In Focus: Some schemes, initiatives & grants for women entrepreneurship in New Hampshire
#WomenEntrepreneursNH #GraniteStateLeaders #BreakingBarriersInBusiness
New Hampshire, fondly known as “The Granite State,” isn’t just known for its rugged mountains and picturesque landscapes, but it is also a powerhouse for women entrepreneurs! With the second-highest rate of women’s entrepreneurship in the United States, New Hampshire is setting benchmarks for gender inclusivity & innovation in business. According to the Kauffman Foundation, there are 240 women-owned businesses for every 1,000 women residents, which is a testament to the state’s thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Women entrepreneurs in New Hampshire are leading industries like – healthcare, social assistance, and education, but their influence doesn’t stop there. They are also pushing boundaries in male-dominated sectors – advocating for equitable workplace policies like paid family leave, flexible work hours & equal pay. The challenges remain, with limited access to capital and mentorship being prominent hurdles. However, programs such as the New Hampshire Women’s Business Center and the University of New Hampshire’s Center for Women and Enterprise are empowering these changemakers – with resources and support to ensure their success.
Empowering Change: New Hampshire’s Women Entrepreneurs Lead the Way
Consequently, New Hampshire’s women entrepreneurs prove that determination, innovation, & community can transform challenges into opportunities. Their stories inspire others, highlighting the power of resilience and collaboration in creating a more inclusive entrepreneurial landscape.
Here’s presenting some resources – like schemes, initiatives and grants that are available for women entrepreneurs in New Hampshire.
New Hampshire Government Agencies
> New Hampshire Department of Business and Economic Affairs (BEA)
The priority of the Department of Business and Economic Affairs (BEA) is ensuring the growth and vitality of the New Hampshire economy. BEA is a resource for a variety of businesses (of all sizes and sectors), from family-owned companies to multi-national corporations, that can meet their goals in a variety of ways – from government contracting and international trade, to workforce development, financing and more.
To elaborate, BEA resources include:
– The Office of International Commerce works with businesses to help them discover and expand into global markets.
– The New Hampshire APEX Accelerator helps companies find, bid on, and win, government contracts, and navigate the process to completion.
– The Office of Workforce Opportunity connects businesses with a workforce ready to meet the demand and conquer the competition for their goods and services.
– The Division of Economic Development’s business resource specialists and business development team works with companies on their plans to retain employees, expand, or relocate their businesses to New Hampshire.
– The Division of Travel and Tourism Development offers resources and expertise to businesses within the hospitality industry.
> New Hampshire Small Business Administration (SBA)
The New Hampshire SBA is supported by a main district office in Concord. They provide a number of services including – funding programs, counseling, federal contracting, certifications, and disaster recovery. They can also connect you to partner organizations, lenders & other community groups that help small businesses succeed. The Concord office serves the entire state of New Hampshire.
Examples of educational programs and events include – How Small Businesses Thrive in Rochester; and Refresh Your Image, Your Circle, and Your Messaging.
https://www.lisamasiello.com/new-hampshire-women-entrepreneurs-start-a-new-business
New Hampshire Agencies & Non-profit Organizations
> Center for Women & Enterprise – CWE – Women’s Business Center
The Center for Women & Enterprise (CWE) is a non-profit economic empowerment organization. Their mission is – to strengthen communities and the economy by supporting women to launch and successfully sustain businesses. The New Hampshire Women’s Business Center operates in partnership with the US Small Business Administration – offering consultations, workshops and networking opportunities to help you reach your entrepreneurial goals.
The Center for Women & Enterprise is the destination for aspiring, up-and-coming & established entrepreneurs who want to increase their professional success and personal growth. They provide – education, training, online learning, consulting, networking and financial support in the Manchester center and through community classrooms throughout the state, as well as Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC) Certification and Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB) Certification.
> Women’s Rural Entrepreneurial Network (WREN)
Women’s Rural Entrepreneurial Network (WREN) was founded three decades ago, powered by rural women committed to the mission of supporting better lives and livelihoods – thus, enhancing the vitality of Bethlehem’s Main Street and practicing and promoting innovation in rural economic development.
Since its inception, WREN has been a source of economic support and business mentorship for women in the North Country. From grant programs to Local Works Marketplace, WREN provides both community & guidance.
In September 2022, WREN launched Women’s Work with a goal to develop and pilot solutions that eliminate systemic barriers and build new pathways for higher earning and long-term success for North Country families.
> New Hampshire Small Business Development Center (NHSBDC)
NH SBDC is a leading resource for business advising and education – for small businesses in the ‘Granite State’.
The New Hampshire Small Business Development Center (NHSBDC) understands that small businesses are vital to a state’s economic health: and its staff provides free, professional, one-on-one business management advice and educational programs to new and existing businesses.
NHSBDC’s dedicated team of professional business advisors deliver highly individualized, confidential advising (at no charge) to enterprises across New Hampshire on topics including – marketing, finance, business planning, growing a business, and customer service. The team has an impressive 235+ years of experience working with small businesses to help them grow and be successful, resilient, and always prepared to respond to the unexpected.
Their resources include:
Micro Business Collaborative: An educational, networking program designed for new to new-ish business owners who are unemployed or under-employed and who have up to five employees.
eCourses: No-cost discussions of useful and relevant topics for small businesses. No matter where your business life is in its life cycle, NHSBDC has tools and resources to help you take the next step.
The NHSBDC Nashua Office, located at Nashua Community College is ready to help you.
> Hannah Grimes Center for Entrepreneurship
The Hannah Grimes Center for Entrepreneurship provides the space, tools & connections – that innovative entrepreneurs need to build strong businesses, thriving local economies, and vibrant communities in the Monadnock Region.
The Center for Entrepreneurship educates, supports, and assists in the successful development of entrepreneurs through an incubator, workshops, annual CONNECT event & many other programs.
> SCORE New Hampshire
SCORE provides women entrepreneurs with a wealth of resources, templates, tools, and free expert mentoring to foster their business growth and development; and this is with the goal of empowering and elevating women in business. The Women’s Entrepreneur resource hub offers a comprehensive array of tailored materials and guidance – to adeptly navigate through entrepreneurial challenges and opportunities.
Mentors are experienced entrepreneurs, corporate managers & executives with a diverse set of industries and specialties, who volunteer their experience and knowledge to help small business professionals start, develop, and grow businesses. They offer free and confidential mentoring along with low-cost or no-cost business training & numerous templates and tools.
The SCORE Granite region serves Northern, Central, and Southern New Hampshire as well as Eastern Vermont. The SCORE Seacoast region serves the New Hampshire, Southern Maine, and Northern Massachusetts seacoast.
> New Hampshire Tech Alliance
The NH Tech Alliance is totally committed – to nurturing a vibrant tech ecosystem by building partnerships, enhancing knowledge and shaping public policy.
The NH high tech industry is a diverse sector with a focus on many subject areas spanning industries such as – information technology support/services, enterprise software, consulting, hardware, medtech, manufacturing, and education.
The Alliance focuses on Four Value Pillars as follows.
Talent and Workforce: The Alliance engages throughout the State to assure New Hampshire has sufficient human capital to address technology-related workforce needs well into the future.
Education and Programs: The Alliance offers educational and programming opportunities throughout the year that provide unique insights or interactive engagement that can positively impact members’ businesses.
Advocacy and Policy: The Alliance actively and consistently advocates on behalf of member-affirmed priorities before all appropriate government bodies.
Ecosystem Engagement: The Alliance strives to be the primary convener and respected ‘go-to resource’ for tech sector activities across New Hampshire.
https://www.lisamasiello.com/new-hampshire-women-entrepreneurs-start-a-new-
business
Funding – State and Federal Sources
> U.S. Small Business Administration – Funding Source
The U.S. Small Business Administration helps small businesses get the funding they need.
Their 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.
https://www.lisamasiello.com/new-hampshire-women-entrepreneurs-start-a-new-business
> CWE New Hampshire
The Center for Women & Enterprise (CWE) is a non-profit economic empowerment organization, and their mission is – to strengthen communities and the economy by supporting women to launch and successfully sustain businesses.
Their vision actually opens up a world of possibilities They work towards building a world where every woman, regardless of origin, appearance, or identity, stands tall in her economic power. The Center for Women & Enterprise (CWE) not only envisions this reality, but are working to make it a reality. Since 1995, they have championed women’s economic empowerment through entrepreneurship.
At CWE, they do not merely offer resources, but they extend a guiding hand. They understand the unique challenges faced by women entrepreneurs – juggling dreams and responsibilities. Their approach is holistic, meeting clients where they are and leveraging data and learning to best serve each person’s needs. They provide tools, support, and a vibrant community too.
https://cweonline.org/our-centers/cwe-new-hampshire
> WomensNet, Amber Grant for Women)
At WomensNet, the Amber Grant for Women aims to be a simple, hassle-free way to obtain funding.
How does it work? Women from New Hampshire (and all around America) are eligible; and they have won too — this monthly $10,000 grant in the 25-year history of the grant.
So, if you win one of the three $10,000 monthly Amber Grants, you’re automatically eligible for one of the three year-end Amber Grants ($25,000).
Make your decision, and apply now! And you could land up with $35,000 in grant money this year!!
https://ambergrantsforwomen.com/business-grants-women-new-hampshire/
> New Hampshire Women’s Foundation
Their mission is clear – that the New Hampshire Women’s Foundation invests in opportunity and equality for women and girls in the Granite State through – research, advocacy, education, grantmaking and philanthropy.
Their vision is that – they believe in social, political and economic gender equality in New Hampshire. And their values specified are – Empowerment, Equity and Justice, Bold & Courageous Leadership & Collaboration.
https://nhwomensfoundation.org/mission-history/
Avtar Madan
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