Women's Business Development Council

The Women’s Business Development Council’s Opportunity Fund is pleased to offer the Equity Match 
Grant Program, providing much needed cash grants of up to $10,000 to women and minority 
entrepreneurs.
Grants are awarded to small businesses in Connecticut with clearly defined projects proven to have 
a measurable impact. WBDC encourages applications from businesses seeking to purchase critical 
business assets or pivot to an online business model to help the company grow revenue and improve 
overall cash flow. NOTE: Grant funds cannot be used towards operating expenses, payroll, or real 
estate improvements.

Applicants are required to provide a minimum of a 25% match. For example, a client receiving a 
$10,000 grant must have invested a minimum of 25% in their business over the past 12 months OR be 
able to invest an incremental $2,500 of their own funds at the time of grant distribution.

Qualified business applicants must be:
●     Women-owned, minority-owned businesses
●     Operating for a minimum of two years
●     Registered in CT and in good standing with the State

Only complete applications will be accepted for review. Materials include:
●     A Letter of Intent which includes a description of the project to be invested in, copies of 
invoices, estimates, proposals and a description of forecasted impact
●     A complete business plan, including two years of past financials (balance sheet, profit and 
loss, cash flow statement) and three years of financial projections
●     Complete Tax Returns – 2018, 2019 and 2020 (if available)
●     Copy of Business Bank Account statement
●     Proof of CT residency and business ownership, including Articles of Incorporation or a letter 
of good standing from the CT Secretary of State

Application Open Date:                 February 1 Application Closing Date:              February 
15 Grant awardees announced:        April 5 Grants distributed:                           April 15

For more information, please ctwbdc.org or email microgrants@ctwbdc.org.