Equity Match Grant Program

Equity Match Grant Program

Funder: Women's Business Development Council (WBDC), Connecticut

Overview: An innovative grant program that offers grants of up to $10,000 to qualified women-owned small businesses in Connecticut. Since launch in 2020, the program has awarded grants to 129 businesses totaling $1.2 million across four rounds.

Geographic Scope

• Connecticut (statewide)

Eligibility

• Women-owned small businesses
• Must be located in Connecticut

What Grants Support

Previous recipients have used grants for:
• Business growth and expansion
• Revenue increase initiatives
• Job creation
• Business productivity improvements
• Client acquisition

Key Results from Recipients

• 60% of grant recipients increased revenues
• 53% increased profits
• 36% created jobs (85 net jobs across 36 companies)
• Round 1 recipients (2020): 82% increased revenues, 73% increased profits, 45% created new jobs
• 49% report increased business productivity
• 44% increased their number of clients
• 38% increased confidence in applying for other funding
• 27% report increased customer satisfaction

Application Timeline

• Round 5 application window: May 23 - July 3, 2026
• Information sessions held in May and June
• One-on-one advisory sessions available after information session attendance

Contact & More Information

• Visit: ctwbdc.org/equity-match-grant-program/
• Information sessions available (live and pre-recorded)
• WBDC Business Advisors available for one-on-one guidance

About WBDC

Funded in part through Cooperative Agreements with the U.S. Small Business Administration and the State of Connecticut, with additional support from municipal, corporate, and private contributors. The program originated from private funders and received a significant boost from Connecticut's Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD).