Ladies Who Launch Announces 2023 Small Business Program Grant Awards

Small business support nonprofit organization Ladies Who Launch announces 20 women- and nonbinary-owned small businesses participating in fourth annual grant and mentorship program.

SAN FRANCISCO, June 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Ladies Who Launch is thrilled to announce the 20 women- and nonbinary-owned small businesses that will receive $10k grants and six months of education, mentorship and community through the 2023 Launch Program.

Since 2020, Ladies Who Launch has given more than half a million dollars in grants to a total of 60 women- and nonbinary-owned small businesses across 25 states. The selected small businesses will join a growing community of business owners who have received funding and education through Ladies Who Launch's free programs and services.

"We're thrilled to welcome 20 extraordinary women and nonbinary small business owners to the Launch Program to support the growth of their consumer packaged goods (CPG) businesses through hands-on education, individual mentorship and crucial funding for their businesses." Jennifer Warren, Ladies Who Launch's Executive Director, shared. "We received more than 4,000 applications this year, and we look forward to supporting all of these founders in our inclusive, come-as-you-are community to ensure every business owner has access to the knowledge and tools they need to succeed."

Ladies Who Launch serves both product and service based businesses. In 2023, the Launch Program cohort will focus on CPG businesses specifically, including apparel, beauty, and food and beverage companies. This year's cohort includes small businesses from 15 states. Of the women and nonbinary entrepreneurs selected for this year's program, 65% are people of color and more than 15% are members of the LGBTQ+ community.

The 2023 Launch Program Small Businesses:

• Beefcake Swimwear, Mel Brittner Wells — Missoula, MT
• Bonita Fierce Candles, Melissa Gallardo — Islip Terrace, NY
• Chocolita, Sarah Ann Lesslie — Flagstaff, AZ
• Crème de Liqueur, Elizabeth Nash & Nisreen Galloway — Milwaukee, WI & Rockland, MA
• Etalia Foods, Kristin Carman — Boulder, CO
• Fernweh Food Company, LLC, Ashley Lance — Portland, OR
• Flora & Noor, Jordan Karim — Nicholasville, KY
• Freestyle Snacks, Nikki Seaman — Atlanta, GA
• hope&plum, Mallory Mascoli & Skye Amundsen — Minneapolis, MN
• KAHINDO, Kahindo Mateene — New York, NY
• Mixed by Nasrin, Nasrin Jafari — Brooklyn, NY
• Peak and Valley, Nadine Joseph — Seattle, WA
• Perfectly Cordial, Rhonda Cammon — Antioch, TN
• Pholk Beauty, Niambi Cacchioli — Union City, NJ
• Popadelics, Marilyn Yang — New York, NY
• Southern Roots Vegan Bakery, Cara Pitts — Converse, TX
• SWOOP., Virginia Peterson — Anchorage, AK
• Three Keys Coffee, Kenzel Fallen — Houston, TX
• Todo Verde, Jocelyn Ramirez — Los Angeles, CA
• True Scoops, Shelly Marshall & Kelly Williamson — Brooklyn, NY

To learn more about the Launch Program and this year's grantees, please visit: https://www.ladieswholaunch.org/launch-program

The continued growth and success of the Launch Program is made possible with generous support from partners like Ann Taylor, The Home Depot, Amazon and more. Ladies Who Launch relies on philanthropic support to sustain and expand the Launch Program and other resources for small business owners. To learn how to get involved, please email [email protected].

About Ladies Who Launch:

Ladies Who Launch is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that celebrates, elevates, and empowers women and non-binary small business owners and entrepreneurs to scale and sustain the businesses of their dreams.

Through free, practical education, funding, and networking opportunities, we are creating a close-knit, supportive, and inclusive community where small business owners not only survive but thrive.

SOURCE Ladies Who Launch