Right now is prime time for minority-owned small businesses to thrive.
Energize Colorado is paving the way for a more resilient and equitable economy by helping women-owned small business across the state continue to innovate and grow.
Overcoming Odds and Manifesting
Expanding opportunities for women business owners in the state of Colorado by fostering supportive and dynamic community engagement, empowering through advocacy and addressing vulnerabilities that are barriers to success.
$1.7 T
GENERATED FROM WOMAN-OWNED BUSINESSES ACROSS THE U.S.
91%
OF BUSINESSES SUPPORTED BY ENERGIZE ARE BIPOC AND WOMAN-OWNED
OUR GOALS
Identify gaps for women-owned businesses and develop innovative solutions to address them. Galvanize the women led businesses in Colorado by creating a community of business and civic leaders. Create and maintain one of Colorado’s most comprehensive databases of women-owned businesses and related associations advance resilience and promote equity by create awareness of specific offerings and initiatives among women-led businesses.
DID YOU KNOW?
The primary reason for a woman opening her own business is to be her own BOSS!
DID YOU KNOW?
Most common impact of COVID on woman-owned small business is the loss of revenue.
DID YOU KNOW?
Women entrepreneurs experience greater success when they are mentored, regardless of their mentor’s gender. (SCORE)
RESOURCES FOR WOMEN-OWNED SMALL BUSINESS
Get Financial Support
Get the help you need to reopen, stay open, and scale your business. Learn about the financial resources available through Energize Colorado, the government, and private agencies.
Consumer Confidence Campaign
The little blue engine that could Can Do Colorado acknowledges and applauds all of the creative business people and employees who have worked tirelessly to reopen, practice guidelines to keep everyone safe, and turn can’ts into can dos! Learn more about Can Do Colorado here.
Women-Owned Business
Women-owned business? Learn about the support Energize Colorado has for you Expanding opportunities for women business owners in the State of Colorado by fostering supportive and dynamic community engagement, empowering through advocacy and addressing vulnerabilities that are barriers to success.
Mental Health Support
Don’t shy away from support during these unnerving times. Our resources are designed to support people along a range of experiences: those feeling uncomfortable in these new circumstances, those facing immediate challenges, and those in crisis. We offer wellness resources, group courses, and access to free therapy, as well as crisis information.
Energize Colorado Mentor Network
Get advice you need from experts across a range of industries and areas of expertise. You’re working hard to adapt to economic changes. You don’t want to just survive, you want your business to thrive. Don’t go it alone – Mentors can support you by sharing their experience, brainstorming ideas, providing insights, identifying resources and […]
Events
Virtual and In-Person Events Explore our Events page to learn about happenings at Energize Colorado and elsewhere for the latest webinars, meetups, and more! Click here to explore the Events page.
Apply for investment funding from SheEO
0% interest over five years for women-owned businesses and entrepreneurs whose revenue is over 50k Who’s eligible: Majority women-owned businesses and entrepreneurs who will exceed $50K in revenue but the time you apply. What it is: SheEO provides a 0%-interest loan with a five-year term for each Venture. Ventures pay back their loans in 20 equal […]
Apply for a $500 micro investment from the Doonie Fund.
Micro investments for black women entrepreneurs Who’s eligible: Black women entrepreneurs What it is: The Doonie Fund makes micro investments of $500 in Black women entrepreneurs. Since its inception on April 5, 2020, the fund has invested in over 500 black women entrepreneurs. Take action: Learn more about the fund and apply on its website. […]
Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) and the Verizon Small Business Recovery Fund $10,000 grant
Grants for women and the BIPOC communities Who’s eligible: Entrepreneurs of color, women-owned businesses, and other enterprises in historically underserved communities that are facing immediate financial pressure due to COVID-19 What it is: Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) is providing $10,000 grants based on availability and eligibility. The grant can be used for rent, payroll, debt to […]
COVID-19 Business for All Grant for up to $50,000
Grants for women, BIPOC, LGBTQ+, military-connected, and people with disabilities Who’s eligible: Entrepreneurs and small business owners in the U.S. What it is: Fifteen Business for All Grants, ranging from $10,000 to $50,000, will be awarded to small businesses that need support to scale. At least 11 of the 15 available grants will go to women, people […]
Financial assistance for small businesses owned by women, people of color, and immigrants
Support funds for businesses owned by women, BIPOC, or immigrants Who’s eligible: Small businesses owned by women, people of color, and immigrants. What it is: Opportunity Fund’s Small Business Relief Fund can provide you with immediate relief if you’re a struggling self-employed, small business owner. The fund aims to provide loan payment relief, affordable capital, and expert […]
VOLUNTEERS ARE THE ENGINE OF ENERGIZE COLORADO
We have an active group of 100 volunteers across the state. At Energize Colorado, we’re building a better, more equitable future together.
Lara Smedley is the Founder at My Fan Seats and Smedley Events. At Energize Colorado, she is part of the woman-owned small business segment.
