Grants for Business Owners 18+ Years Old

• Must be a for-profit business actively operating (nonprofit organizations are ineligible)
• Majority-owned (51%) by a Latine entrepreneur
• Revenue-generating company that raised/earned between $0–$400K (funding or revenue) in 2024
• Tech or Non-Tech
• Headquartered in Allegheny County 
• Have between 1 – 10 employees (including part-time and contract staff)
• Must be able to provide a completed W9 form with an EIN, SS or other accepted Tax ID number

• Confirm that your business is eligible. 
• Review the video guidelines and record your best 2-minute video (in English or Spanish). 
• Hit the “Submit Video Button” to complete a quick form and share a link to your video. Make sure you submit your video by 11:59 PM ET on SEPTEMBER 19, 2025.
• Winners will be announced during our in-person event, Avanza Pittsburgh at Ascender on Saturday, October 18, 2025. 
• Grants ranging from $500-$5,000, plus (1) $500 to an aspiring youth entrepreneur.
• Did you already submit a video last year but didn’t win? If you’d like to participate again, please fill out the form and let us know “USE LAST YEAR’S VIDEO”
• Questions? Click here to reach out to the Ascender Team and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible

• Did you already submit a video last year but didn’t win? If you’d like to participate again, please fill out the form and let us know “USE LAST YEAR’S VIDEO”

• Prepare a 2-minute video (in English or Spanish); videos longer than 2 minutes will be disqualified.
• No slides necessary; a video recorded with your smartphone is perfect!
• In your 2-minute video, tell us: 
  • What do you sell? How do you make money? 
  • What makes you stand out from your competitors? 
  • What are some big business wins you are proud of? 
  • How would these funds help achieve a business goal?

• Good lighting is everything! Make sure to have enough light so that your face is visible. You can use lamps, natural lighting, or overhead lights to make sure we can see you.
• If you are using your computer or phone, ensure that your camera and mic are working by testing them first. 
• Find a quiet space to avoid background noises as much as possible, and make sure we can hear your wonderful 2-minute video! 
• Make a little script. Here’s an example script for an inspirational card company:

“Our company, Inspirational Card Co, sells unique and personalized greeting cards for all occasions. We make money by selling these cards through our online store and retail partnerships. What sets us apart from our competitors is our focus on creating cards with positive and uplifting messages, appealing to consumers who value making meaningful connections with loved ones. Some of our big business wins include partnerships with major local retailers and winning awards for our innovative designs. The funds would help us achieve our goal of expanding our product line to include a wider range of gift items, such as mugs, keychains, and journals, to expand our customer base and continue to spread positivity in people’s lives.” 

• Practice makes you more comfortable and confident. Feel free to do 1 or 2 practice runs to feel ready! 
• Upload your video to Youtube, Google Drive, Dropbox, or a similar platform so you can easily share a link with us. 

Grant for Aspiring Latinx Entrepreneurs Under 18 Years Old

 Eligibility:

• Have a business idea or established business
• Majority-owned (51%) by a Latinx entrepreneur
• Reside in Allegheny County