• Dream Investment Program

    Turn Your Dream Into a Business. Build Your Business Into Something Bigger. The Dream Investment Program is designed to support emerging and early-stage entrepreneurs through business development, mentorship, resources, and opportunities that help participants strengthen and grow their businesses.

  • Application deadline is October 22, 2026 at 11:59pm EDT.

  • Who is Eligible?

    The program centers Black girls, women, and femme-identifying entrepreneurs and welcomes applicants from historically underserved and under-resourced communities.

    Applicants must:

    • Must be 13 or older
    • Reside and provide service in one of Southern Black Girls and Women’s Consortium’s 13 Southern states (AL, AR, FL, GA, KY, LA, MS, NC, TN, TX, SC, WV, and VA)
    • Meet the requirements for either the Youth Entrepreneur or Early-Stage Entrepreneur track
    • Be committed to participating fully in the program

  • Business Eligibility

     

    • Must be a for-profit business located in one of the 13 Southeastern United States served by Southern Black Girls and Women’s Consortium,
    • Business activities must be legal and lawful according to applicable laws, statutes, codes, rules and regulations of its industry and within the region of its service area. 
    • Have a commitment to Black girls and women in the South.
    • Have a clear plan for how the funds will help achieve a significant growth milestone in the next year.

  • Program Schedule & Participation Commitment

    The Dream Investment Program will kick off on Saturday, November 14, 2026, with the final session scheduled for Saturday April 17, 2027.

    Meeting times are on Saturdays between 9am-12pm ET. Sessions will not be held during designated program holidays. A detailed program calendar, including session dates and holiday breaks, will be provided to selected participants.

    Participants are expected to complete at least 85% of the program, allowing up to three (3) missed sessions. Attendance at all designated mandatory sessions is required, and these sessions are not included in the allowable absences.

    Participants are required to complete a Pre-Assessment and Post-Assessment.

  • Parental Consent

  • Is the applicant between the ages of 13-17?*

  • Parental/Guardian Consent (Ages 13–17):

    Applicants between the ages of 13 and 17 must obtain consent from a parent or legal guardian to participate in the Dream Investment Program. A parent or legal guardian will be required to complete and sign a consent form before the applicant's participation is confirmed.

    Consent includes authorization to participate in program activities, training sessions, mentorship, and other required program components. 

    Please Note: Applicants ages 13–17 may submit an application; however, selection and participation are contingent upon receipt of completed parental or legal guardian consent.

  • Applicant Information

  • Applicant Demographics

  • Race and Ethnicity- How do you describe your race and/or ethnicity?*
  • Gender Identity- How do you identify?*

  • Applicant Category

  • Youth Entrepreneur Track

    • Age Requirement: 13–17 years old
    • Business Stage: Business idea, newly launched business, or an established business operating for less than two (2) years

     

    Early-Stage Entrepreneur Track

    • Age Requirement: 13 years or older
    • Business Stage: An established business operating for 2-5 years

  • Business Information

    We would love to know more about your business
  • Business Social Media Accounts- Add up to 3

  • Prior SBGWC Funding

  • Narrative Questions

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