Indiana is home to a thriving business community, and there are a number of resources available to help businesses succeed. However, some resources are more tailored to the needs of specific businesses, such as Black-owned businesses. Here we will highlight some of the tailored resources available to Indiana businesses. We will focus on resources that are specifically designed to help Black-owned businesses, but many of these resources can also be helpful to other businesses. Why Are Tailored Resources Important? Tailored resources can be important for a number of reasons. First, they can help ..read more

The Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) is offering a $93.5m Capital Readiness Program grant competition to help minority, women and other underserved entrepreneurs launch and scale their businesses. Organizations that have not traditionally focused their services on underserved communities are encouraged to form strategic alliances to apply for funding. Up to $3 million will be awarded over four years per grantee. APPLICATIONS ARE DUE ON FEBRUARY 28, 2023. Applicants must submit their applications for funding via grants.gov. This Program will provide funding to incubators, accelerator ..read more

Future Collective for Black-Owned Businesses, Fiverr’s fellowship program 2023 to support Black entrepreneurs. The Future Collective supports Black entrepreneurs by maximizing their opportunities for growth. The program was founded on our responsibility and desire to use our privileged position in the corporate world to enable a more equitable playing field for entrepreneurs who face systemic structures, cultural barriers, or life circumstances working against them. Deadline: 8th November 2022. Capital Awardees will each receive $24,000—$18,000 in cash and $6,000 in Fiverr credit. The $18,000 ..read more

With financial support from Cummins, through their Cummins Advocating for Racial Equity (CARE) initiative, and the Local Initiatives Support Corporation, LISC Indianapolis has established a real estate assistance fund to provide up to $20,000 grants for Black businesses in Indianapolis that are seeking to purchase commercial property or retain their commercial property through capital improvements. This grant can be applied toward the down payment and/or closing costs. This opportunity is available for eligible businesses approved for a real estate loan from one of the Indianapolis Small Busin ..read more

TechPoint, a not-for-profit growth accelerator for Indiana’s tech ecosystem, is partnering with InnoPower, a community development organization that helps low-income communities and people of color, to increase opportunities for Black Hoosiers in the tech sector. The partners plan to facilitate “Design Thinking” sessions, in which a series of gatherings will focus on developing Black tech talent in Indianapolis, Fort Wayne and Gary. TechPoint CEO Ting Gootee says the organizations are working to inclusively grow Indiana’s tech sector by 41,000 people by 2030. “This partnership will be key to r ..read more

The Alibaba.com Manifest Grants Program will provide $10,000 in cash grants + up to $5,000 in logistics support to 50 small businesses that have innovative product ideas and strategies. In addition, one grant recipient from the 50 winning businesses will be selected in February to receive additional funding and be featured at Alibaba.com’s next global event for having the most innovative product! Eligibility To be eligible, applicants must: Be a registered business based in the United States Have a new or existing innovative physical product, currently on the market or expected to be viable w ..read more

When starting out, entrepreneurs often feel that their business is doomed to fail because it does not have the same financial backing as its competitors. While big brands can afford expensive marketing campaigns, small business owners need to get creative with every budget dollar they spend. Here are 10 cost-effective marketing tips that small business owners can use to reach more potential customers and get the most from every cent. Establish a brand identity that attracts customers. A consistent brand experience can help you gain loyal clients, build trust, and help people remember your busi ..read more

The state of Indiana is set to receive up to $99.1 million in federal funding to expand access to and increase capital for entrepreneurs, startups and small businesses. The Indiana Economic Development Corp. announced Monday that Indiana is one of the first 14 states approved by the U.S. Department of Treasury for the State Small Business Credit Initiative. The Strategic Security and Border Control Investment, which was established in 2010, was reauthorized and funded through the American Rescue Plan Act in 2021. The IEDC says this funding is expected to leverage $10 in follow-on investment fo ..read more

IMPACT Central Indiana and PitchFeast are partnering to host two investment events called “Impact Central Indiana PitchFeast.” The events are set for March 29 and September 27, 2021! 10 entrepreneurs will have the opportunity during each event to showcase their company or start-up to a group of investors and bid for an opportunity to raise start-up funding that will help the company expand. Investments are given in the form of loans of low interest and in the amount(s) of $25,000 for the first prize, $15,000 for the second prize, and $10,000 fo ..read more

In the United States, the month of February is known as Black History Month, an annual celebration of African American achievement and recognition of the group’s place in U.S. history. For other than U.S. citizens, there is also a month devoted to celebrating black culture around the world—including in Canada and the United Kingdom (UK). Origins of Black History Month The story of Black History Month begins in 1915, half a century after the Thirteenth Amendment abolished slavery in the United States. In September of that year, Harvard-trained historian Carter G. Woodson and prominent minister ..read more