In Focus: Some schemes, initiatives & grants that are available for women entrepreneurs in Wyoming
#WomenEntrepreneurs #WyomingBusiness #SupportiveEcosystem
Wyoming stands out as a beacon of support for women entrepreneurs, boasting a robust ecosystem conducive to their success. According to the U.S. Small Business Administration, Wyoming ranks impressively, securing the 8th position nationwide for the number of women-owned businesses per capita. This statistic underlines the state’s commitment to fostering female entrepreneurship and economic empowerment.
Behind this remarkable feat lies a plethora of initiatives and organizations dedicated to providing resources and support tailored to women entrepreneurs’ needs. The Wyoming Small Business Development Center takes center stage, offering comprehensive training programs and personalized business consulting services aimed at nurturing the entrepreneurial spirit among women. Additionally, various networking groups and organizations cater specifically to women entrepreneurs, providing invaluable resources, mentorship opportunities, and a supportive community. In this supportive environment, women entrepreneurs in Wyoming are not just thriving but also shaping the landscape of entrepreneurship in the state.
Here are some schemes, initiatives and grants that are available for women entrepreneurs in Wyoming.
Wyoming Government Agencies
> State of Wyoming – Business Services
The business division of the Secretary of State’s Office give a lot of assistance to those who want to set up businesses. It helps individuals start, maintain & grow businesses across the state of Wyoming. You can learn how to do many things related to starting a business. Like – better understand how to create a Wyoming company; file your business with the state; file your annual report; renew a trademark; renew a trade name; file business documents, get sales and use tax information, workers comp, unemployment insurance, EIN information and much more.
> Wyoming Small Business Administration – SBA
The Wyoming SBA is supported by its district office in Casper. They provide services such as – funding programs, counseling, federal contracting, certifications and disaster recovery. They can also connect you to partner organizations, lenders, and other community groups that help small businesses succeed.
Examples of educational programs and events include – Women-Owned and Veteran- Owned Small Business Certification, Small Business Skill-Building Workshop, Mentor Pretege Program, and Joint Venture Workshop.
https://www.lisamasiello.com/women-entrepreneurs-start-a-new-business-in-wyoming
Wyoming Agencies & Non-profit Organizations
> Wyoming Business Council
The Wyoming Business Council offers the value of expertise, networks, and tools Wyoming businesses need to thrive. The team provides:
Business Startup Support: The Wyoming Business Council offers programs and resources aimed at building Wyoming’s entrepreneurial ecosystem and fostering connectivity.
Help Growth of Wyoming: The Wyoming Business Council offers programs and resources to help existing businesses of all sizes meet their goals as they mature and grow. One of the organization’s main goals is to help turn around businesses with issues that could force the company to fail or close.
Financial Assistance: The team helps identify your financial needs and navigate funding resources. From launching your startup to expanding your current operations, they can help both find and secure the appropriate funding.
> Wyoming Women’s Foundation
The Wyoming Women’s Foundation (WYWF), established in 1999, is located at and provides support through the Wyoming Community Foundation. WYWF makes grants and spearheads initiatives that benefit women and girls as well as the communities.
> Wyoming Small Business Development Center Network – WSBDC
With first-hand small business experience, Wyoming Small Business Development Center expert small business advisors are located throughout the state to help you – and bring you no-cost, confidential assistance.
For starting your business, you can find guidance and market research to start a successful business in any industry.
To grow your business, you can empower yourself with the tools and expertise to take your business to the next level.
Get innovation funding – you can receive assistance and capital to apply for funding to develop your idea or invention.
Government contracting – expand your market by selling to local, state, and federal government agencies.
https://www.lisamasiello.com/women-entrepreneurs-start-a-new-business-in-wyoming
> Wyoming SCORE
What Wyoming SCORE provides is – free and confidential business counseling tailored to meet the needs of your small business. So, whether you are just starting a business, expanding an established business, or want to become a volunteer, SCORE counselors are here to help you succeed. Wyoming SCORE serves Southeast Wyoming and Northern Colorado SCORE provides women entrepreneurs with a wealth of resources, templates, tools, and free expert mentoring to foster their business growth and development. The Women’s Entrepreneur resource hub offers a comprehensive array of tailored materials and guidance to adeptly navigate through entrepreneurial challenges and opportunities.
SCORE mentors (many of them who are successful women small business owners), are ready to help you achieve your business goals.
https://www.lisamasiello.com/women-entrepreneurs-start-a-new-business-in-wyoming
> Wyoming Women’s Business Center
The Wyoming Women’s Business Center (WWBC) empowers entrepreneurs, especially women, through – counseling, training, and micro-finance programs to start, expand, and sustain small businesses in the state of Wyoming. The organization strives to advance self-sufficiency and equality.
There are many Client programs which include: one-on-one business counseling; business education webinars; microloan program; artist development program; B2B creative services; digital marketing.
https://www.lisamasiello.com/women-entrepreneurs-start-a-new-business-in-wyoming
Funding – State and Federal Sources
> U.S. Small Business Administration – Funding Sources
The U.S. Small Business Administration helps small businesses to get the funding they need. Funding resources include: Loans – to start or expand your business with loans guaranteed by the SBA; Investment capital so that you can find an investor for your business. Investors make both debt and equity investments; Disaster assistance to get help after a disaster with low-interest disaster loans; Surety bonds – Protect your work and your client with an SBA-guaranteed surety bond and Grants – you can look for government grants that help businesses do scientific research and development.
U.S. Small Business Administration website
> Wyoming Business Council – Financing Assistance
As the state economic development agency, the Wyoming Business Council leads economic growth aiming to build resilient communities and create opportunities for people to thrive.
Loans: The Wyoming Business Council (WBC) offers a diverse portfolio of loan options for eligible businesses and community organizations looking to start or grow their capacity.
Equity: Wyoming Venture Capital (WYVC) fund. WYVC is designed to support the innovation and growth needs of entrepreneurs across the state through equity financing for Wyoming high-growth companies with an eye toward an exit in the future.
Grants: While the Wyoming Business Council is not statutorily able to loan or grant state funds directly to private businesses or individuals, there are some exceptions that are available for very specific situations.
Incentives: The Wyoming Business Council (WBC) offers a diverse portfolio of loan options for eligible businesses and community organizations looking to start or grow their capacity.
https://www.lisamasiello.com/women-entrepreneurs-start-a-new-business-in-wyoming
> Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs
If you have an idea or invention that can start a business, you could receive a portion of the $2.5 billion offered each year by the federal government through the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs, to commercialize your products.
What SBIR and STTR programs do is provide funding – to help Wyoming entrepreneurs and small business owners research, develop, and commercialize their innovations. Depending on where you are in this process, you could receive $100,000 to $1 million in funding.
It is significant, that for the last several years, the Wyoming SBDC Network has been awarded the U.S. SBA Federal and State Technology (FAST) Partnership Program funding opportunity. One goal of the program is – to increase the number of SBIR/STTR proposals leading to an increase in the number of SBIR/STTR awards from women, socially/economically disadvantaged individuals, and small businesses in underrepresented areas ie typically rural states.
FAST activities contribute to the SBIR/STTR ecosystems through outreach efforts, providing technical and business assistance (including one-on-one advising, training webinars, and workshops), and financial support for developing SBIR/STTR applications.
In addition to Wyoming SBDC Network’s no-cost and confidential business advising, training, and market research, the Wyoming SBIR/STTR Initiative (WSSI) can provide – initial funding and technical assistance throughout the entire application process.
https://wyomingsbdc.org/innovation-funding/
> WomensNet
WomensNet helps you find legitimate grants, loans, and other funding for your business venture.
A simple place to start is with the Amber Grants for Women. Businesswomen from Wyoming (and all around America) are eligible to win. The judges award this $10,000 grant three times each month – so today would be the perfect time to apply.
If you win any monthly Amber Grant this year, you become automatically eligible to win our year-end $25,000 Amber Grant. So, join up and you could earn you $35,000 in grants!!
https://ambergrantsforwomen.com/business-grants-women-wyoming/
Avtar Madan
Himanshu
Shree Lahiri
