No longer accepting applications. Check back in 2022 for a new grant program.
Grow your business. Apply for our microgrant program to advance your idea and scale your business.
Innovate Charlotte is proud to announce the launch of its microgrant program for early-stage startups. For the program’s inaugural year, Jabian Consulting provided $20,000 to offer founders of early stage ventures the opportunity to win one of four $5,000 grants to support their development and growth. Applications open October 5, 2021 and close at the end of October (the 25th). The finalist pitch competition will be held on November 11th during Global Entrepreneurship Week.
About the Program
Jabian Consulting’s Project Amplify grant program teamed up with Innovate Charlotte to fund and support the INCLT microgrant program for local, Charlotte-based entrepreneurs. The goal of the program is to help local entrepreneurs who are pre-seed or early seed grow their idea and kickstart their business and to provide microgrants to Charlotte entrepreneurs as they navigate the early stages of their business journeys.
The INCLT Microgrant program was chosen by Jabian because it aligns to Project Amplify’s goal of supporting minority and women entrepreneurs.
Eligibility Requirements
- Must be early-stage, pre-seed/seed
- Must be high-growth potential startup
- Must have annual revenue of less than $100,000
- Must be a registered company
- Must have 51% of operations in the Greater Charlotte Area (includes the city of Charlotte and all surrounding counties)
- Must have at least one part-time individual within 6-12 months of applying for grant
- Must have been in business for at least a year
- Must be willing to engage in quarterly check-ins and reports
- Must describe how the funding will be used
Microgrant Program Timeline
- 10/05/21 – Application opens
- 10/25/21 – Application closes
- 11/1/21 – Finalists announced
- 11/11/21 @ 3pm – Pitch competition (@ Camp North End), winners announced
FAQs
Any established startup with high-growth potential can apply. Applicants must be a resident of the Greater Charlotte Area (Charlotte or surrounding counties).
The grant must be used for something that will measurably and materially drive the business forward. Examples include: customer discovery, product development (i.e. building an MVP), customer acquisition, research.
The grant winners will be selected by a panel of four judges that have experience with early-stage ventures.
The application for submission will open on October 5, 2021 and will close on October 25, 2021.
The winners for the first round will be announced on 11/1/21, and the winners of the final round will be announced on November 11th (the day of the pitch competition).
In order to select a grant winner, the panelists will judge the winners on the basis of the impact of the grant, impact in the community or the market the venture serves, company momentum, stage of development, and founder mindset.
The program will award four grants of $5,000 each.
More about Innovate Charlotte
Innovate Charlotte is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to connect entrepreneurial initiatives, activities, and strategic relationships to cultivate a better ecosystem for the benefit of all Charlotteans. Alongside the microgrant program, Innovate Charlotte also hosts the CO.STARTERS accelerator program, the Venture Mentoring Service Program, and the Navigator program, all of which are intended to improve the entrepreneurial journey by leveraging existing ecosystem assets, connecting dots among siloed participants, and filling the gaps in resources and activities.
More about Jabian Consulting
Jabian Consulting is a strategic management and technology consulting firm with an integrated approach to creating and implementing strategies, enhancing business processes, developing human capital, and better aligning technology – ultimately helping clients become more competitive and profitable. Jabian blends functional expertise, industry knowledge, and senior experience to think strategically and act practically. It’s a Strategy that Works®.
Headquartered in Atlanta, with additional offices in Chicago, Charlotte, and Dallas, Jabian Consulting works closely with our communities and takes an active role through our 501(c)3 foundation, Jabian Cares, providing financial assistance, volunteerism, and leadership.