Grant Guidelines

The StartHER grant is closed

Application Process – Dates and information will be updated before the 2025 grant opens

2024 StartHER Grant Winners

Purpose:

To provide woman-owned startups in Texas with the financial support to fuel their growth and drive success.

Grant amount:

$5,000

Who can apply?*

Eligible businesses must satisfy all of the following conditions:

• Existing Texas woman-owned businesses (51% directly owned and controlled by one or more women who are U.S. citizens or U.S. permanent residents) with five or fewer employees may apply (including the owner.)
• The business must currently be set up as a legal entity.
• The business must be located and operated within the state of Texas.
• Business must be five years or less (formed after 10/04/2019 - current.) – No date exceptions
• The business must be a for-profit corporation, partnership, LLP, LLC, or sole proprietorship. Non Profit Organizations are not eligible.
• If the business or business owner owns the premises where the business operates, all property taxes must be current.
• All sales, payroll, and other taxes must be current.
• Business owner(s) must not have any felonies or convictions for a crime of dishonesty or breach of trust.
• The business, business owner, and applicant must not be involved in any pending or current litigation.
• The business, owner, and applicant operate with all required permits and licenses and conform to all state laws.  Please check the Texas Taxable Entity Search page to verify your business is in good standing with the state:  https://mycpa.cpa.state.tx.us/coa/

Ineligible applicants/entities

• Non-profit organizations and other 501(C) entities.
• TWU faculty/staff (or any immediate family member of the applicant's family, including spouse, child, parent), trustee, and advisory committee member.
• Current TWU Students.
• Prior grant winners of any CWE grant program.Applicants who have participated in any CWE program in the last year including AccelerateHER, TechFW, CWE Virtual Accelerator, or NTEETC/Foundations EDC awardees.
• Current consultants with a contract with the CWE
• Anyone who has served as a judge for any CWE grant program

What can the funds be used for?

• Purchase of machinery, equipment, or technology.
• Inventory or raw materials.
• Merchandising fixtures and display units.
• Professional business certifications.
• Property improvements that will result in increased sales and revenue.
• Marketing, advertising, and social media campaigns.
• Any other business-related activity that CWE deems is aligned with the stated purpose of this program.

Funds can't be used for:

• Wages, salaries, bonuses, or compensation of any kind
• Real Property – including land or buildings
• Paying your regular monthly bills
• Sales tax

What will need to be uploaded to the grant application:

• Include legal entity documentation showing the business is 51% + woman-owned and controlled.  At least one of these documents must be submitted showing all owners.
  • Sole proprietor/assumed name/dba filing
  • LLC or LLP, Corporation documentation showing all managers
  • Certification of organization, articles of incorporation, partnership agreement showing members and percentage owned along with entity formation.
  • Any Woman-owned Certification
• One PDF with the Company Background and Project Information below (best to just copy this information and answer each question)
• Documentation for all expenses in your budget.  These could include proposals from a vendor, quotes or estimates, pictures from Amazon, preliminary invoices, etc.

Ineligible documentation that will disqualify your application:

• Entity documentation with business name only
• EIN
• Sales & Use Tax Permit
• IRS tax forms
• Driver’s license
• Credit card
• Passport
• Social Security Card
• Minority-owned business certification unless it specifically says woman-owned

Company Background and Project Information

Copy & Paste the information below into a PDF that you will upload to your online grant application — each question must be answered, put N/A if not applicable. This information is mandatory. If the judging committee can’t easily find the answer to these questions your application may be disqualified. 

Company Background

• Description of the company’s current operations including products, markets, etc.
• Description of the company’s current operating facilities – both owned and leased
• Summary of the company’s current full and part-time employment
• Description of the company’s need to undertake the proposed project

Project Narrative

• Budget for the project, including project costs and source and use of funds (see faq)
• Physical description of the proposed project, including any business or residential relocation that may result from the undertaking of the project
• Projected new employment for each of the three years following project completion including job title
• Explanation of how your project will contribute to the economy of Texas

What are the grant requirements?

• Funds must be matched by a minimum of 10% ($500) owner investment (cash, property, or equipment). The investment must not be associated with debt of any kind and must be committed and available to the project at the time of the grant application. The amount can be added to your budget as owner investment.  (see faqs)
• All grant funds must be spent and documentation submitted before July 31, 2025. 

Application process:

• Applications will only be accepted through the online portal and must be submitted by 5:00:00 p.m.. Revisions are not permitted following submission. Applications received after 5:00:00 p.m., Friday, Oct. 04, 2024, will be rejected.
• All questions must be answered and all required information and documentation must be included and easy for judges to locate.
• The applicant must attach documentation for all funds requested (for example: proposals from a vendor, quotes or estimates, pictures from Amazon, preliminary invoices, etc.). Incomplete and second applications will be rejected.

After you’ve been awarded:

• The successful applicant will receive two installments of the award:
• 1. $2,500 after signing the grant agreement, a photo release, and all required TWU paperwork for payment. 
     $2,500 following completion of a small business training course hosted by the Center for Women Entrepreneurs, 3 hours of small business advising/mentoring, and submission and approval of a completed business plan with three years of financials. Additionally, itemized paid receipts or proof of purchases made with initial grant funds of $2,500 (costs must have been incurred after receiving grant funding) must be provided to CWE to receive the remaining $2,500.
• The spreadsheet the CWE provides must be used to document receipts, advising, and other requirements for round 2 of funding.
• The University will send winners a 1099 for the grant funds received

FAQ

Questions?

cwegrants@twu.edu

Page last updated 4:55 PM, October 30, 2024