Fueling Women's Business Dreams: Top Resources in North Dakota

In Focus: Some initiatives, schemes & grants that are available for women entrepreneurs in North Dakota

#WomenEntrepreneurs #NorthDakotaBusiness #StartupSupport #WomenInBusiness #EmpowerWomen #BusinessGrants #Entrepreneurship #SmallBusiness

Starting a business can be challenging, but quite frankly, you don’t have to go through it alone. And, North Dakota is brimming with resources, grants, and schemes specifically designed to support women entrepreneurs. These initiatives provide assistance in various forms – from financial support to mentorship and networking opportunities, ensuring that women in North Dakota have everything they need to succeed in their entrepreneurial ventures.

Boosting Women Entrepreneurs in North Dakota

One notable resource is the North Dakota Women’s Business Center, which offers comprehensive programs tailored to women-owned businesses. From business planning and development to accessing capital and markets, the center provides essential tools and guidance. Additionally, the North Dakota Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs) offer free business consulting and low-cost training services, empowering women with the knowledge and skills needed to thrive.

Moreover, the Innovate ND program is designed to foster innovation and entrepreneurship across the state, offering grants and resources to startups. Women entrepreneurs can also benefit from the Dakota Business Lending programs, which provide flexible financing options to help start and grow their businesses.

So, with such a varied wealth of resources at their disposal, women entrepreneurs in North Dakota are well-equipped to turn their business dreams into reality.

Here’s taking a look at some initiatives, schemes & grants that are open to women
entrepreneurs in South Dakota.

>North Dakota Women’s Business Center (ND WBC)

The WBC was created with assistance from the Small Business Administration. The Department of Commerce in the state matched the funds to provide women with the support and resources needed to start their own business. The group provides practical information on everything – from regulatory framework to business insurance. Any woman who wants to take advantage of affordable programs to either start or expand her business can connect here.

> North Dakota Women’s Network

This group was made – to educate, support, and encourage women to do more in their careers. From workshops to legislation advocacy, the group takes on a number of issues to create better opportunities for its members.

Incidentally, this organization is perfect for women who want to get involved in the local business community. There’s enough flexibility within this group to learn and grow, regardless of industry or goals.

> eWomenNetwork – Bismarck

The eWomenNetwork creates networking events that truly connect women with one another. It’s indeed, a great way to market your business to interested parties and support others in return. Members meet business leaders and are exposed to new opportunities.

This open to – any woman in the Bismarck area who wants to expand her presence and influence in her local business community.

> Small Business Administration (SBA) North Dakota District Office

It was in 1953 that the Small Business Administration was established – to promote and advocate for the many small business owners in the nation. SBA helps business owners explore local, state, and federal resources that can help them get ahead.

So, SBA is perfect for women who want a broad overview of the available help within the state. From grants to certifications, the events and professionals at the SBA can teach women how to use every available service to their advantage.

> North Dakota Small Business Development Centers

North Dakota Small Business Development Centers are staffed with business advisors, who know how to operate a North Dakota enterprise. From training to advising to capital formation, the center covers practically every key topic of interest for small business owners.

This organization is perfect for women, who want advice and help in funding and running their businesses. It can help you comply with regulations, obtain relevant certifications, and expand your budding enterprise.

> North Dakota SCORE

SCORE offers women entrepreneurs key resources to build on their strengths and also provides new avenues to success. SCORE also provides free and confidential business advice from female mentors, many of them successful women small business owners, who are ready to help you achieve your business goals.

SCORE is a non-profit organization staffed with volunteers, who mentor and train entrepreneurs in the state. It also provides workshop opportunities for improving your effectiveness in the workplace.

It is available for any woman seeking affordable advice and services. The one-on-one coaching session can give women the skills and knowledge they need to make a stronger splash in the local economy.

Resources created especially for women business owners include – “Women In Leadership, Journey to the Top,” “Insight for Women in Business from Women Entrepreneurs,” “Should You Get Certified as a Woman-Owned. Veteran-Owned or Minority-Owned Business?”

> WomensNet – North Dakota

WomensNet helps women explore and apply for grants in North Dakota. This national organization has influence in every state and, another fact is that its leaders also bestow the Amber Grant for Women.

This resource is excellent for women having a difficult time navigating the complex world of start-up funding. From lenders to grants, you get the advice needed to capitalize on all available opportunities.

https://startupsavant.com/womens-business-resources-north-dakota

> She Starts Fargo

SheStartsFargo began in 2019 as SheStartsWeek in Fargo, ND, as a collaboration between Annie Capital, The Nice Center at NDSU & Emerging Prairie.

They believe in that representation matters, that change has to be driven by many. They feel that female founders need bigger networks and access to expertise; and also that intentional investment in underrepresented entrepreneurs results in a more inclusive community.

https://www.shestartsweek.com/

North Dakota Government Agencies

> State of North Dakota – Starting or Expanding a Business

Business incentives, government accessibility, and workforce performance, combined with North Dakota’s favorable position as one of the lowest cost states for operating a business, are driving entrepreneurs to establish operations in North Dakota. State support resources include:

– Bank of North Dakota

– Business Assistance

– Business Forms and Licenses

– Economic Development and Finance

– Incentives and Funding

– International Trade Assistance

– Native American Development Center

– Minority Certification

– Patents and Trademarks

– Workforce Safety, Insurance, and Training

> North Dakota Secretary of State – Business Services

The North Dakota Secretary of State’s Office is the first place to go to register your business’ name and protect it as a viable business entity.

– Actual business creation starts here with resources like:

– Business Records Search

– Business Structures Explained

– Business Entity Statistics

– Trade Name / Franchise Name

– Trademark / Service Mark

– Copyright

– Patent

– Business Services FAQs

> North Dakota Small Business Administration – SBA

The North Dakota Small Business Administration provides services to aspiring entrepreneurs and small business owners alike. SBA services include 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.

The North Dakota SBA District Office in Fargo serves the entire state of North Dakota.

https://www.lisamasiello.com/north-dakota-women-entrepreneurs-start-a-new-business

North Dakota Agencies & Non-profit Organizations

> North Dakota Women’s Business Center – ND WBC

The North Dakota Women’s Business Center (ND WBC) is the leading voice, resource, and partner for women business owners throughout the state.

With teams located in Bismarck, Fargo, Grand Forks, Wahpeton, and Williston, ND WBC is accessible to the state’s women-owned businesses through in-person and virtual one-on-one business coaching services, technical training, and intensive development programs.

> North Dakota Small Business Development Centers – ND SBDC

North Dakota Small Business Development Centers power the creation, growth, and success of small business in North Dakota. Their professional business advisors have years of experience and know what it takes to start a business and operate it successfully.

Have an idea and not sure what the next step is? Have you started on a business plan, but need some help with market research? They can help with that and more.

– Start-up Logistics

– Feasibility Analysis

– Purchase or Sale of a Business

– Business Plans

– Financial Projections and Budgeting

– Market Research and Marketing Advice
If you have an existing business and are seeking to expand or improve your operations,
certified advisors are available to help.

– Market Research and Marketing Advice

– Purchasing/Selling a Business

– Exit and Succession Planning

– Government Contracting

– Exporting

– Cybersecurity

– Workforce Issues

Funding – State and Federal Sources

U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) – Funding Sources

The U.S. Small Business Administration helps small businesses get the funding they need. Funding resources include:

– Loans: Start or expand your business with loans guaranteed by the SBA.

– Investment capital: Find an investor for your business. Investors make both
debt and equity investments.

– Disaster assistance: Get help after a disaster with low-interest disaster
loans.

– Surety bonds: Protect your work and your client with an SBA-guaranteed
surety bond.

– Grants: Look for government grants that help businesses do scientific
research and development.

> North Dakota Incentives and Funding

Whether you’re starting out or scaling up, North Dakota has financial packages and tax incentives to assist new and expanding businesses to enhance profitability. The state has specifically designed its business and investment programs to deliver quicker, quality service along with more capital during a company’s start-up, expansion or relocation.

North Dakota provides a collaborative effort between federal, state, and private sector resources with convenient access to over 15 financial assistance programs.

Tools and resources include:

– Bank of North Dakota

– Business Incentives Database

– Corporate Income Tax Exemptions

– Incentive Certification Forms

– Local Economic Development Programs

– North Dakota Development Fund

– Property Tax Exemptions

– Public Finance Authority

– Renaissance Zones

– Research Expense Credit

– Sales and Use Tax Exemptions