WBENC LIFT Financial Center of Excellence

WBENC LIFT Entrepreneur Financial Readiness | April 2025

Building on the success of the past two years, three Entrepreneur Financial Readiness sessions took place during the month of April as part of Financial Literacy Month and with the support of our partners at Bridge, KeyBank Key4Women, and Pitney Bowes Financial Services.

This dedicated programming focused on financial management as an essential business strategy and provide insights on identifying the right capital sources, building effective finance teams, and cultivating key external relationships to fuel the entrepreneurial journey.

From identifying the right capital sources to outlining key internal and external relationships to cultivate, learn how the series helped attendees grow their financial literacy!

Session 1 Recap Article | Read Now
“Identify the Right Capital Sources”

Session 2 & 3 Recap Article | Read Now
“Fuel Your Growth: Build a Financial Team and Business Advisory Network”

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About WBENC LIFT

WBENC LIFT delivers the financial and scalability readiness programs and access to capital resources women entrepreneurs and small businesses need to thrive.

Founded with a mission of supporting women owned businesses throughout their entrepreneurial journey, the LIFT Financial Center of Excellence works in collaboration with WBENC Corporate Members and partners to deliver programs and resources aligned with the LIFT Model (Learn, Interconnect, Fuel, Thrive).

Along with stand-alone LIFT programs and resources that provide education, coaching, networking and funding resources, the LIFT Financial Center of Excellence supports other WBENC programs with the financial education and funding opportunities women-owned and small businesses need to thrive.

Capital Connections

Macy's, Inc. S.P.U.R. Pathways: Shared Purpose, Unlimited Reach – A Catalyst for Business Growth

Interconnect

S.P.U.R. Pathways is a multiyear, multifaceted funding program designed to empower the next generation of entrepreneurs. A collaboration between Macy’s, Inc. and Momentus Capital, this initiative provides access to a range of loans, investment opportunities, and retail support. The aim of the program is to advance entrepreneurial growth, close wealth gaps, and shatter systemic barriers.

View the S.P.U.R. Pathways 1-Pager.

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Bridge Business Loan Marketplace

Interconnect

Bridge business loan marketplace is a digital platform that connects small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) with 75+ lenders with one loan request. Bridge, formerly Bridge built by Citi, works with lenders who offer working capital lines of credit, growth capital, PO financing, term loans and more. Compare options from community banks, national banks and CDFI lenders who can offer funding to grow your business with loans up to $10 Million.

Learn More & Apply

Educational Opportunities

WBENC LIFT in the Community, Brought to you by Fifth Third Bank

Learn / Thrive

LIFT in the Community, brought to you by Fifth Third Bank, is an in-person program to address financial readiness for women-owned and small businesses by delivering programming focused on financial literacy for business owners, capital readiness and connections, and networking opportunities that help women-owned and small businesses develop skills, knowledge, and networks to compete and grow.

Learn More

Latina Growth Accelerator, Brought to you by USHCC & WBENC LIFT, Supported by The Kroger Co. Foundation

Fuel

The Latina Growth Accelerator is a groundbreaking virtual program designed to drive the economic growth of Latina-owned businesses generating over $10 million in revenue.

Launched by the USHCC Educational Fund in collaboration with WBENC LIFT and WBENC Women of Color UNIDAS, and supported by The Kroger Co. Foundation, this virtual program provides the tools, resources, and connections participants need to accelerate their business growth.

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Who Should Participate

The WBENC LIFT Financial Center of Excellence is designed to support WBENC-Certified Women’s Business Enterprises (WBEs).

For several years, WBENC has been partnering with Corporate Member leaders in the financial services industry to bring forward education and resources for WBEs, including workshops and coaching on access to capital, business plans, small business banking, and cash flow management. We launched the Financial Center of Excellence to coincide with our national events, with the goal of providing WBEs with access to small business bankers and financial experts, as well as additional learning opportunities on key financial topics, including funding alternatives and being bankable.

The COVID-19 crisis highlighted the opportunity to reimagine and expand the Financial Center of Excellence model and tackle the broader needs and challenges facing women-business owners in today’s challenging business environment.

WBENC LIFT is a product of that reimagining, with a comprehensive model designed to support WBEs year-round.

Some grants and opportunities may be targeted to specific geographic areas or industries.

Not yet certified? Learn more about WBENC Certification here.

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