(Black PR Wire) BOSS Network, an online community of professional and entrepreneurial women who support each other through digital content, programs, and event-based networking, and accounting, finance, human resources, and payroll technology for small businesses. Sage, a leader in companies of Sage’s scale, recently announced 25 recipients of its 2024 Investing in Grants, which will support Black women entrepreneurs in their first five years.
BOSS Network and Sage’s “Invest in Progress” grant supports the BOSS Impact Fund with a three-year, $1.5 million commitment through the Sage Foundation. The BOSS Impact Fund has raised investment capital for over 500 Black women-led businesses and is focused on preparing entrepreneurs to: Build scalable, growth-aggressive companies.
In January 2024, participants were invited to apply for the “Invest in Progress” grant. This grant will provide 25 Black women entrepreneurs across the country the opportunity to receive her $10,000 capital investment to successfully launch and grow their businesses. Entrepreneur Mentoring Program supporting small businesses owned by Black women.
The partnership is in its third year and received more than 12,000 applications nationwide. This year’s honorees also include her four members from each of the Divine Nine sororities. Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.; Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Incorporated—National Pan-Hellenic Council, Incorporated, and Chicago Urban League. The final 25 winners represent entrepreneurs from a variety of industries including beauty and self-care, IT solutions, travel, healthcare, professional services, and food and beverage.
BOSS Network and Sage’s “Invest in Progress” grant includes an entrepreneurial initiative focused on removing barriers to business success and guiding these businesswomen to reach their full potential. Includes a 12-month program of mentoring, coaching, connecting, and educating based on. Each Invest in Progress grant recipient will receive:
• USD 10,000 funding
• Quarterly business training courses through BOSS Business University, hosted by Sage, focused on marketing, finance, customer service and business strategy.
• Access to BOSS Network online community
• Free Sage Business Cloud accounting software
“The BOSS Network is proud to have Sage as a partner in our Invest in Progress Grant as part of the BOSS Impact Fund. As we celebrate our third anniversary, this investment will support 85 Black women entrepreneurs We are pleased to have made a significant impact on the lives of the “Boss Network.” They each received $10,000 in business funding.”
“It’s widely known that less than 1% of minority founders get investment funding to start their small businesses. With the continued support of supporters like Sage, the BOSS Network is committed to providing Black women entrepreneurs with the resources they need to win. I will continue to do my best.”
“The Chicago Urban League continues to emphasize the importance of supporting entrepreneurs and small businesses,” said Kelly Evans, Vice President of Entrepreneurship and Innovation. “This program not only provides funding, but also provides business owners with a support network of experts who are invested in their success.”
“We are inspired by the perseverance and potential of the recipients selected for the third year of the Invest in Progress grant,” said Sage Foundation Vice President Cadence Willis. “Sage is proud to support these women as we continue our commitment to helping underserved communities launch and succeed in their businesses.”
For more information about BOSS Network and Sage’s “Invest in Progress” grants and the BOSS Impact Fund, visit BOSSImpactFund.com.
