Grid110

Digital driver’s licenses are shaping the future of secure identity verification, offering businesses a safer, more efficient way to verify credentials while reducing the risk of fraud. And one of our incredible alumni companies, Entidad, is leading the charge in bringing this innovation to life! ?? Entidad, founded by Rene Solorzano and Jesus Torres and part of our 2023 PledgeLA Founders Fund Program, was recently featured on ABC7 News Bay Area for their participation in the CA DMV Mobile Driver License Hackathon. Their groundbreaking product, Unmio, earned them two prestigious distinctions: Most Convincing Use Case and Most Socially Impactful Use Case! ?? Unmio leverages the CA mDL (mobile driver’s license) to provide seamless, secure credential-sharing for users while helping businesses save time, make data-driven decisions, and strengthen community connections. ?? Huge congratulations to Rene and Jesus on this outstanding win! Catch their feature on ABC7 here:?https://lnkd.in/gEB-rwBW

Founders, check out these #GRANTS and #accelerators with upcoming deadlines!????Apply now and share with fellow founders.??? CéCRED X BeyGOOD Foundation FUND $10k | Each year, 25 $10k grants will be awarded to qualifying salon business owners in Atlanta, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, and New Jersey so they can continue their transformative impact in the community. ????Apply by 11/20:?https://lnkd.in/eVf4v3dn 2025 Accounting and Finance Startup Accelerator $25k | The AICPA and?CPA.com?Startup Accelerator helps grow startups throughout the accounting ecosystem so the innovators and cutting-edge solutions can help transform the profession. ????Apply by 11/30:?https://lnkd.in/dU4bRyg Freed Fellowship Grant $500 | Every month, the Freed Fellowship gives a $500 grant to a business owner to invest in their existing business. ????Apply by 11/30:?https://lnkd.in/eE7C3psb Coach K Legacy Grant $2.5k | Coach K is giving away $2,500 every quarter to help aspiring entrepreneurs & existing business owners take their businesses to the next level. ????Apply by 12/10:?https://lnkd.in/dEQmFbzT Verizon Small Business Grants $10k | The latest round of Verizon’s $10,000 small business grants just launched. Unlock free opportunities to grow your business and apply for a $10,000 grant. ????Apply by 12/12:?https://lnkd.in/g3PHCXiv SoGal Foundation Black Founder Startup Grant $5k+ | Offers grants and tactical help to Black women or Black nonbinary entrepreneurs looking to scale their business. ????Apply on rolling basis:?https://lnkd.in/g-MX-H4R Google Ads (Google Partner) Grants Up to $10k | Each qualifying nonprofit has access to up to $10,000 per month in search ads shown on?Google.com. Additional Google Ads may be purchased in a separate account. ????Apply on a rolling basis:?https://lnkd.in/fcaGtUH The Roddenberry Foundation Catalyst Fund Up to $15k | The Catalyst Fund makes grants between $2.5k - $15k to anyone with an early-stage idea or project that addresses pressing global challenges. ????Apply on a rolling basis:?https://lnkd.in/eU5YW4n ???Want more resources like this? Subscribe to Grid110’s email newsletter:?https://lnkd.in/g-EyV_QS #grants #accelerators #resources #founders #entrepreneurship #capital

Looking to secure a City of LA business or vendor contract? ?? ProcureLA is connecting small businesses with LA's big opportunities. This program is a great opportunity for businesses interested in?applying for contracts when the World Cup, Super Bowl, and Olympic & Paralympic games come to Los Angeles. Currently accepting applications, Procure LA aims to provide procurement education and connect vendor networks with major private and public industry stakeholders in the City of Los Angeles. Receive direct support from Pacific Asian Consortium in Employment (PACE) and City of Los Angeles. ?? Learn more and apply here: https://www.procurela.com/

Last month our Launchpad founders took the stage during #LATechWeek to share their innovative ventures. Including: ???Easy-install foot-pedal faucet to save water (Faucet Hero) ???Nutritious baby food inspired by global flavors (Comi) ???All subscriptions in one easy monthly payment (Bundul) With support from our sponsor PledgeLA, this Founder Showcase brought together a powerful collective of underrepresented founders, funders, and allies actively supporting LA’s startup ecosystem. Thank you to BioscienceLA for hosting us and to SE?OREATA for the delicious Cuban bites. Congrats to our Launchpad entrepreneurs for graduating the program and going on to join our community of alumni founders. This isn’t the end, but the beginning. ?? Support their journeys ?? Angelica Heredia, M.A. Breon Waters II Ella Wahlestedt Layermor Fragrance Jasen Mehta Jenn Chang supermagic Jenny Vazquez-Newsum, Ed.D. Olamide Oladimeji Bundul Randall Bailey Elie Rubix Tech AI Rena Brar Prayaga StoryKasa Selva I. Miranda Rachel Norman Stephen Hargett Derrick Crayton wrkspace Tania Nguyen Shoutout to the Grid110 team supporting these founders through the program and making this event happen Juan Young Estelle Potdevin Ali Zafiris Maya Cheung Avery Pollick Joe Magee Trevor Wilkins Bomani Mintz-Johnson #InclusiveInnovation #Entrepreneurship #CommunityBuilding

Founders, check out these #GRANTS and #accelerators with upcoming deadlines!????Apply now and share with fellow founders.??? The Micro Charity Grant $5k | The Micro Charity Grant was created to acknowledge the vital role that micro-charities play in addressing critical needs and filling essential gaps in communities. ????Apply by 11/15:?https://lnkd.in/gQxC9pDF SEPHORA Beauty Grant $100k | Apps are open for the second annual Sephora Beauty Grant in partnership with the Fifteen Percent Pledge, awarding one Black business owner within the beauty industry a $100k grant to unlock the next level of growth and potential. ????Apply by 11/15:?https://lnkd.in/d2pc6mSs Small Business Hurricane Recovery Grant Program $5k | The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation has launched the Small Business Hurricane Recovery grant program in partnership with American Express to support small businesses impacted by Hurricanes Helene and Milton. ????Apply by 11/17:?https://lnkd.in/dxwGq47r Verizon Small Business Grants $10k | The latest round of Verizon’s $10k small business grants just launched. Unlock free opportunities to grow your business and apply for a $10k grant. ????Apply by 12/12:?https://lnkd.in/g3PHCXiv FedEx Entrepreneur Fund and Boost Camp Program $10k | Applications for the FedEx Entrepreneur Fund and Boost Camp Program, in collaboration with Hello Alice and the Global Entrepreneurship Network (GEN), are open. ????Apply by 12/13:?https://lnkd.in/dERN__b8 BIPOC Small Business Accelerator Up to $5k | PeopleFund’s BIPOC Small Business Accelerator provides underserved entrepreneurs in Texas with capital, education, and resources. ????Apply by 1/3:?https://lnkd.in/gaadj8ne California’s Paid Family Leave Grant Program Up to $2k | This Grant program is geared toward helping small businesses offset increased costs that may arise when an employee is out on leave. ????Apply on a rolling basis:?https://lnkd.in/gJur7e_p HerSuiteSpot HerRise Microrgants $1k | The HerRise MicroGrants, offering $1k each, are open to women of color entrepreneurs across diverse fields. ????Apply on a rolling basis:?https://lnkd.in/eNAi4TXW ???Want more resources like this? Subscribe to Grid110’s email newsletter:?https://lnkd.in/g-EyV_QS #grants #accelerators #resources #founders #entrepreneurship #capital

Pitch competitions, jazz concerts, book launches, and more! Explore all of the upcoming ways you can support and engage with our amazing portfolio companies!??? ???Layermor Fragrance: Gen Z Clean Beauty Launch Party ????11/9, 7:30pm - 10:00pm ???Register here:?https://lnkd.in/gDB_viZJ ???Tania Nguyen of Selects Active Beauty: Competing in Vermont Slauson Economic Development Corporation (VSEDC)’s $25K Grand Pitch Competition ????11/9, 12:00pm - 4:00pm ?? Register here:?https://lnkd.in/gFXidttp ??Tepito Coffee: Homie 2 Homie event ????11/10, 10:00am - 11:00am ???Learn more here:?https://lnkd.in/ge4HKSMH ???Stephen Hargett of wrkspace: Competing in Plug In Ventures’ Fall 2024 Pitch Competition ????11/12, 3:00pm - 5:00pm ???Register here:?https://lu.ma/0y0gwca5 ???Muslim Women Professionals (MWP): Rights, Resilience, & Activism in the Workplace coffee chat ????11/16, 11:00am - 1:00pm ???Register here:?https://lu.ma/wio9tze7 ???CON TODO PRESS: Book launch celebration with crafts, bites, storytime, and more ????11/17, 10:00am - 1:00pm ???Register here:?https://lnkd.in/gkkRQbxm ???The Plant Chica: D’Vine Plant Market with unique plants, handmade crafts, and green supplies ????11/23, 10:00am - 3:00pm ???Registerr here:?https://lnkd.in/gaS-haJE ???Jazz Hands For Autism: 10 year anniversary celebration concert ????11/23, 2:00pm - 5:00pm ???Register here:?https://lnkd.in/g_hqSUMy ???Flavors From Afar: A Night of Nostalgia culinary experience ????12/7, 7:00pm - 11:00pm ???Register here:?https://lnkd.in/gnmwU-eF ???Want to stay up to date with our portfolio companies and the Grid110 community? Subscribe to our monthly newsletter here:?https://lnkd.in/g-EyV_QS #FounderStories #SupportFounders #DiverseFounders #Entrepreneur #Community

TLDR: GO VOTE! And tap in to our portfolio company, 1000 MORE, for election and advocacy resources. Today, we celebrate the power of every voice and every choice. ??? Election Day is a reminder of the impact we each have in shaping the future. If you want to stay updated on the election status, learn more about different policies, or are looking to get in contact with elected officials, we highly encourage you to visit 1000 MORE, a nonpartisan app and civic empowerment platform focused on ensuring that democracy is accessible to all people. 1000 MORE, founded by D'Seanté Parks, an alum of our 2022 Friends & Family Program in partnership with Slauson & Co., was founded on the belief that if “people knew how powerful their voice is in a democracy, they would realize their full civic power.”?Most recently, they have just released their new app, focused on dismantling barriers to civic participation and crowdfunding advocacy on bills moving through congress. ?? Let’s honor the opportunity to have a say, stand up for our beliefs, and continue to build a community that reflects us all. Your. Vote. Matters. ?? ?? Visit the 1000 MORE website and learn more here:?https://www.1000more.org

Founders, check out these #GRANTS and #accelerators with upcoming deadlines!????Apply now and share with fellow founders.??? Relay x Entreprenista Media Sweepstakes $1k | Entreprenista has partnered with Relay to provide one founder with a $1k bonus for their business, a lifetime membership to The Entreprenista League, and 6 months free of Relay Pro. ????Apply by 11/11:?https://lnkd.in/gvSeNfNv Techstars AI Health Baltimore $120k Investment | A new healthcare accelerator program powered by The Johns Hopkins University and CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield. Designed to support early stage entrepreneurs in the intersection of AI and healthcare. ????Apply by 11/20:?https://lnkd.in/eGGtWS94 Meta Llama Impact Grants Up to $100k | These programs solicit proposals from organizations who will use Llama to address some of the worlds’ most pressing challenges. ????Apply by 11/22:?https://lnkd.in/gx72939m Verizon Digital Ready Superfan Grant $25k | In partnership with Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC), Verizon is providing 3 $25k grants and a trip to Superbowl LIX. ????Apply by 11/22:?https://lnkd.in/gjtcgRhH Awesome Foundation Grant $1k | The Awesome Foundation awards $1k grants every month to founders who are looking to take their idea to the next stage. ????Apply by 11/30:?https://lnkd.in/gMKbs8Dg Freed Fellowship Grant $500 | Every month, the Freed Fellowship gives a $500 grant to a business owner to invest in their existing business. ????Apply by 11/30:?https://lnkd.in/eE7C3psb Woman Small Business Grant $1k | Women entrepreneurs: Apply now for the chance to receive a $1k business grant. All applicants will also receive a free 1-month membership into their wealth mindset coaching Facebook Group. ????Apply by 11/30:?https://lnkd.in/gcgfew2X Just Thrive Program $6k | The Just Thrive Program is on a mission to create more equitable access to the basic business infrastructure needed to get companies up and running by offering up to $6k in assistance for HR and payroll to companies with underrepresented founders. ????Apply on a rolling basis:?https://lnkd.in/g-ykvQKN AMAKA Studio Grants $500 | Each month, AMAKA Studio will award a $500 subscription credit to two deserving businesses. This credit can be used towards a software subscription of their choice. ????Apply on a rolling basis:?https://lnkd.in/gB84gT-7 ???Want more resources like this? Subscribe to Grid110’s email newsletter:?https://lnkd.in/g-EyV_QS #grants #accelerators #resources #founders #entrepreneurship #capital

Resilience isn’t just a quality; it's the backbone of entrepreneurship. Without resilience, even the best ideas risk fading; with it, entrepreneurs turn visions into lasting impact. One of our own, jocelyn ramirez - founder of Todo Verde and 2022 PledgeLA Founders Fund alum - embodies this spirit.?? Most recently, Jocelyn was selected for TMC Community Capital’s The REAL List, where she was recognized in the Resilience category for “her dedication to healthy living and cultural heritage.”??? The REAL List is TMC Community Capital’s inaugural acknowledgement of businesses who represent Resilience, Empowerment, Ambition, and Limitless opportunities. The organization stated “with a best-selling cookbook and a newly launched retail product line, Jocelyn’s impact on the food scene is undeniable.” Since joining the Grid110 community in 2022, Jocelyn has had some amazing wins, including being featured in The Los Angeles Times, The New York Times Cooking, and on NBCUniversal's Today Show!??? ???Congratulations Jocelyn, on this incredible achievement! Read more here:?https://lnkd.in/gPCypWai

Founders, check out these #GRANTS and #accelerators with upcoming deadlines!????Apply now and share with fellow founders.??? The David Prize $200k | The David Prize is a celebration of New Yorkers with ideas for extraordinary change. They believe that New York City’s best and biggest resource is its people and that New Yorkers who are proximate to the City’s greatest challenges will build the best solutions. ????Apply by 11/11:?https://lnkd.in/gc3JQmh8 The Micro Charity Grant $5k | The Micro Charity Grant was created to acknowledge the vital role that micro-charities play in addressing critical needs and filling essential gaps in communities around the world. ????Apply by 11/15:?https://lnkd.in/gQxC9pDF Catalyst 2025 - Robin Hood Blue Ridge Labs $100k Investment | Catalyst is a five-month incubator to grow early-stage organizations into full-fledged, sustainable organizations that tackle economic inequality. ????Apply by 11/15:?https://lnkd.in/gX7rc_JF SEPHORA Beauty Grant $100k | Apps are open for the second annual Sephora Beauty Grant, awarding one Black business owner within the beauty industry a $100k grant to unlock the next level of growth and potential for their brand. ????Apply by 11/15:?https://lnkd.in/d2pc6mSs eBay Circular Fashion Fund $50k | Businesses will have the chance to secure up to $50K in funding and advance to pitch their business model to eBay's global leadership team. This is an opportunity to be awarded ‘eBay Circular Fashion Innovator of the Year’ and receive an additional investment of up to $300K. ????Apply by 11/15:?https://lnkd.in/dfh94NVR Gusto Impact Awards $50k | Enter for a chance at $50k in prizes and free payroll service for a year. Winners will receive $40k in local advertising and $10k in cash. ????Apply by 11/20:?https://lnkd.in/gXiEfTkn Catalyst Grant Program $40k | Urban Institute is seeking proposals for projects that advance the focus areas of the Microsoft Justice Reform Initiative. ????Apply by 11/22:?https://lnkd.in/esGEiBi5 National Association for the Self-Employed (NASE) growth grants $4k | Since 2006, the NASE has awarded nearly $1,000,000 to members through the Growth Grants program by providing small business grants. ????Apply on a rolling basis:?https://lnkd.in/gNp2YMEb ???Want more resources like this? Subscribe to Grid110’s email newsletter:?https://lnkd.in/g-EyV_QS #grants #accelerators #resources #founders #entrepreneurship #capital