Two opportunities for entrepreneurs are on tap in Buffalo.
Scale Up NY round two
Local Initiatives Support Corp. and General Motors are hosting a second round of Scale Up WNY grants.
The program targets Black-owned businesses in Western New York, furnishing them with $5,000 to $15,000 grants and business support.
Through GM funding, the first round of grants funneled $150,000 to 15 Black-owned businesses in the construction, digital technology and diversity, equity and inclusion consulting.
The second round of funding will consider businesses in construction, energy infrastructure, information technology, health care, manufacturing, childcare and DEI consulting.
The grants are tailored to Black-owned businesses that are undercapitalized but ripe for growth, and are designed specifically to support procurement opportunities.
“This grant will support Black businesses with capital and other resources, so they are ready fore growth as state and federal opportunities arise,” said Tyra Johnson Hux, deputy director of LISC WNY.
The application deadline is April 20. Applications can be found here.
EforAll Buffalo
EforAll Buffalo is accepting applications for its spring pitch contest.
The deadline is April 11.
The contest is open to anyone who is seeking to validate their business idea, and the general public is invited to attend. Prizes for winners are chosen by a panel of judges, and include a $1,000 grand prize, $750 second-place prize, $500 third place prize and $500 fan favorite prize, chosen by an audience vote.
This is the second All Ideas Pitch Contest EforAll has run since it launched in May 2021. The event will be held virtually.
