Description
Ladies Who Launch is a U.S. nonprofit (501(c)(3)) based in San Francisco, California, dedicated to inspiring, educating, funding, and supporting women and non-binary entrepreneurs and small business owners. The organization focuses on helping founders grow and scale for-profit small businesses, particularly through non-dilutive funding, education, community, and mentorship rather than traditional venture capital investment.
Specific Program / Funding Stage
Small Business Grants & Support (Core Focus)
- Ladies Who Launch’s flagship initiative is the Launch Program, which provides non-dilutive grant funding and business support for established small businesses rather than acting as a VC investing entity.
- The program is designed for existing businesses with revenue, especially Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) companies within defined stage criteria.
Investment / Funding Model
Non-Dilutive Grants (Primary Funding)
- The Launch Program historically awards one-time cash grants of ~$10,000 to selected women and non-binary business owners.
- Grants are unrestricted (no repayment, no equity taken), and recipients also receive education, mentorship, and community support over approximately six months.
- Ladies Who Launch also operates a Small Business Grants Database, a curated list of third-party grant and funding opportunities available to women-owned businesses.
Non-Equity Support
- The organization does not operate a venture capital fund and does not take equity from program participants. Funding is grant-based, not investment-based.
Equity / Ownership Structure
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Equity Required: None.
- Ladies Who Launch’s programs are non-dilutive — founders retain 100% ownership of their companies.
- Equity comes into play only if founders independently pursue venture funding or angel investment through external sources, not through Ladies Who Launch.
Application / Submission Method
How to Apply
- Founders apply for programs like the Launch Program through Ladies Who Launch’s application platform (e.g., Submittable).
- Applications are typically open for limited windows; there may be periods without active calls as programming evolves.
Selection
- Applicants are evaluated based on defined program criteria (e.g., business revenue, founder profile, industry focus) and selected to join cohort programs or receive grants.
Eligibility
Sector Focus
- Ladies Who Launch’s programs are industry-agnostic but often center on consumer product companies (for specific grant cycles).
- Other grant databases the organization curates can apply to a range of sectors.
Stage
- Designed for small businesses with early traction or revenue — not pre-idea startups — particularly those seeking growth capital and operational support.
Geography
- Must be a U.S.-based business (or U.S. resident founder) to qualify for most Ladies Who Launch grant programs, though global resources and education are available via community and online channels.
Team Profile
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Women and non-binary founders or co-founders with majority ownership of the business.
Process
Application Submission: Founders submit detailed business information and supporting materials.
Review & Selection: Program organizers review submissions against eligibility criteria and select recipients.
Grant Award & Onboarding: Selected businesses receive grant funds and begin educational/mentorship programming.
Program Engagement: Six months (or program length) of structured support, community engagement, and mentor interactions.
What an Applicant can Obtain
Cash Grant (~$10,000): One-time grant to support business growth (e.g., marketing, production, operations).
Business Education: Workshops, trainings, and curated educational resources on business operations and growth strategy.
Mentorship & Advisory: Guidance from industry experts and business advisors.
Community & Networking: Access to a community of women and non-binary entrepreneurs, peer learning, and connections to funding resources.
Funding Resource Database: Lifetime access to a curated database of small business grants and capital opportunities.
