Women Founders, Connected & Funded

Free counseling, training, mentorship and access to capital for women entrepreneurs at every stage — Start Up, Stay Up and Scale Up pathways. A program of ECDI and part of the national Association of Women’s Business Centers.

Customized business counseling, business plans, cash-flow projections, marketing plans, access to capital and certification/procurement help. Prioritizes women who are economically or socially disadvantaged.

SBA-funded center under the Business Ownership Initiative of Indiana, promoting the creation and growth of women-owned businesses through advising, training and economic self-sufficiency programs.

Find any SBA-funded Women’s Business Center in the country, plus free SCORE mentoring and Small Business Development Center counseling. Every service here is free to you.

Nonprofit that helps women start, grow and fund businesses through classes, one-on-one coaching, a mentor network, peer masterminds and access to capital. Programs are free or low-cost.

A retail incubator giving women-owned businesses low-risk storefront space and real customer exposure alongside 17+ other women-owned brands. Open Wed–Sat.

Accelerates minority- and women-owned businesses through readiness and preparation, then connects them to strategic growth capital and contracting opportunities.

Over 120 programs, events and workshops helping small businesses and entrepreneurs start, grow and manage their business. A central hub for Black-owned business growth in the region. (513) 751-9900.

Leadership development for goal-oriented women looking to elevate their leadership capabilities, plus WE Thrive for young professional women and WE Speak women-in-business events.

The leading organization for women at every career stage working toward business and professional success — coffee connects, mentoring circles and programming.

National Association of Women Business Owners chapter serving the tri-state area — advocacy, peer groups and connections that propel women entrepreneurs into positions of power.

Ohio's capital-city chapter of the National Association of Women Business Owners — members-only programming, advocacy and networks.

Indiana chapter of the National Association of Women Business Owners, supporting, resourcing and connecting women entrepreneurs.

Northeast Ohio chapter of the National Association of Women Business Owners for the Cleveland area.

Free, confidential one-on-one mentoring with volunteer business experts, plus hundreds of free workshops, templates and tools — in person locally or online.

Professional development agency empowering Black women in today’s workplace — coaching, advisory services, leadership development and events to help women advance and lead strategically.

A nonprofit coworking and community space — a sanctuary for women and gender-expansive people of color to dream, connect, create and grow their businesses.

Free business consulting, access to capital and help with MBE, EDGE, WBE and VFBE certification — with a dedicated financial advisor on staff. (513) 751-9900.

Free management, technical and professional assistance, access to capital and certification support for minorities, women and small businesses across the Dayton region.

Management, technical and professional assistance, access to capital, surety bonding and MBE/EDGE/WBE/VFBE certification help through two regional offices.

Multi-purpose state service agency for Minority Business Enterprises and Women Business Enterprises — certification plus connection to state procurement opportunities.

Education, inspirational speakers, mentorship and consulting designed to grow women-of-color-owned businesses into enterprise-ready suppliers.

Official regional partner issuing the nationally recognized WBENC Women’s Business Enterprise certification, and cross-certifying into Ohio’s state WBE program with minimal extra paperwork.

Unlocks federal set-aside contracts for women-owned small businesses. Requires 51% women ownership, management and control. Free to certify through the SBA.

Statewide program connecting minority, women and veteran businesses to MBE/EDGE/WBE/VFBE certification, access to capital and contract opportunities.

Three $15,000 grants awarded every month to women-owned businesses of every kind, plus a $75,000 year-end grant. One application makes you eligible for all of them ($15 application fee).