IFW Fund Forward Awards 2022
The Fund Forward Awards are our biggest annual funding program that rewards and celebrates extraordinary women entrepreneurs who have proven product-market fit, driven growth, and demonstrated a meaningful impact through their businesses.
There were over 5,400 qualified applicants this year, and seven semi-finalists pitched before a panel of high-profile judges for the chance to win a $100,000 equity investment from IFW.
Calling all extraordinary women founders!
Through this one-of-a-kind funding program, qualified entrepreneurs will have the opportunity to win a $100,000 equity investment, access to premium educational resources, and cash grants!
- Business must be owned & operated in the United States
- Must have been in business on or before March 8, 2021
- Must be solving a compelling problem in an innovative way
- Must have a strong pitch and story of entrepreneurship
- Must have a strong digital presence and visual media
- Must demonstrate meaningful impact, product-market fit and business growth
- Must be willing to pitch your business in front of an audience as part of the Fund Forward Awards program and selection process.
- One (1) Grand prize winner will receive a $100,000 equity investment in their company (Yes, IFW will be on your cap table) plus one (1) year of educational services & resources
- Six (6) Business Category winners will each receive a $5K cash grant plus one (1) year of educational services & resources
Women-owned small businesses in the following business categories will be eligible:
- Beauty
- Tech
- Community Impact
- Health & Wellness
- Business Services
- Food & Beverage
- Art, Media & Entertainment
Applications will be open between International Women’s Day, March 8th, 2022 through June 30, 2022. The application period will be followed by closed door deliberations and selection of Fund Forward finalists through the Fall of 2022. The grand prize winner will then be decided and announced on November 16, 2022, in celebration of Women's Entrepreneurship Day, after a pitch competition judged by an all-star panel of entrepreneurs and investors. RSVP here to watch the whole thing!
SHIFT Consulting Co. is a women of color-owned racial & gender equity consulting group. Founded in 2017 at the height of the #metoo movement, SHIFT is craving a space for communities and workplaces to engage in honest dialogue and community accountability.
Motivote’s mission is to empower businesses, nonprofits, and colleges to run high-impact voter engagement programs that help people navigate the voting process. With purpose-built tools powered by behavioral science, Motivote motivates people to make voting a habit.
Love Cork Screw is more than just wine, it’s a whole mood. Love Cork Screw is the wine and lifestyle brand you bring to a game night with friends, the brand you introduce to board members at an annual gala, and the brand you experience for the first time at a couples paint & sip event.
Just BE Kitchen is a woman-owned fast casual wellness establishment in downtown Denver. It’s the only Whole 30 approved restaurant in Denver and the only place that offers 100% gluten-free, grain-free, soy-free, corn-free, refined sugar-free, peanut-free, legume-free, and dairy-free cuisine in the area.
Founded in 2012, VOZ is an ethical fashion company whose mission is to protect the livelihoods, well-being, and cultural values of rural indigenous women globally. VOZ pays living wages for every textile and sewn garment, and uses sustainable fibers and processes.
NixCode is a hybrid education and technology platform for tech startups to go from MVP to IPO. Its no-code app development platform eases the end-to-end process of building, validating, launching, and scaling a mobile app.
Gritty In Pink is building INPINK, a marketplace network that connects the music industry with a community of diverse female creators and music professionals. Gritty In Pink is on a mission to achieve gender equality in the music industry.
Meet the judges
Are you ready to raise capital for your business?
Check out the IFW Fund Forward Awards 2022 Terms & Conditions for more details.