Fe/male Switch: Your Startup Facilitator & Incubator for Women
2025-05-02 07:36 Top 15

Top 15 Startup Competitions for Female Entrepreneurs in 2025

Top 15 Startup Competitions for Female Entrepreneurs in 2025

Empowered and ambitious, female entrepreneurs continue to break barriers and innovate across industries. In 2025, a plethora of competitions and grant opportunities await those looking to launch or expand their businesses. Below is a carefully curated list of the Top 15 Startup Competitions for Female Entrepreneurs in 2025, offering various avenues for funding, mentorship, and recognition.
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1. Amber Grant

Description: The Amber Grant Foundation awards multiple grants each month to women-owned businesses.
Grant Amount: $10,000 monthly grants, with three $25,000 year-end grants.
Eligibility: Must be 18+, 50%+ women-owned, operating in the U.S. or Canada.
Application: Ongoing; apply via their website.

2. IFundWomen Universal Grant Application Database

Description: IFundWomen provides a database of various grants and funding opportunities specifically for women-owned businesses.
Grant Amount: Varies based on the specific grant.
Eligibility: Varies depending on each individual grant’s criteria.
Application: Through their online platform; check more on their website.
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3. HerRise Microgrant

Description: Monthly microgrants dedicated to women of color entrepreneurs.
Grant Amount: $1,000 monthly.
Eligibility: 51%+ women-owned businesses, registered in the U.S., with gross revenue not exceeding $1 million.
Application: Monthly applications accepted; apply through their website.

4. YippityDoo Big Idea Grant

Description: A monthly grant awarded to women entrepreneurs for innovative ideas.
Grant Amount: $1,000.
Eligibility: Must be U.S.-based, 18+, and either own a business or have a business idea.
Application: Simple application form with a $15 fee; more details on their website.

5. Galaxy Grant

Description: This grant supports women entrepreneurs.
Grant Amount: Varies according to specific applications.
Eligibility: Open to women-owned businesses operating in the U.S. and Canada.
Application: Applications accepted online; details can be found on their website.

6. Santander's Cultivate Small Business

Description: This program targets early-stage entrepreneurs in the food industry.
Grant Amount: Up to $13,000 in capital grants.
Eligibility: Food industry businesses, at least one year in operation, particularly focusing on women, immigrant, and BIPOC owners.
Application: Check their website for specific application dates.

7. EmpowHER Grants

Description: Grants from Boundless Futures Foundation for female small-business owners.
Grant Amount: Reimbursement up to $25,000 for approved business expenses.
Eligibility: Applicants must be 22+, with a business established within the last three years, addressing societal issues.
Application: Quarterly deadlines; visit their website for updates.
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8. Her Village Grant

Description: Grants for nonprofits that support female entrepreneurs.
Grant Amount: Range from $5,000 to $30,000.
Eligibility: Nonprofits dedicated to empowering female entrepreneurs.
Application: Check updates on their website for 2025 details.

9. Women Founders Network Fast Pitch Competition

Description: This is a pitch competition for U.S. women-owned businesses.
Grant Amount: $25,000 grants.
Eligibility: Businesses must be U.S.-based and have raised less than $750,000.
Application: Opens from April 1 to May 31, 2025; get specifics on their website.

10. Enthuse Foundation Pitch Competition

Description: An annual pitch competition aimed at female entrepreneurs.
Grant Amount: $15,000 grand prize, plus a $10,000 runner-up prize.
Eligibility: Open to all female entrepreneurs.
Application: Dates not yet announced for 2025; check their website for updates.

11. SCORE Women's Pitch Contest

Description: A pitch contest that rewards women-led businesses.
Prize Amount: A total of $35,000 in cash prizes.
Eligibility: Open to women entrepreneurs.
Application: Check their website for details on applications and deadlines.

12. WomanUp & Pitch Competition (Michigan Women Forward)

Description: Business plan and pitch competition with multiple regional events across Michigan.
Prize Amount: Varies, including cash and mentorship opportunities.
Eligibility: Must be Michigan-based and for-profit with 51%+ woman ownership.
Application: Opens October 17, 2024; latest updates available on their website.

13. KPMG Female Founders in Africa Competition

Description: Focused on female founders in Africa, this competition supports high-growth ventures.
Prize Amount: Includes mentorship, investor connections, and visibility.
Eligibility: High-growth ventures should be led by women in Africa.
Application: Apply through their website.

14. US Women in Tech Accelerator

Description: An accelerator program focused on tech-based or tech-enabled startups.
Grant Amount: Two startups will win $25,000 in grant capital.
Eligibility: U.S.-based for-profit companies led by women, with fewer than 10 employees and under $100K annual revenue.
Application: Closes January 31, 2025; more details can be found on their website.

15. BMO Celebrating Women Grant

Description: This grant targets women-owned small businesses in the U.S. and Canada.
Grant Amount: $10,000 for eligible businesses (recent funding round).
Eligibility: Must be a for-profit entity that is 51%+ women-owned and based in the U.S. or Canada.
Application: Further details are available on their website.

16. Google for Startups Accelerator: Women Founders

Description: A 12-week hybrid accelerator for Seed to Series A tech startups located in Europe and Israel.
Prize: Participants will gain mentorship and access to Google resources.
Eligibility: Technology startups using AI, based in Europe and Israel.
Application: Opens until January 24, 2025; visit their website for details.

17. Unlock Her Futureâ„¢ Prize (The Bicester Collection)

Description: Competition for female social impact entrepreneurs operating in South Asia.
Prize: Offers up to $100,000 grant, an education program, mentorship, and networking opportunities.
Eligibility: Open to women from multiple South Asian countries with social impact startups.
Application: More information can be found on their website.

18. Women Founders Competition (University of Colorado Boulder)

Description: A competitive platform comprising multiple rounds aimed at entrepreneurs.
Prize: Participants can share a total of $15,000 in prizes.
Eligibility: Teams must include at least one woman as a core member.
Application: Registration opens February 8, 2025; further details on their website.
Important Note: This list is not exhaustive, and new opportunities may emerge throughout 2025. Verify all information, deadlines, and eligibility criteria directly on the official websites of each program.
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FAQ

Q: What is the Amber Grant and what benefits does it offer?
A: The Amber Grant provides monthly grants of $10,000 to women-owned businesses, along with three $25,000 year-end grants. Learn more about Amber Grant.
Q: How can I access multiple grants for women entrepreneurs?
A: IFundWomen offers a Universal Grant Application Database that lists various grants and funding opportunities for women-owned businesses. Explore IFundWomen.
Q: What is the HerRise Microgrant?
A: The HerRise Microgrant offers monthly microgrants of $1,000 specifically for women of color businesses in the U.S. Discover HerRise Microgrant.
Q: What does the YippityDoo Big Idea Grant provide?
A: The YippityDoo Big Idea Grant is a monthly $1,000 grant for women entrepreneurs, requiring a simple application process and a $15 fee. Check out YippityDoo.
Q: Who can apply for the Galaxy Grant?
A: The Galaxy Grant is available to women-owned businesses in the U.S. and Canada, with the grant amount varying. Learn more about Galaxy Grant.
Q: What is Santander's Cultivate Small Business program?
A: This program offers up to $13,000 in capital grants for early-stage entrepreneurs in the food industry, focusing on women, immigrant, and BIPOC owners. Find out more about Santander's program.
Q: What are the EmpowHER Grants?
A: EmpowHER grants provide reimbursements up to $25,000 for business expenses, targeting female small business owners aged 22 and over who established their businesses within the last three years. Learn about EmpowHER Grants.
Q: What is the Women Founders Network Fast Pitch Competition?
A: This competition awards $25,000 in grants to U.S. women-owned businesses that have not raised more than $750,000. Get more details on Women Founders Network.
Q: What is the KPMG Female Founders in Africa Competition?
A: This competition supports high-growth ventures led by women in Africa, providing mentorship, investor connections, and visibility. Discover KPMG's competition.
Q: How can I apply for the Google for Startups Accelerator: Women Founders?
A: The accelerator is designed for Seed to Series A tech startups based in Europe and Israel using AI technology, providing mentorship and access to resources. Applications are open until January 24, 2025. Explore Google for Startups Accelerator.

About the Author

Violetta Bonenkamp, also known as MeanCEO, is an experienced startup founder with an impressive educational background including an MBA and four other higher education degrees. She has over 20 years of work experience across multiple countries, including 5 years as a solopreneur and serial entrepreneur.
Violetta is a true multiple specialist who has built expertise in Linguistics, Education, Business Management, Blockchain, Entrepreneurship, Intellectual Property, Game Design, AI, SEO, Digital Marketing, cyber security and zero code automations. Her extensive educational journey includes a Master of Arts in Linguistics and Education, an Advanced Master in Linguistics from Belgium (2006-2007), an MBA from Blekinge Institute of Technology in Sweden (2006-2008), and an Erasmus Mundus joint program European Master of Higher Education from universities in Norway, Finland, and Portugal (2009).
She is the founder of Fe/male Switch, a startup game that encourages women to enter STEM fields, and also leads CADChain, and multiple other projects like the Directory of 1,000 Startup Cities with a proprietary MeanCEO Index that ranks cities for female entrepreneurs. Violetta created the "gamepreneurship" methodology, which forms the scientific basis of her startup game. She also builds a lot of SEO tools for startups. Her achievements include being named one of the top 100 women in Europe by EU Startups in 2022 and being nominated for Impact Person of the year at the Dutch Blockchain Week. She is an author with Sifted and a speaker at different Universities. Recently she published a book on Startup Idea Validation the right way: from zero to first customers and beyond and launched a Directory of 1,500+ websites for startups to list themselves in order to gain traction and build backlinks.