Finance Your Business

The key to getting a business off the ground or taking it to the next level could very well be the right funding.

How would you grow your business if you had more money? Would you buy more equipment? Hire more help?

As the leader of entrepreneurial training and financial education for women throughout Connecticut

The Women’s Business Development Council has seen first hand the challenges that face many small business owners — especially when it comes to accessing new business capital. As a result, we have made it a top priority to provide technical assistance and micro-grants to business owners actively pursuing capital.

Our business and financial experts provide hands on counseling assistance on a variety of topics, including business plan review, financial forecasting, pitch presentation, loan application preparation, lending referrals and much more!  We also provide qualified candidates cash grants to supplement the equity they invest in their businesses.

The Women’s Business Development Council offers a number of opportunities to help you finance your business including:

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  Finding Funding for Your Business: Panel Discussion

  Hosted quarterly, you can hear from our experts and leading business lenders about the many financial resources that are available to help you expand your business, as well as the most effective way to proceed with your funding needs. Discover how to overcome obstacles in garnering capital needed to take advantage of marketplace opportunities to grow your business. View our upcoming schedule at http://ctwbdc.org/class-listings.

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  Access to Capital Counseling

  Expert WBDC advisors meet one-on-one to guide you in specific growth areas that suit your business needs best, and in determining which funding options are right for you. We also partner with CT Small Business Development Center (SBDC) advisors to offer comprehensive, tailored support to clients applying for funding. This counseling is limited to revenue-generating businesses operating for at least one year. For more information, contact Carol Cheswick at 203-353-1750 in our Stamford office, Kenyetta Banks at 203-751-9550 in our Derby office, or Laura Stetler at 860-574-9246 in our New London Office.

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  Equity Match Grants

  We support and invest in qualified Connecticut business owners through equity match grants of up to $10,000, to supplement the equity they invest in their business. Funds can be used for a new project or to purchase a business asset, helping the company grow its revenue, and improve profitability and cash flow. This program is limited to qualified WBDC clients - those that have been operating a business for at least one year, can demonstrate business model viability, have a complete business plan with 3 years of financial forecasts, and completion of WBDC's GPS business plan development program or equivalent education. Clients that meet the above criteria should visit our Equity Match Grant Program page to learn more: https://ctwbdc.org/equity-match-grant-program/

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  CT Small Business Express: Grant and Loan Program

  Work with our experts to learn about unique grant and loan opportunities to hire employees and expand your small business. Discover whether your established small business is eligible for a competitive grant of up to $100,000 or a loan up to $300,000 from CT’s Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD). This competitive program is best suited for established small businesses that need capital to strategically expand, but are unable to secure the level of financing from a bank.