Are you a collegiate female founder of color needing a jumpstart for your business? Learn more and apply by Monday, Nov. 14 for the WBENC 2022 Collegiate Women of Color Grant Powered by Cummins Inc. to compete for the chance to be awarded a financial business grant.

Calling All Female Student Founders of Color! WBENC and Cummins Inc. are excited to team up to provide business grants and educational opportunities to minority female student entrepreneurs and recent graduates.
Statistics show that minority female business owners often experience greater difficulties in securing access to capital and receiving funding to grow their businesses.
WBENC and Cummins Inc. are working to address this disparity with the WBENC 2022 Collegiate Women of Color Grant Powered by Cummins Inc., a funding initiative to support emerging minority female entrepreneurs.
The program will provide 3 educational sessions on topics designed to launch a business owner into success along with an opportunity to be awarded one of 5 financial grants.

PROGRAM DATES

Application Deadline: Nov. 14th
Grant applicant interviews begin on December 1st!

LOCATION

Virtual

Apply now
Upcoming Sessions
Module #1: Building Your Brand and Owning it
Date: Thursday, Oct 27 from 2-3pm ET
Register
Module #2: Protecting Your Brand – Understanding Intellectual Property Rights
Date: Friday, November 4 from 1-2pm ET
Register
Module #3: The Importance of a Business Pitch
Date: Tuesday, November 8 from 12-1pm ET
Register
Why Participate
  • Pursue grant funding to move your business to the next level
  • Gain experience presenting and sharing information about your business
  • Generate exposure for your business among WBENC Corporate Members and the network overall
  • Access expertise and insights from corporate and business leaders
Grant awardees will also be given opportunities to pitch their businesses to Cummins’ Executive Leadership Team and qualify for a special business scholarship opportunity.

 

Who Should Participate
  • Female entrepreneurs of color
  • Collegiate level; undergrad, graduate or doctorate; or recent graduate (within the last 6 months)
  • Preference will be given to businesses that:
    • Are in STEM Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) fields
    • Address a sustainable future
    • Have a demonstrated need for funds
Rules and Regulations
  • The program will be open to women of color/all minority ethnicities.
  • Applicants must be enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program at least part-time within the last 6 months.
  • Preference will be given to applicants in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) fields.
  • Applicants must complete the full application on time for consideration, including a 60-second video about your venture.
  • U.S. Citizenship is required.
  • WBENC and Cummins will review all grant applications and determine awards based on specific scoring criteria and demonstrated need.
Meet the 2021 Winner

Mia Thorton

CEO of Mainsail Technologies

Mainsail Technologies LLC is a lean organization focused on assisting mid and large enterprises with taking an offensive posture against cyber attacks. Through innovative technologies and behavioral interventions, Mainsail Technologies LLC helps organizations protect their people and data.

Mia Thornton is New York University Alumnus and Howard University PhD Candidate with years of diverse Procurement and Supply Chain Management experience. In 2021 she decided to pursue a long-term dream of co-creating a unique IT Service Model that focuses on enhancing the technological and behavioral solutions available to companies.

Ready to apply?
Apply Now
Questions about the Cummins Women of Color Business Accelerator & Grant Program?
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