Famous Amos Ingredients for Success Entrepreneurs Initiative

The M&F Bank Empowering Growth Small Business Grant awards a $10,000 grant to one small business owner in each of the bank's North Carolina markets through annual application rounds rotating by geography. Administered by M&F Bank — a North Carolina-based community development financial institution founded in 1907 — the program supports small business owners across the bank's footprint in Durham, Raleigh, Winston-Salem, Greensboro, and Charlotte, with the goal of strengthening the local communities the bank serves. Each application round is open to businesses located in one specific market and the surrounding counties, and a single winner is selected per round. To qualify, applicants must be an M&F Bank business customer with accounts in good standing, have been an M&F Bank customer for at least one year prior to applying, have gross annual revenues of $750,000 or less, have been in business for ten years or fewer, employ 25 people or fewer (including the owner), and maintain an active business website. Previous grant recipients are not eligible to reapply. Nonprofits, real estate investment firms, businesses with M&F Bank vendor ties, and M&F Bank employees or their relatives are also ineligible.

The Henderson Matching Grant Programs provide Henderson, Texas businesses with 50/50 matching grants of up to $50,000 to fund exterior property improvements that enhance curb appeal and strengthen the city's commercial landscape. Administered by the Henderson Texas Economic Development Corporation (EDC), the program is offered through two tracks: the Small Business Matching Grant, which provides 50/50 matching grants of up to $10,000 to small businesses investing in exterior improvements to their properties; and the Industrial Business Matching Grant, which provides 50/50 matching grants of up to $50,000 to property owners undertaking larger-scale façade transformations. Funded improvements typically include signage, fresh paint, landscaping, parking lot upgrades, awnings, façade enhancements, and other exterior renovations that improve the appearance and functionality of commercial properties. All projects must receive prior approval before work begins, and grant funds are disbursed as a reimbursement upon project completion and receipt submission. The program is part of the Henderson EDC's broader mission to support local business reinvestment and community revitalization.

The Warrior Rising Business Showers awards non-dilutive grants ranging from $2,000 to $150,000 to veteran, military spouse, and immediate family entrepreneurs through invitation-only pitch competitions held in cities across the country (past events have taken place in Cedar Rapids, Washington D.C., and Salt Lake City). Administered by Warrior Rising, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to supporting veteran entrepreneurship, Business Showers are the organization's flagship pitch events where top finalists compete for real capital with no equity requirements or other strings attached. Eligibility to compete is earned by completing Warrior University, Warrior Rising's advanced entrepreneurship education cohort for veteran and military spouse founders with early-stage startups. Warrior University is a fully virtual program offered quarterly over two evenings, hosted in partnership with flagship educational institutions, and delivers expert-led instruction in strategy, business model design, customer discovery, competitive analysis, and go-to-market planning. Graduates who earn a certificate of completion may then apply to compete at a Business Shower, with only the most competitive graduates selected. Selected finalists receive covered flights and hotel accommodations, individualized pitch coaching leading up to the event, live access to investors and decision-makers, and long-term partner introductions. Together, Warrior University and Business Showers form a pathway that combines advanced training with the opportunity to earn meaningful startup funding.

The FoundHer accelerator program focuses on Hawaii-based women entrepreneurs. Accepted participants to the six-month program will receive $20,000 grants, a $4,000 care stipend, weekly educational workshops, and monthly learning and networking retreats. Businesses must be early-stage, for-profit and at least 51% Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander-owned to qualify.

The Cybersecurity Adoption Program (CAP) is designed to support Connecticut manufacturing companies seeking Cyber Security assessments and CMMC Certification. The goal is to help companies striving to meet federal cybersecurity requirements. Up to $10K can used for a Cyber Assessment with the balance allocated to remediation. Eligible companies can apply for grant funding up to $35,000 in total to assist with cyber security assessments and CMMC adoption. Participating companies must pay half the cost. The program is administered by the Connecticut Center for Advanced Technology with funding provided through the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development's Manufacturing Innovation Fund.