Empower Black Women: Pepper Startup Grant

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We’re excited to share the inspiring story of Pepper, a small but impactful startup on a mission to make a difference. What began as a passionate idea to revolutionize beauty standards for overlooked women in the bra industry has evolved into something even more meaningful – the Pepper Startup Grant. This grant is dedicated to supporting Black women business owners, a group that has historically faced barriers when seeking venture capital funding. Pepper is here to change that narrative and foster the growth of underrepresented Black entrepreneurs, their way.

Hustling Against the Odds:

Pepper’s journey started with a bold move – taking $5,000 from their savings to bring their vision to life through a Kickstarter campaign. Instead of chasing rapid growth at any cost by seeking early-stage venture capital, they chose a different path. The founders believed in building their community on their own terms, embracing a hustle mentality and staying true to their values.

Giving Back: The Pepper Startup Grant:

Now, having successfully realized their own dreams, Pepper is committed to giving back to the community that supported them. Every year, they pay it forward by offering a no-strings-attached grant of $5,000 to aspiring Black women entrepreneurs. This initiative aims to provide the essential seed funding that is often inaccessible to marginalized groups.

More Than Just Funding:

But Pepper’s support doesn’t stop at financial assistance. They understand that building a successful business requires more than just capital. Alongside the grant, they also offer invaluable resources, exposure, and mentorship opportunities to the grant recipients. By tapping into their own networks and expertise, Pepper creates a supportive ecosystem to nurture and elevate the next generation of Black women business owners.

Empowering Underrepresented Voices:

Pepper’s vision extends far beyond the bra industry. Driven by a passion for change and inclusivity, they aim to dismantle the barriers faced by Black women entrepreneurs when seeking venture capital. Their commitment to promoting diversity and representation in the business world is a testament to their values and determination to empower underrepresented voices.

Changing Beauty Standards, One Step at a Time:

Pepper’s roots lie in the quest to revolutionize beauty standards, challenging societal norms that often exclude women from the bra industry. Now, this vision has expanded into a larger mission – to create opportunities for Black entrepreneurs to thrive, innovate, and succeed. By championing diversity and offering tailored support, Pepper is breaking down barriers and fostering a more inclusive business landscape.

The Program

One recipient will receive a zero-strings attached $5,000 financial grant and the following benefits:

Mentorship calls with the Founders of Pepper
Dedicated promotion on Pepper’s social media accounts
Access to consultations with experts in legal, fundraising, finance, marketing, website, and relevant fields as needed, to address your specific needs

Pepper partnered with Startup Girl Foundation a 501(c)(3) nonprofit venture capital fund investing in female founders to administer the grant.

Eligibility

Find out if you’re eligible:

Business in any industry
At least 50% of the business must be owned, controlled or operated and managed by Black or African-American, female or non-binary identifying owner(s)
At least 18 years old
U.S. resident and your business must have U.S. legal entity (i.e C-Corp, S-Corp, LLC, Sole Proprietorship, Partnership)
Early-stage business with less than $500K in external equity financing raised

At BlackOwnedAssociation.com, we are proud to feature inspiring stories like Pepper’s, which exemplify the power of entrepreneurship to drive positive change in the world. By creating the Pepper Startup Grant, they are making a significant impact in the lives of Black women business owners, providing them with the tools they need to pursue their dreams on their own terms. Together, let’s celebrate initiatives that uplift marginalized voices and contribute to a more equitable and prosperous future for all.