In Focus: Some resources like schemes, initiatives & grants for women entrepreneurship in Connecticut
#WomenEntrepreneurs #ConnecticutBusiness #WomensLeadership #BusinessSuccess #EntrepreneurshipJourney
Connecticut or “The Nutmeg State” is rapidly becoming a powerhouse for women entrepreneurs – offering a supportive ecosystem to help women founders thrive. Recording a 44% growth in women-owned businesses over the past five years (which surpasses the national average) Connecticut is setting the stage for innovation and leadership in industries like healthcare, education & professional services.
Unlocking Opportunities: Resources for Women Entrepreneurs in Connecticut
The state offers a plethora of resources to empower women entrepreneurs. Organizations like – the Women’s Business Development Council (WBDC) provide training, funding opportunities, and mentorship programs to help women turn their business ideas into reality. The Connecticut Small Business Development Center (CTSBDC) offers expert consulting & resources tailored to women-owned enterprises. Additionally, programs like the Women’s Entrepreneurial Center (WEC) foster collaboration and skills development for budding entrepreneurs.
Connecticut also celebrates the achievements of women entrepreneurs through initiatives like – the Connecticut Women’s Hall of Fame, which highlights trailblazing women and also inspires others to follow their lead. Access to funding, strategic guidance, and networking opportunities make the state a vibrant hub for women-led innovation & business growth.
So, whether you’re launching a startup or scaling an existing business, Connecticut’s robust support system is here to help women entrepreneurs forge ahead.
Let us now understand what are some schemes, initiatives and grants that are available
for women entrepreneurship in Connecticut.
Connecticut Government Agencies
> State of Connecticut Business Division
The business division of the state of Connecticut is indeed the hub for business – whether you’re just thinking about starting a business or if you are trying to be more efficient and effective at growing your own business.
They will guide you through the ins and outs of starting a new business wherever you may be in Connecticut.
Suppose your business is already up and running. In that case, you can connect – to manage licenses and permits, register new employees, update your business information, access tax forms and stay up-to-date on tax changes, and get a better understanding as to what funding sources and resources are available to you.
> Connecticut Small Business Administration
The Connecticut offices of the Small Business Administration provide help with – SBA services including funding programs, counseling, federal contracting, certifications & even disaster recovery. They can also connect you to – some partner organizations, lenders and other community groups that help small businesses succeed.
https://www.lisamasiello.com/women-entrepreneurs-start-a-new-business-in-connecticut
Connecticut Agencies & Non-profit Organizations
> Women’s Business Development Council (WBDC) – SBA Office of Women’s Business Ownership
The mission of the Women’s Business Development Council (WBDC) is – to support economic prosperity for women and strengthen communities through entrepreneurial and financial education services, that create and grow sustainable jobs and businesses across Connecticut.
From starting or growing a business to increasing income, the Women’s Business Development Council drives business success for business owners in a tangible & accessible way.
WBDC is a non-profit organization dedicated – to providing the tools and resources to help women thrive. Services include – business advising, entrepreneurial training, financial education, access to capital, grant opportunities, and more.
> Entrepreneurial and Women’s Business Center (EWBC) at the University of Hartford
The Entrepreneurial & Women’s Business Center (EWBC) is part of the University of Hartford’s Barney School of Business.
The organization empowers Connecticut-based women and people of colour – to take control of their economic future by connecting them with training, one-to-one coaching, networking events & resources to advance their entrepreneurial success.
If you connect, you will gain access to the latest technology tools – to simplify operations and obtain skills and tactics to increase economic prosperity. Coaching and training programs expand your strategic thinking and also help you increase engagement within your community.
Free and low-cost services are offered remotely and in-person to women (and men).
> Connecticut Small Business Development Center (CTSBDC)
Connecticut Small Business Development Center (CTSBDC) is a member of the U.S. Small Business Development Center Network.
If you have requested advising assistance, you will have access to resources and knowledge to help you achieve virtually any objective you have for your business. Every business is assigned an advisor, who works closely with you – to deeply understand your business and help you drive it forward.
The Connecticut SBDC provides – comprehensive business assistance, exclusive market research reports and management tools, connection to public and private resources and support, as well as no-cost, online business training courses.
> Connecticut PTAC – Procurement Technical Assistance Center
The mission of the Connecticut Procurement Technical Assistance Center is – to provide marketing and procurement assistance to Connecticut businesses interested in selling their goods or services to federal, state, or local governments. CT PTAC is a statewide program serving all cities and towns in Connecticut.
Assistance comes in the form of – teaching, mentoring, coaching and electronic tools to research and identify government contracting opportunities. Connecticut PTAC’s services are provided at no charge.
Funding – State and Federal Sources
> U.S. Small Business Administration
Here you get loans, investment capital, disaster assistance, surety bonds & grants – to start and grow a business, as well as to recover from a disaster.
> Connecticut Innovations
Connecticut Innovations is Connecticut’s strategic venture capital arm; and it is the leading source of financing and ongoing support for innovative, growing companies. By offering equity investments, strategic guidance, and introductions to valuable partners – the organization enables promising businesses to thrive.
Investment includes venture capital & strategic support – for early-stage technology companies.
Connections include – introductions to a vast network of small and big businesses, talent, university researchers, service providers, suppliers & more.
Business advisors include mentors who specialize in your sector or the skills you need, including executives in residence.
https://www.lisamasiello.com/women-entrepreneurs-start-a-new-business-in-connecticut
> Amber Grants for Women
A simple place to start can be this offering by WomensNet’s trio of monthly Amber Grants for Women. Business women from Connecticut (and all across North America) are eligible to apply for this trio of monthly $10,000 grants. If you’re a recipient, you’re automatically eligible for one of our $25,000 year-end Amber Grants.
And you will be awarded a total of $35,000 in grant funds this year. Just think about how that would elevate your business!!
https://ambergrantsforwomen.com/free-grant-tips-connecticut/
> The Women’s Business Development Council
Women’s Business Development Council (WBDC) is a non-profit organization – dedicated to providing the tools and resources, entrepreneurial training and financial education to help women thrive in business.
Offering grants of up to $10,000 to qualified women-owned small businesses in Connecticut is what The Women’s Business Development Council does. Ignite is designed to help women-owned businesses grow! Grants between $2,500 and $10,000 will be awarded for clearly defined projects that will have a measurable impact on the business, its growth & profitability.
The grant funds cannot be used towards operating expenses (eg inventory, on-going marketing expenses, salaries), real estate improvements (eg construction costs), reimbursement for past purchases or debt repayment.
Applicants are required to have invested at least $2,500 into their business in the last 12 months, unless located in a distressed municipality. Watch out for the next round of funding for 2025.
https://ctwbdc.org/ignite-grant-for-women-owned-businesses/
> 93 Women Grants for Connecticut
Here you get grants for women entrepreneurs, seed money to individual women, college grants for women, small business grants for women, enterprise grants & grants for minority women.
https://connecticut.grantwatch.com/cat/39/women-grants.html
Women’s Business Development Council (WBDC) Programs
The Women’s Business Development Council (WBDC) has a chapter in Connecticut that offers grants specifically for women-owned businesses. These programs focus on helping female entrepreneurs access funding to start new ventures, grow existing businesses, or invest in their business infrastructure. The WBDC also provides training, mentorship, and networking opportunities to support the growth of women-led enterprises.
> Connecticut Small Business Boost Fund
The Connecticut Small Business Boost Fund – provides low-interest loans and grants from $5,000 up to $500,000 to small businesses and non-profits. These funds can be spent on just about anything for the business (payroll, rent, etc), but must be repaid in full over a 60-month or 72-month term.
> HEDCO and Spanish American Merchants Association (SAMA) Grants
HEDCO, in partnership with the Spanish American Merchants Association (SAMA), offers – a resource list of multiple loan options to minority-owned businesses across Connecticut. These grants are intended to – help business owners access capital, scale their operations, and contribute to their local economies.
https://swoopfunding.com/us/business-grants/best-business-grants-in-connecticut/
> Connecticut Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation (CCEI)
The Connecticut Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation (CCEI), established in 2007 – was the first organized center to support entrepreneurship activity at UConn. CCEI is identified as an area of strength by the university & is vital to the state and national economy. CCEI carries the legacy of the inaugural entrepreneurship education initiative at UConn (funded by the Wolff Family in the mid-1980’s).
Since then, the center has transformed entrepreneurship programming to support new venture development. At CCEI, they value the strength of the community, empowering effective communication & the cultivation of knowledge. Ultimately, they inspire a culture of entrepreneurship and innovation across the university, the state of Connecticut, and beyond.
If you join, whether you’re an aspiring entrepreneur with a groundbreaking idea, or an experienced business leader looking to support the next generation of innovators, CCEI welcomes you! And, together, you can shape the future of entrepreneurship and innovation in Connecticut.
https://ccei.uconn.edu/resources/entrepreneurship-in-ct/#
> Entrepreneurial Center & Women’s Business Center
Here you get personalized business advising, educational programs, technical assistance, and networking events to new and expanding small businesses in Connecticut.
> SBE/MBE Program Certification Application (Small or Minority Business Enterprise)
Through this certification program – the State of Connecticut strives to help women business owners capitalize on more opportunities to do business with the state government and its agencies.
https://portal.ct.gov/decd/content/business-development/01_type_of_business/women-
owned-businesses
> Speritas Capital Partners
Any woman in Connecticut looking for advice or assistance in funding, creating, and growing a business can approach them.
> Metro Hartford Alliance
This professional alliance is perfect for women, who want to give and receive support while discussing new ideas and changes in the economic landscape.
> Small Business Development Center – Connecticut
Any woman who wants to learn more about federal, state, and local resources. It can even help accelerators, or companies looking to succeed on a global scale.
> SCORE Hartford
SCORE Hartford is excellent for women in the Hartford area who want to connect with experienced mentors, who have already navigated the hurdles that they’re currently facing.
https://startupsavant.com/womens-business-resources-connecticut
Avtar Madan
Himanshu
Shree Lahiri
