In Focus: Some initiatives, schemes & grants for women entrepreneurs in Tennessee
#WomenInBusiness #TennesseeEntrepreneurs #EmpoweredWomen #StartupTennessee
Tennessee, affectionately known as the “Volunteer State”, has become a powerhouse for women entrepreneurs looking at launching and growing their ventures. Known for its openness to diverse founders, Tennessee boasts of an entrepreneurial ecosystem that champions inclusivity & innovation. This startup-friendly state provides women entrepreneurs with a unique combination of plus points like – low living costs, zero state income tax, and access to a thriving support network, making it a prime destination for women-led startups.
The Rise of Women Entrepreneurs in Tennessee: A Hub of Opportunity & Innovation
What actually sets Tennessee apart is its vibrant community of women entrepreneurs, who are redefining what it means to succeed in business. From tech innovations to community-driven enterprises – Tennessee’s women founders bring not only passion and expertise, but also a deep commitment to the people they serve. Programs like Launch Tennessee, Pathway Women’s Business Center, and state-wide mentorship networks are dedicated to empowering women by providing resources, capital, and guidance needed to thrive in competitive industries.
With a booming tech-innovation scene, a supportive environment, and a heart for community, Tennessee is truly cultivating the next generation of women entrepreneurs. For those with big dreams and bold ideas, Tennessee’s doors are open – welcoming women leaders ready to make their mark.
Here are some resources like initiatives, schemes and grants that are available for women entrepreneurship.
Women in Entrepreneurship Knoxville (WiE)
Women in Entrepreneurship Knoxville, or “WiE” is a community of nearly 2000 women entrepreneurs that hosts regular monthly meet-ups. Plus it is an active Facebook Group community.
KEC knows how significant ‘diversity’ is in the workplace. That’s why they created Women in Entrepreneurship (WiE) – a meetup just for women, who are eagerly looking to start a business. This once-monthly group is for women in any stage of business – to meet, network & support each other in their entrepreneurial adventures.
Tennessee Government Agencies
> Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development
The Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development seeks to attract new corporate investment in Tennessee; and it also works with Tennessee companies to facilitate expansion & economic growth.
Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development encourages entrepreneurship development & adaptive reuse of commercial buildings in accredited Tennessee Main Street communities with a Main Street Entrepreneur Incubator grant program – to assist in funding activities that put vacant and/or underutilized buildings into productive service and serve as economic drivers for downtowns.
> Tennessee Small Business Administration (SBA)
The Tennessee SBA is supported by a main district office in Nashville and an additional location in Memphis. They provide services including – funding programs, counseling, federal contracting, certifications & disaster recovery. They can also connect you to – partner organizations, lenders & other community groups that help small businesses succeed.
The Nashville office serves the entire state of Tennessee. The Memphis location serves – Carroll, Crockett, Dyer, Fayette, Hardeman, Haywood, Lauderdale, Madison, Shelby, and Tipton counties.
Examples of educational programs and events include – Am I Ready to Start a Business; How Do I Get a Loan with SBA and/or USDA; Build Your Business Model, Plan, and Strategy; Financing Resources by Stage of Business; and Understanding Business Taxes.
https://www.lisamasiello.com/tennessee-women-entrepreneurs-start-a-new-business
Tennessee Agencies & Non-profit Organizations
> Pathway Women’s Business Center
The Pathway Women’s Business Center is a women-owned business community and learning resource that is dedicated to – supporting and accelerating the growth of women-owned businesses & strengthening the impact these businesses have in communities!
So, whether you are looking at different options like – to start a new business, grow your existing business, connect with other business owners, receive expert hands-on help from coaches, browse business resources and templates, understand your financing options, join a peer-to-peer group, or participate in classes and cohorts, the Pathway WBC is for you.
Pathway coaches are experts in their field – former executives, CPAs and more, with expertise ranging from accounting to sales & marketing.
https://pathwaylending.org/womens-business-center/
> Nashville Entrepreneur Center
The Nashville Entrepreneur Center (EC) connects entrepreneurs with critical resources – to create, launch & grow businesses. There are various programs with different aims and strategies – to suit any entrepreneur’s current state of affairs.
EC PreFlight Program is an in-person program that directs first-time entrepreneurs step- by-step through different stages – from “I have an idea” to “I have a business plan” – thus, empowering you with knowledge & support as you proceed to bring your business to life.
EC InFlight program addresses the unique challenges of startups in Phase 2 of the Entrepreneur Lifecycle. InFlight is most beneficial for Nashville-based, high-growth founders in any industry with a minimum of $50,000 in annual revenue, a small team, and solid market traction.
EC Twende Program is an accelerator for Tennessee founders of color.
EC Project FinTech is a FinTech and BankTech program that basically offers tech founders – the benefit of community, curriculum & connection with exited FinTech EiRs, champion mentors & subject-matter experts who want to help them achieve commercialization.
EC Project Music and Entertainment enables you to gain access to an extensive network of entertainment connections and are able to leverage industry connections – to foster innovation, nurture growth & drive the future of the entertainment industry.
EC Project Healthcare drives transformation in the healthcare industry – through tailored hands-on curriculum & connections.
> SCORE Tennessee
SCORE Tennessee mentors are highly successful, seasoned business professionals and entrepreneurs with the experience and knowledge – to help you achieve your business goals. Many of these SCORE mentors are successful small business women owners who are open & ready to help other women entrepreneurs achieve their business goals.
Women entrepreneurs are a growing part of the US economy and SCORE Tennessee offers them key resources – to build on their strengths & provide new avenues to success.
> Tennessee Small Business Development Center (TSBDC)
If you are an aspiring woman entrepreneur, Tennessee SBDC lets you connect with a consultant, attend training programs and events, and also explore its variety of resources and educational tools.
Start: Tennessee SBDC partners with you by providing guidance on writing your business plan, finding funding resources and securing proper licenses so that your business gets off the ground.
Grow: Use Tennessee SBDC experience and resources to help you make sound decisions, such as creating and implementing sales and marketing strategies, hiring and managing employees and analyzing market research.
Sustain: Work with your Tennessee SBDC consultant – to create a lasting plan for the future of your business.
> Chattanooga Women’s Leadership Institute
What is unique at Chattanooga Women’s Leadership Institute is that it helps you learn through training – that is catered to every leadership level.
It is significant that each year is designed to build out from a theme, aligned with what members say they need to learn more about. The Leadership Studies series and
Leadership Track are designed to offer complimentary, yet independent content, providing both professional and personal development tools for every level of leadership.
It is a fact that your career path as a woman entrepreneur is stronger when you’re surrounded by a network of women across multiple industries, generations and perspectives.
> National Association of Women Business Owners – NAWBO Memphis / NAWBO Nashville
NAWBO Nashville and NAWBO Memphis are spaces where women in business come together – to encourage, support & educate one another. They build strategic affiliations and create opportunities to grow businesses and positively impact communities.
What is extremely important is that NAWBO propels women entrepreneurs into economic, social, political spheres of power in a number of ways like:
Strengthening the wealth-creating capacity of members and promoting economic development within the entrepreneurial community
Creating innovative and effective change in the business culture
Building strategic alliances, coalitions and affiliations
Transforming public policy and influencing opinion makers
> LaunchTN
LaunchTN is a public-private partnership positioned to provide initiatives – to promote entrepreneurship, technology advancement, capital formation and workforce development funded through a grant contract with the State of Tennessee.
Epicenter: Epicenter leads the Memphis region’s entrepreneurship movement – by supporting tech startups, creative and community-based businesses and student entrepreneurs across multiple industries and different growth stages.
theCO: theCO supports West Tennessee as a resource, collaborative community and support system for everyone – from serial entrepreneurs to founders taking the first plunge into business ownership, problem-solving & innovation.
Nashville Entrepreneur Center: The NEC supports Nashville’s entrepreneurial and small business communities and represents a partnership of local and state government support, private interests and the region’s business community.
The Biz Foundry: The Biz Foundry helps businesses start and thrive in Upper Cumberland, fostering entrepreneurship, innovation, and collaboration – through business resources, community programs and one-on-one work.
CO.LAB: The Company Lab (CO.LAB) accelerates early-stage startups in the greater Chattanooga region and beyond – with a focus on sustainable mobility, including electric and autonomous infrastructure, freight logistics and quantum technology.
Knoxville Entrepreneur Center: Knoxville Entrepreneur Center is a business accelerator built to serve as a bridge for entrepreneurs in East Tennessee – through mentorship opportunities, classes, events & cohorts to help every kind of entrepreneur at any stage.
Sync Space: Sync Space is the regional entrepreneurial hub in Northeast Tennessee. It provides early stage startups and growing businesses connectivity to regional partners for mentorship and pilot program opportunities – all designed to help drive entrepreneurs towards success.
The Mill: The Mill, located in Dyersburg, supports the Northwest region by helping businesses start and grow. It serves entrepreneurs through business support, mentorship & other resources.
https://www.lisamasiello.com/tennessee-women-entrepreneurs-start-a-new-business
Funding – State and Federal Sources
> U.S. Small Business Administration – SBA – Funding Sources
The US Small Business Administration helps small businesses receive 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; and investors make both debt and equity investments.
Disaster assistance: Get help after a disaster/crisis 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 & development.
> Pathway Lending
Pathway Lending is a Community Development Financial Institution that increases access to capital for underserved businesses in Tennessee and Alabama. Business loans move you forward – by cutting operating costs, improving cash flow & boosting your bottom line. Loans feature up to 100% loan to value, extended amortization, competitive interest rates, ranging from $5,000 to $5 million.
Fund your business opportunities with loans and lines of credit for: Accounts receivable; Business acquisition; Debt consolidation; Emergency repairs; Energy efficiency; Equipment – Working capital; Inventory; Marketing; Payroll & Real estate.
https://www.lisamasiello.com/tennessee-women-entrepreneurs-start-a-new-business
> Tennessee Small Business Development Center (TSBDC)
TSBDC offers advice and resources for entrepreneurs, individuals and small business owners – to jumpstart their businesses. Services include – social media guidance, financial planning assistance and business plan development and more.
https://www.chattanoogatrend.com/business-resources-for-female-entrepreneurs/
> BrightBridge
BrightBridge helps small businesses acquire the funding they need for their business in partnership with local, state and federal governments, banks and private lenders.
https://www.chattanoogatrend.com/business-resources-for-female-entrepreneurs/
> JumpFund
The JumpFund supports and aids women as entrepreneurs, investors and leaders in economic development at all levels – from start-ups to corporations.
https://www.chattanoogatrend.com/business-resources-for-female-entrepreneurs/
> MomSource
MomSource is dedicated to advocating for flexible employment – by connecting professional moms with progressive employers.
https://www.chattanoogatrend.com/business-resources-for-female-entrepreneurs/
> Ellevate Network – Nashville
Ellevate is perfect for women business owners and entrepreneurs, who are looking to make their businesses and professional communities more capable & profitable.
https://startupsavant.com/womens-business-resources-tennessee
> eWomenNetwork – Memphis, Nashville
Women entrepreneurs and small business owners are the backbone of eWomenNetwork. Here you can connect with like-minded professionals and also network for success.
https://startupsavant.com/womens-business-resources-tennessee
> Launch Tennessee
This is targeting women, who are starting business ventures throughout Tennessee and are encouraged to inquire about the Launch program.
https://startupsavant.com/womens-business-resources-tennessee
> Nashville Entrepreneur Center
Small business owners and entrepreneurs are welcome to step in here – to get all doubts cleared. They can inquire about EC programs and services, in order to help their different types of small businesses forge ahead and succeed.
https://startupsavant.com/womens-business-resources-tennessee
> CO.STARTERS
Excellent candidates for this association are – entrepreneurs and small businesses looking to become a part of an overall small business community, through support and shared commerce.
https://startupsavant.com/womens-business-resources-tennessee
> WomensNet – Tennessee
This is specially in place for women business owners and entrepreneurs, who are the target market for Amber Grants.
It was in 1998 that WomensNet founded the “Amber Grant”. It is to be noted that every month WomensNet gives away at least $30,000 in Amber Grant money. In recognition of the diversity of businesses owned by women, they have also expanded the grant- giving – to include “Startup Grants,” “Business Category Grants,” as well as three “$25,000 Year End Grants.”
https://startupsavant.com/womens-business-resources-tennessee
https://ambergrantsforwomen.com/get-an-amber-grant/
> Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development (TDECD)
Entrepreneurs and small business owners across the state of Tennessee are ideal recipients – for the programs and services offered through TDECD.
https://startupsavant.com/womens-business-resources-tennessee
> The Northwest Tennessee Entrepreneur Center (NTEC)
This is aimed at small businesses and entrepreneurs in Northwest Tennessee; and they are best suited for the programs and services offered here.
https://startupsavant.com/womens-business-resources-tennessee
Avtar Madan
Himanshu
Shree Lahiri
