WEDC Entrepreneurship Partner Grants Open on August 8

The Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) has announced it is offering new grant opportunities – through the Entrepreneurship Partner Grant – for nonprofits and communities to obtain funding to support entrepreneurs and small businesses and remove barriers to their success.

“Throughout Wisconsin there are wonderful nonprofits supporting our state’s entrepreneurs and small business owners with training, technical assistance and more,” said Missy Hughes, WEDC secretary and CEO. “WEDC wants to ensure that there’s room in our grant programs to support the valued organizations that have a track record of success working with entrepreneurs as well as newer innovative programs that push our entrepreneurship programs forward.”

Grants, which will likely range from $10,000 to $200,000, will be awarded to programs based on factors such as number of entrepreneurs served, cost effectiveness and innovation. For fiscal year 2023, the Entrepreneurship Partner Grants program has a budget of $2.25 million. The first application period opens Aug. 8 and closes Sept. 2.

The EPG program is for nonprofits, communities and other eligible organizations that are working to support entrepreneurs – including groups such as people of color, women, the LGBT+ community and rural residents who may not have had access to the same educational and funding opportunities as others. The program’s grants can help these nonprofits pay for things such as entrepreneurship training, mentors, seed accelerators, technical assistance and more.

Again, the deadline to apply for the first round of grants is Sept. 2. For more information, visit: www.wedc.org/programs-and-resources/entrepreneurship-partner-grant/ .

To begin the application process, please contact Allie Palmer, entrepreneurship investment coordinator at: allie.palmer@wedc.org.