MBDA Women's Entrepreneurship Program

The MBDA Women's Entrepreneurship Program is a federal grant opportunity from the U.S. Department of Commerce's Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA). The program aims to improve the entrepreneurial outcomes of Minority Business Enterprises (MBEs), including entrepreneurs at all stages of business development, through the provision of counseling, training, and technical assistance services. Eligible applicants must be private nonprofit organizations under 501(c)(3-6) that provide services to MBEs as a primary activity. Applications must address Priority Area 1 (Access to Capital) and at least one additional priority area from Supporting Participation in High Growth Industries or Increasing Entrepreneurs' Capacity to Do Business with the Federal Government. The application deadline is February 3, 2025.

The total available funding is approximately $2 million, with the expectation of making around 5 awards of $400,000 each for a four-year period from August 1, 2025 to July 31, 2029. The program will be administered as a cooperative agreement with substantial MBDA involvement, including required participation in implementation meetings, training conferences, and program evaluations.