About FUND Baltimore
One Week Virtual Bootcamp for Baltimore, MD Small Businesses
Navigating your financing options as a small business owner can be challenging. Ladies Who Launch is here to help you access capital and scale your business. We are hosting a week-long small business funding bootcamp in Baltimore, MD from September 11 - 15, 2023! Thirty women and non-binary small business owners across all industries, with gross annual revenue between $25,000 and $199,999, will be selected in the Greater Baltimore Metropolitan area to participate in the FUND Bootcamp. The program will help you better understand your small business’s financial status and the opportunities available to support you in your local community and beyond.
At the end of the program, FUND Baltimore participants will have the opportunity to compete in a pitch competition with the chance to win a $5,000 cash prize to support their small business’s growth!
Applications close on September 8, 2023.
Want to get involved?
FUND Baltimore Pitch Winners
FUND Baltimore Finalists
Jon'll Boyd
Founder,
Boyd Cru Wines
Janell Norris
Founder,
SelfieSkin Co.
Erica Bigger
Founder,
WhollyGloss
FUND Baltimore Session Speakers
Kim Austing
Business Banking Relationship Manager,
M&T Bank
Bonnie Crockett
VP & Director of Small Business Lending,
Baltimore Community Lending, Inc.
Donna Langley
Women Business Center Coordinator for Baltimore Region,
Maryland Capital Enterprises
Tonia McCoy
Lead Economic Development Spec. & Women’s Business Representative,
Baltimore District Office, U.S. Small Business Administration
Kimberly Royster
CFO, Kimberly Services, LLC Chairwoman,
Baltimore City Chamber of Commerce
Jaclyn Whitley
Small Business Associate, Small Business Lending Division,
Baltimore Community Lending
Biance McGee
Founder & CEO,
Plan Profit Grow
Rachel Williams
Founder,
ScaleUp Financial Solutions
Why FUND?
FUND Bootcamp Benefits
The FUND Bootcamps, which will include two-hour sessions, over five days, will feature small business financing experts, entrepreneurs, and more to help small business owners answer these important questions:
What financing options are available?
Bootstrapping isn’t your only option to grow your business! The FUND Bootcamp will introduce you to various funding options like loans and lines of credit.
What funding is right for my business?
The FUND Bootcamp will help you understand and evaluate your funding options to scale and grow your business. We’ll help you learn how to assess your financing options and understand high-risk vs. low-risk funding opportunities, the terms of the loans, and more. We’ll even discuss the emotions behind finances and how your personal relationship with money can impact your business’s growth.
What resources are available in my community?
Throughout the program, you’ll have the chance to get to know the resources available to you in your city! From your local SBA to grant programs and loans, the FUND Bootcamps will help you find the funding resources your business needs.
How can I find community as a small business owner?
Being a business owner can be lonely. Whether a solo founder or co-founder, navigating challenges and evaluating your financing options is daunting. The FUND Bootcamp is more than an educational program, it’s an opportunity to make this journey less lonely by building a safe community with like-minded small business owners in your city!
What types of businesses are eligible?
Applicant must be a woman or non-binary founder or co-founder of the company.
Business must be registered within the greater metropolitan area of the city for the bootcamp they are applying to.
Applicant must be a legal resident or citizen of the United States or a U.S. territory.
Applicants must be 21 years or older.
Only one entrepreneur per business may apply and/or participate.
Business must be at least 51% owned by participating founder or co-founder.
Business can be either a products- or services-based business.
Business must have an annual gross revenue between $25,000 - $199,999 (should your business be selected as a semi-finalist, you will be asked to submit your financials for verification).
Business cannot be currently or have previously raised funds, or intend to seek venture capital or angel investment, or a liquidity event, in next 12 months. (Note: Grants, lines of credit, bank loans, and other loans are not considered to be “investments.”)
Note: The aim of this program is to help independent small businesses and entrepreneurs - locations owned by publicly-traded corporations do not qualify, Nonprofit organizations do not qualify, and Subsidiary businesses or franchisees do not qualify.
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For the 2023 FUND Program, the eligibility requirements are below:
Applicant must be a woman or non-binary founder or co-founder of the company.
Applicant must be a legal resident and citizen of the United States or a US territory, and must be proficient in English.
Applicants must be 21 years or older.
Only one entrepreneur per business may apply and/or participate.
Business must be at least 51% owned by participating founder or co-founder.
Business can be either a products- or services-based business. All industries are welcome to apply. However, business cannot be a technology business.
Business must have an annual gross revenue between $25,000 - $199,999 (should your business be selected as a semi-finalist, you will be asked to submit your financials for verification).
Business cannot be currently or have previously raised funds, or intend to seek venture capital or angel investment, or a liquidity event, in next 12 months. (Note: Grants, lines of credit, bank loans, and other loans are not considered to be “investments.”)
Business must be registered within the greater metropolitan area of the city for the bootcamp they are applying to.
Note: The aim of this grant is to help independent small businesses and entrepreneurs - locations owned by publicly-traded corporations do not qualify, Nonprofit organizations do not qualify, Subsidiary businesses or franchisees do not qualify.
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Yes! Like our other programs and resources, the Fund Program is free for participants.
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No, once you have submitted your application, you will not be able to edit it.
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Absolutely! We understand that applicants may be providing us non-public, confidential information about their business as part of the application and we commit to keeping that information confidential.
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The 2023 Fund Program will support 30 small business owners in each city.
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Absolutely! We understand that applicants may be providing us non-public, confidential information about their business as part of the application and we commit to keeping that information confidential.
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All applicants who are accepted into the cohort will be notified in Summer 2023.
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Program Dates: October 23 - 27, 2023
Pitch Competition: November 2, 2023
Program Dates: September 11 - 15, 2023
Pitch Competition: September 21, 2023
Program Dates: July 31 - August 4, 2023
Pitch Competition: August 10, 2023
Program Dates: August 21 - 25, 2023
Pitch Competition: August 31, 2023
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No, as long as you and your business meet the minimum requirements, then you are eligible for the FUND Program.
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No, only for-profit businesses are eligible for the FUND Program.
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No, all applicants must be a citizen or legal resident of the United States or of a U.S. territory.
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Yes! We are expanding support for women and non-binary entrepreneurs through several upcoming initiatives in 2023. The best way to stay informed about these opportunities is by subscribing to our newsletter here, where we send out information about grants and resources for all businesses, and to follow us on social media.
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Please email us at hello@ladieswholaunch.org with any technical difficulties or questions.
Join Our Community!
About Ladies Who Launch
The FUND Bootcamps will help you build authentic relationships in Baltimore—both with other small business owners who understand the challenges of small business ownership and with local financial institutions who can help you find the resources and funding you need.
Since 2020, Ladies Who Launch has supported 40 women and non-binary small business owners through grants and mentorship with the Launch Program. Participants in the FUND Bootcamps will now be a part of our diverse, accepting community of entrepreneurs! Ladies Who Launch is a place where women and non-binary small business owners can show up as their authentic selves, even on their toughest days.
Not Based in Baltimore?
FUND Bootcamp is also visiting these cities:
Atlanta, GA
Program Dates:
October 23 - 27, 2023
Pitch Competition:
November 2, 2023
Denver, CO
Program Dates:
July 31 - August 4, 2023
Pitch Competition:
August 10, 2023
Detroit, MI
Program Dates:
August 21 - 25, 2023
Pitch Competition:
August 31, 2023