorship from industry experts, and access to a community of small business owners. The Launch Program regularly opens applications for founders scaled within the consumer packaged goods vertical—for example, selling food and beverages, apparel, and more—who are looking to take their scaling business to the next level.

6. The Galaxy Grant

This grant program was launched by the non-profit Hidden Star. Each winning business receives a dedicated cash grant, with funding pools dynamically adjusting each application cycle to ensure the success of minority- or women-owned businesses. If you refer a friend, your chances of winning are also doubled, since if your friend wins, you do too.

Private Small-Business Grants Show Venture Capital Firms the Way

7. FedEx E-Commerce Learning Lab

Developed by Accion Opportunity Fund and FedEx, this intensive program helps small business owners expand their digital operations, with a dedicated focus on women entrepreneurs and founders of color. Depending on a company’s current revenue scale, the lab offers tailored courses, workshops, and expert coaching networks. Upon successful completion of the curriculum, beginners receive a $5,000 business grant, while advanced-tier participants secure a $10,000 grant alongside opportunities to win extra funding through an exclusive pitch competition.

8. Comcast RISE

Driven by telecom giant Comcast, the Comcast RISE initiative targets specific seasonal cities to deliver comprehensive growth packages. Selected entrepreneurs receive a $5,000 cash grant paired with a holistic business makeover, including professional creative production, media strategy consulting, and updated infrastructure. Having successfully funded 14,500 small businesses, the program provides an excellent funding blueprint alternative for women entrepreneurs managing early-stage technology companies.

9. Bizee Fresh Start Business Grant (Formerly Incfile)

Now operating as the Bizee Fresh Start Business Grant, this program awards entrepreneurs $2,500 for continuing education fees or business startup costs. Sponsored by Bizee (formerly Incfile), the opportunity requires applicants to be a US resident who is at least 21 years of age, plan to launch or significantly grow a business, and submit a sample business plan alongside a brief two-minute video. In addition to the capital, winners receive a comprehensive business formation package, including state incorporation filing, a professional tax consultation, and one full year of free Registered Agent services.

10. CO—100 Small Business Awards (Formerly America’s Top Small Business Award)

Now officially rebranded as the CO—100 Small Business Awards, this prestigious annual program from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce continues to honor the nation’s most innovative small businesses driving economic growth. To apply, businesses must have been in operation for at least one year and have fewer than 250 employees. The overall grand prize winner receives extensive national recognition alongside a $25,000 cash prize.

11. Cartier Women’s Initiative

This global program awards funding to 30 exceptional women entrepreneurs every year across various regional and industry categories. For founders in the tech space, the program features a dedicated Science and Technology Pioneer Award. This specific track honors innovators at the forefront of scientific discovery, delivering up to $100,000 in equity-free capital alongside comprehensive INSEAD business coaching.

Take note: To apply, your business must be an independent, for-profit creation built from scratch—not a franchise or non-profit—and have at least one year of active sales. Additionally, your startup must have raised less than $2 million in investor funding, be led by a woman aged 18 or older, and support at least one of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.

12. She’s Connected by AT&T

This American multinational telecommunications holding company offers significant funding to US-based, women-owned operations through its annual small business contest. The grand prize winner receives a $50,000 grant, a year of free AT&T service alongside a new device, and a dedicated storytelling feature, while four runners-up each secure a $5,000 microgrant.

To qualify, enterprises must be registered in the United States and maintain 99 or fewer employees. AT&T recognizes that commercial investment opportunities and media coverage of women’s sport remain low. Therefore, She’s Connected focuses on spotlighting the multi-dimensional nature of women athletes, pairing them with innovative entrepreneurs to support their side-hustles, careers outside of sport, and local philanthropic endeavors.

Grants Giving Professional Opportunities for Marginalized Communities

13. The Ford Foundation’s Women’s Leadership Program

This private American foundation (which also has a grants database) awards over 2,200 grants to organizations worldwide across different industries that serve the public good. Based on recent foundation data, the median grant amount stands at $300,000, with 56% of U.S. funding explicitly directed to organizations led by people of color.

To drive further structural equity, Borealis Philanthropy and The Ford Foundation’s Women’s Leadership Program network actively support the continuous Disability x Tech Fund, an ongoing initiative resourcing disability-led groups that are bringing about transformational change in technology.

14. Ms. Foundation Grants

The Ms. Foundation was founded by Gloria Steinem, Patricia Carbine, Letty Cottin-Pogrebin, and Marlo Thomas in 1973. Backed by a historic $100 million capital campaign, the foundation directs over $6.4 million in annual funding to resource more than 200 grassroots grantee partners nationwide. With a strategic focus where 90% of funds support movements led by women and girls of color, these Ms. Foundation Grants actively advance projects that strengthen reproductive justice, improve economic security, reduce racially-based health disparities, and support community-led equity and justice.

15. SoGal Black Founder Startup Grant

This program aims to support Black women entrepreneurs (who receive less than 0.5% of venture capital funding). Winners of the SoGal Startup Grant get a cash award of either $5,000 or $10,000 to scale their businesses. They also receive professional guidance and lifetime “ask-me-anything” access to the foundation’s leadership team to help navigate the fundraising process.  To apply to their rolling cycle, you need to identify as a Black woman or non-binary entrepreneur, own a legally registered business, and demonstrate a high-impact plan to seek investor capital.

16. Publish Her Business Impact Grant (BIG)

The Publish Her BIG Program awards $5,000 grants to businesses 100% owned by women of color. To qualify, you must be a U.S. resident running an established entity for at least one year with a minimum of $50,000 in revenue. The initiative has deployed over $250,000 in collective capital to elevate diverse women entrepreneurs managing early-stage technology companies.

Take note: The application portal opens annually in June and accepts submissions through August

17. The Tory Burch Foundation Fellows Program

Designed to give extraordinary women entrepreneurs the essential tools to scale and lead, this premier annual fellowship selects up to 120 founders to enter a vibrant corporate growth ecosystem. Fellows receive a $5,000 grant dedicated strictly to business education, alongside lifetime access to a premier network of advisors, high-touch business bootcamps, and a self-paced learning portal. To be eligible for The Tory Burch Foundation Fellows Program, you must be a woman entrepreneur holding a majority stake in a for-profit, early-stage company (one to five years of operation preferred) that is registered in the U.S. and generates a minimum annual revenue of $75,000

Microgrants Meeting a Financial Need

You don’t always need a six-figure institutional investment to make a major leap forward; sometimes, a small injection of capital at the exact right moment is all it takes. Microgrants offer women in tech startups quick, low-barrier financial boosts to solve immediate operational bottlenecks. Whether you need to cover a software subscription, purchase specific hardware, run a targeted ad campaign, or legally incorporate your business, these micro-funding opportunities bypass lengthy corporate review cycles to get capital into your hands quickly, often pairing the cash with invaluable one-on-one business coaching.

18. The Atomic Grant Program

This program offers $1,500 microgrants to business owners all over the world who identify as women. Grants are awarded quarterly, with applications accepted on a rolling basis. The Passion Collective team reviews submissions to select a shortlist of high-potential founders, with final recipients chosen based on their vision for creating meaningful, positive change. Alongside the capital, the Atomic Grant Program recipients receive a free annual membership to the organization’s resource network and dedicated one-on-one strategy coaching sessions with Keystone Group International.

19. Kitty Fund Mother-Led Business Grant

Launched in 2020, this program offers critical microgrants to mothers running small employer-based operations. To qualify for the Kitty Fund Mother-Led Business Grant, your company must be US-based, have a proven track record of at least one year in active operation, maintain a team of 2 to 100 employees, and generate $5 million or less in annual revenue. Moving forward with its annual spring cycle, the program deploys a $20,000 funding pool, delivering $1,000 microgrants to 20 selected mother-led business owners alongside direct access to specialized business accelerator support networks.

20. The Freed Fellowship

Each month, an underrepresented small business owner can receive a $500 microgrant from the Freed Fellowship. Every applicant receives a professional strategy session with a business expert, actionable recommendations to grow their operation based on a detailed framework review, and access to the Freed Studio community. Monthly grant recipients are also automatically considered for an additional $2,500 grant package at the end of the year.

21. HerRise MicroGrant for Small Business

This grant is offered by the Yva Jourdan Foundation, in partnership with the HerSuiteSpot non-profit. Through this organization, donors and sponsors contribute money to under-resourced founders looking for capital, coaching, and community. Every month, a $1,000 microgrant is awarded to one standout business owner of color. To qualify for the HerRise MicroGrant for Small Business, companies must be registered in the U.S., maintain less than $1 million in gross revenue, and be at least 51% owned by women of color. The funds can be utilized dynamically to buy business equipment, fund marketing campaigns, execute website creation, or secure software.

Federal, State, and Local Government Grants

Navigating government contracts and public funding can be intimidating, but public grants offer some of the most lucrative, completely non-dilutive capital available to founders. While the federal government rarely hands out direct cash for general overhead, it heavily invests in technical innovation, workforce diversity, and regional economic growth. For women in tech startups, leveraging these public resources—whether through direct research grants or by tapping into federally funded business accelerators—provides massive institutional validation, making it an excellent way to fund high-risk research and development without giving up a single slice of equity.

22. Grants.gov

Registering for a Grants.gov Workspace account allows startup teams to collaboratively edit and complete federal funding applications. The platform acts as the centralized gateway for over 1,000 public grant programs across 26 federal agencies, making it a critical source for tracking high-value commercialization grants, federal research funding, and open R&D solicitations.

Take note: Before you can create a workspace and submit an application, your tech startup must first register at SAM.gov to receive a free Unique Entity Identifier (UEI), which can take several weeks to process.

23. SBA’s Program for Investment in Micro-Entrepreneurs (PRIME)

While the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) does not deliver direct, general startup grants to individual businesses, its SBA’s Program for Investment in Micro-Entrepreneurs (PRIME) serves as a powerful indirect resource for women in tech. Through this initiative, the SBA deploys massive institutional grants ranging from $75,000 to $400,000 to a national network of dedicated non-profit organizations, economic development hubs, and business accelerators. These local recipient organizations use the federal funding to provide free, high-tier technical assistance, operational capacity-building, and intensive fundraising training to disadvantaged entrepreneurs.

Take note: Founders should look up PRIME-funded organizations in their area to secure completely free, expert-led mentorship and backend compliance coaching to make their startups grant-ready.

24. Women in Apprenticeship and Nontraditional Occupations (WANTO)

Administered jointly by the Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration and the Women’s Bureau, the Women in Apprenticeship and Nontraditional Occupations (WANTO) program deploys $5 million in federal funding to diversify critical, high-demand technical sectors. While these institutional awards are distributed directly to community-based organizations and non-profits rather than individual business owners, they serve as a massive scaling asset for tech startups. Local WANTO-backed organizations provide specialized technical support, ongoing workplace inclusion orientations, and deep recruitment networks designed to attract and retain women in competitive fields like cybersecurity and advanced manufacturing.

Take note: Tech founders looking to build out equitable engineering pipelines or find pre-trained cyber talent can tap into WANTO’s regional non-profit networks for free corporate assistance and talent sourcing.

25. Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA)

Minority-owned firms looking to scale can access experts and tools directly through the MBDA Business Resources Portal. These centers help diverse founders secure capital, win contracts, and find strategic partners. Additionally, the agency runs the MBDA Capital Readiness Program—a $125 million initiative backing 43 business accelerators. While it doesn’t give direct cash to individual startups, founders can use the U.S. Department of Commerce MBE Directory to tap into these hubs for free investor-pitch prep, equity networks, and scaling support.

26. The DIV Fund (Formerly USAID Development Innovation Ventures)

While previously housed under federal agency frameworks, the Development Innovation Ventures (DIV) model has transitioned into an independent entity known as The DIV Fund. Operating as a premier open-innovation engine, the fund remains fiercely dedicated to financing breakthrough, cost-effective tech solutions to the world’s toughest global development challenges. Using a strict, flexible tiered-evidence framework (Stages 1 through 3), the program provides non-dilutive grant funding to test new ideas, take strategic risks, and scale the best international solutions.

Take note: The fund accepts proposals year-round from any organization type—including early-stage tech startups—operating across low- and middle-income countries.

Pitch Days Helping Early-Stage Startups

Nothing sharpens a business model quite like stepping up to the microphone. Pitch competitions offer women in tech startups a high-octane environment to secure non-dilutive funding while simultaneously capturing the attention of the broader startup ecosystem. By taking the stage, founders gain rapid feedback from panels of active venture capitalists, access to high-tier corporate service packages, and immense brand exposure. Even if you don’t take home the grand prize, these events provide a vital platform to hone your narrative, expand your network, and stress-test your value proposition in front of the people writing the big checks.

27. Allbright Collective Pitch Days

Organized by AllBright, a leading global network for professional women, these curated events provide ambitious founders direct access to capital and expertise. Instead of a rolling application, the organization hosts structured seasonal cohorts through the AllBright everywoman Entrepreneur Awards & Collective. Selected entrepreneurs pitch their business models directly to venture capital panels and corporate judges for non-dilutive funding. Beyond live events, founders can access the digital AllBright Hub for dynamic learning platforms, mentorship frameworks, and business strategy tools.

28. Enthuse Foundation’s Annual Pitch Competition

Enthuse Foundation’s Annual Pitch Competition welcomes women entrepreneurs looking to pitch their businesses at a high-profile, live event. To qualify, businesses must be at least 51% women-owned, U.S.-based, and operating within the food, beverage, or consumer packaged goods (CPG) sectors. The grand prize winner receives a $15,000 grant alongside significant corporate services, while the runner-up takes home $10,000 in scaling capital.

Take note: The annual competition takes place live in New York City at The Town Hall by Skylight at PENN 2, bringing together founders, investors, and industry executives.

29. Women Founders Network Fast Pitch Competition

Each year, this network hosts its Fast Pitch Competition for women entrepreneurs, inviting early-stage startups to compete for $55,000 in non-dilutive cash grants and over $100,000 in professional services. The top ten selected finalists receive personalized coaching, mentorship, and investor feedback before advancing to a live pitching event. To reward diverse industries, a $25,000 first-place cash prize is awarded to winners across two distinct categories: technology companies (Tech/Tech-Enabled) and Consumer/CPG.

Take note: To qualify, businesses must be U.S.-based, majority woman-owned, and have raised under $750,000 in outside funding; you can monitor active application deadlines on their official Upcoming Events Calendar.

Accelerators Having a Positive Impact

While most traditional accelerators opt for equity investments rather than direct cash grants, many ecosystems are having a positive impact on early-stage growth. Top-tier programs like Techstars and the Women’s Startup Lab offer invaluable hands-on support, masterclasses, and direct access to elite networks of mentors and venture investors. Beyond these massive global footprints, a few hidden gems stand out for female founders:

30. Y Combinator

As a premier global startup accelerator, Y Combinator acts as a high-velocity launchpad for early-stage technology companies. While the program does not provide traditional, equity-free grants, its standard funding deal offers a massive capital injection: a $500,000 investment split between $125,000 for a fixed 7% equity stake and $375,000 on an uncapped SAFE. For women entrepreneurs looking to scale enterprise platforms, trading minor equity grants immediate access to elite venture networks and world-class product mentorship.

31. AWS Impact Bootcamps

Evolving from its legacy cohort models, Amazon now drives its diversity initiatives through the AWS Impact Bootcamps, delivered in partnership with Techstars. This intensive, in-person program gives early-stage female founders and underrepresented entrepreneurs direct access to AWS technical masterclasses, pitch architecture training, and investor networks. Accepted startups receive up to $5,000 in AWS Activate credits to scale their infrastructure, alongside a fast-track pipeline into Techstars’ core global accelerator programs.

Take note: The bootcamps host rolling seasonal applications across major tech hubs, focusing heavily on moving founders from early minimum viable products (MVPs) to investment readiness.

Other Grants for Closing the Funding Gap

Traditional fundraising paths are rarely a one-size-fits-all solution, making alternative financial ecosystems essential for rounding out your capital strategy. For women in tech startups, closing the funding gap means looking beyond standard venture capital toward creative, community-backed, and corporate-sponsored funding pools. These versatile platforms and specialized grants allow you to secure vital capital through automated corporate matching networks, public-advocacy voting rounds, and targeted tech-equity funds—offering the financial runway you need without forcing you to sacrifice equity or control of your vision.

32. IFundWomen

As a premier marketplace for women-owned businesses, IFundWomen simplifies access to capital. Through their Universal Grant Application, women entrepreneurs fill out a single profile to enter a database that automatically matches them with enterprise grant partners like Visa or Caress. Beyond automated corporate matching, the platform provides crowdfunding infrastructure and coaching to ensure early-stage technology companies are growth-ready.

33. High Five Grant for Moms

Hosted by The Mama Ladder, the High Five Grant for Moms is dedicated to empowering women entrepreneurs who balance business growth with motherhood. The program invites a diverse cohort of finalists, including first-time expecting moms, stepmoms, and foster moms, to a public voting round to secure non-dilutive capital. The revamped prize pool awards a massive $25,000 first-place grant, followed by $10,000 for second place and $5,000 for third place to help early-stage companies scale without losing equity.

34. The Accelerate(HER) Fund

Deployed in partnership with Hello Alice, the Accelerate(HER) Fund delivers non-dilutive capital directly to founders. The fund is specifically backed by Tiger Global Impact Ventures as part of a $50 million “Gender Equity in Tech Fund” (T-GET) commitment, it primarily backs non-profit infrastructure across the tech industry, this specific initiative bridges the commercial funding gap by awarding grants of up to $50,000 to visionary women and non-binary entrepreneurs.

Take note: To qualify, early-stage companies must demonstrate a clear operational need for funding and present a structured plan to scale their next product or market milestone.

Female founders don’t have too much trouble getting insurance for their businesses. However, getting to the point of launching a business and sourcing funding (when you’ll need insurance) is generally more complex. Once you’ve applied to one of these grants or received funding (or even before), you’ll need to consider insurance—and we’re here to help.