CWE recognizes 27 women veterans with entrepreneur grants

June 15, 2021—DENTON— As part of its ongoing effort to boost women-owned businesses, the Center for Women Entrepreneurs (CWE) at Texas Woman’s University has selected 27 female veterans in Texas to receive awards valued between $1,000 and $10,000 through its inaugural Veteran Woman Entrepreneur Grant program.

“Supporting veterans has long been a key mission for Texas Woman’s University,” said Tracy Irby, the center’s director. “Establishing a business grant program for female veterans was a natural step for us. We are proud to support these entrepreneurs who not only served their nation but are now contributing to the economies of their communities.”

Grant funding will be used for the purchase of machinery, equipment or technology, acquisition of new inventory or raw materials, purchase and installation of fixtures or display units, property improvements, marketing or other business-related activity that is aligned with the purpose of the program. The enterprise had to be an existing or to-be-formed veteran woman-owned, for-profit business, with the veteran having an honorable discharge, being on active duty in a military transition assistance program, or serving in the reserves or National Guard.

Awardees are required to complete a small business training course hosted by the CWE to receive funding. The course covers topics such as business plan development, marketing, legal, insurance, accounting and financing.

In all, 76 grant applications were received from across Texas. While this is the CWE’s first time to award grants specifically for female veteran business owners, over the past four years, more than $1.2 million in grants have been provided to female entrepreneurs by the center.

“We are thrilled to be able to support these women with the needed capital and training they need to give their businesses a boost and help them succeed,” Irby said. “It’s especially meaningful to announce these awards in June, when the nation observes Women Veterans Day on June 12.”

The CWE is part of TWU’s Jane Nelson Institute for Women’s Leadership. The institute is dedicated to preparing women to take on successful roles in business and public service, to have the education to establish careers as C-suite executives, and to learn the skills for building entrepreneurial businesses and the framework needed to run for public office.

Page last updated 8:56 AM, April 10, 2024