The Women’s Business Development Council (WBDC), which is headquartered in Stamford, is accepting applications for its 2025 Ignite Grant Program.
This opportunity offers grants of up to $10,000 to women-owned businesses in Connecticut that have been in business for two or more years and have revenues between $25,000 and $2 million. Grant applications are due by Monday, March 10.
WBDC is offering several information sessions as well as a “How to Calculate Projections” class to assist applicants with required documentation. Applicants who would like additional help preparing their application may book an appointment with a business advisor in English or Spanish at no cost.
Additional information about the program is available at the WBDC website.
Ignite, which is designed to help women-owned businesses grow, offers grants between $2,500 and $10,000 will be awarded for clearly defined projects that will have a measurable impact on the business, its growth and profitability. The grant funds cannot be used towards operating expenses, such as inventory, on-going marketing expenses, salaries, real estate improvements, reimbursement for past purchases or debt repayment.
Applicants are required to have invested at least $2,500 into their business in the last 12 months, unless located in a distressed municipality.
Additionally, companies must meet the following requirements:
- Be 51% or more woman-owned
- Be headquartered, registered and owned by a resident in the state
- Have been in business for at least two years before the application round deadline, with a record of sales
- Have a record of annual sales/revenue in the last twelve months greater than $25,000 and less than $2,000,000
- Be in good standing with the state Department of Revenue Services
- Have an established business bank account
- Utilize a formal, digital bookkeeping/financial system (e.g. QuickBooks, Sage, FreshBooks, Wave Accounting)
- Be a for-profit business
- Be owned by a woman at least 18 years old
The following types of companies are not eligible:
- Childcare businesses. If your business is in the childcare industry, WBDC has other programs (see Child Care Business Opportunity Fund)
- Any individual or business that has already received an Ignite Grant, Equity Match Grant or • WBDC Municipal Grant recipients
- Non-profit organizations are not eligible.
- Businesses established as sole proprietors
- Current vendors or contractors of WBDC
- Medical marijuana; liquor stores and alcohol distributors; adult businesses such as strip clubs; vape retailers; tobacco shops and smoking lounges; businesses having to do with gambling; gun stores and ranges; cash advance, check cashing, or pawn shops; bail bonds; collection agencies or services; and auction or bankruptcy or fire or “lost-our-lease” or “going-out-of-business” or similar sale.
