Runway to Revenue Accelerator Program – $60,000 Grants for Women Owned Businesses in Fashion & Tech + $10,000 Seed Funding

Grant Overview

A 12-week accelerator: Victoria’s Secret partners with Fifteen Percent Pledge to fund women and BIPOC founders – $10,000 grant + expert workshops + a pitch for $50,000 – practical support to scale retail and product-led businesses.

Victoria’s Secret & Fifteen Percent Pledge offer $10K + $50K grants for women owned businesses in fashion & tech. The Runway to Revenue Accelerator (powered by Victoria’s Secret & Co. and delivered by the Fifteen Percent Pledge) gives qualifying US-based, product-focused brands $10,000 in grant funding, a 12-week curriculum, and a live pitch that can unlock up to $50,000 in additional funding – a targeted opportunity for founders ready to scale product, manufacturing, and retail operations. See related Fifteen Percent Pledge listings on Grantaura.

The Runway to Revenue Accelerator represents a breakthrough funding opportunity specifically designed to tackle the harsh reality that women-owned businesses receive only 17% of VC funding, while Black women founders raise just 0.64% of all venture capital even BIPOC women founders receiving less than 0.5%. That crushing statistic from the Fifteen Percent Pledge reveals the stark reality behind the glamorous exterior of fashion entrepreneurship. This accelerator program will culminate in a pitch competition at Victoria’s Secret & Co. HQ in Columbus, OH, where selected founders will compete for additional funding up to $50,000. We’re talking about potentially $60,000 in total funding for a single business.

Donor: Fifteen Percent Pledge, powered by Victoria’s Secret & Co.

Focus: grants for women owned businesses, apparel grants, BIPOC women founder funding, fashion, tech, accelerator, retail grants, pitch competitions

Region: United States (U.S.-based brands only)

Eligibility:
– Member of the Fifteen Percent Pledge’s Business Equity Community (mandatory sign-up with full business details)
– Annual revenue between $100,000 and $1,500,000
– At least one person with 51% or more equity must identify as BIPOC and/or woman
— OR business must show demonstrated commitment to Fifteen Percent Pledge’s mission
– Business operational for minimum 1 year
– Must sell intimates, apparel, accessories, activewear/sport, shapewear, or hosiery products
– Available for full 12-week accelerator program participation
– Able to travel to Columbus, OH for in-person pitch competition
– U.S.-based business

Benefits:
– Financial Award: $10,000 grant funding upon acceptance
– Mentorship: 12 weeks of expert-led workshops (3 hours weekly)
– Networking: Direct access to Victoria’s Secret executive team and fellow entrepreneurs
– Pitch Competition: Opportunity to compete for additional funding up to $50,000

Deadline: Ongoing

Short version for applicants who want action: apply only if you are a product brand (intimates, apparel, activewear, shapewear, accessories) with meaningful traction (six-figure revenue), at least one woman or BIPOC majority owner, and the bandwidth to commit to a 12-week, workshop-heavy accelerator. If that’s you, this is a cash-plus-capability program that pairs money with practical training. Find similar small-business grant listings on Grantaura.

Why This Program Matters Right Now?

VC remains thin for many women founders – a statistic repeatedly highlighted in program copy and press  and that funding gap is acute for BIPOC women founders. This accelerator pairs modest direct capital ($10K) with real operational skill-building, not just a logo on a page. That mix is what often moves a product brand from “making it work” to “making money consistently.” Amber Grants and related opportunities show how targeted, recurring cash awards can change runway dynamics for women entrepreneurs.

The Fifteen Percent Pledge is a racial equity and economic justice non-profit organization addressing the inequities that exist throughout the American consumer economy and working towards closing the racial wealth gap. In recognition that Black people in the U.S. compromise nearly 15% of the population, the Fifteen Percent Pledge calls on major retailers and corporations to commit a minimum of 15% of their shelf space, sales revenue, and annual spend to support Black-owned businesses.

This partnership with Victoria’s Secret represents something bigger than a typical corporate grant. Since taking the pledge, Victoria’s Secret has committed to fundamentally restructuring how they source products and support diverse suppliers.

The fashion industry specifically presents unique challenges for underrepresented founders. You need substantial upfront capital for inventory. Manufacturing minimums can kill a business before it starts. Distribution channels remain stubbornly closed to newcomers without connections.

Program Structure – What You’ll Actually Do?

Expect four modules: foundations and branding, operations and scaling, marketing/customer engagement, and legalities plus pitching. Sessions are one day a week for three hours across 12 weeks; the program culminates in an in-person pitch at Victoria’s Secret & Co. HQ in Columbus, OH. If travel logistics are a blocker for you, note that in advance – the in-person pitch is required. See other accelerator-style grants that combine training and funding.

What Makes This Different From Other Grants For Women Owned Businesses

Most business grants for women hand out money and disappear. This accelerator operates more like a business incubator with serious skin in the game. Victoria’s Secret isn’t just supporting women entrepreneurs out of goodwill – they’re investing in the future of fashion retail.

The program structure breaks down into four distinct modules over 12 weeks. Each session runs three hours weekly, which means you’re looking at a significant time commitment. By week twelve, you’re mastering the art of pitching to investors who actually write checks.

Eligibility – Who Should (And Shouldn’t) Apply?

This is for growth-stage brands, not pre-revenue concepts. Revenue floors and ceilings (USD 100K–1.5M) are strict screening gates. You must also be US-based and able to sell the product categories listed. If you’re a service business or non-product maker, this is not the match – search Grantaura’s category pages for service or non-profit grants instead. Browse for-profit business grants on Grantaura.

What They’re Really Looking For?

Beyond the checklist, selection favors brands that show strong sales growth over time, a clear competitive advantage, and leadership with industry expertise. Judges will want to hear exactly how $10K plus the curriculum will remove a specific bottleneck – for example, a supply-chain pinch point, or a digital-to-retail wholesale ramp. Related Fifteen Percent Pledge initiatives on Grantaura show the organization’s focus areas.

Selection criteria reveal what actually wins:
– Business shows high growth potential through strong sales trajectory
– Sustainable competitive advantage (not just another t-shirt brand)
– Management team with deep industry knowledge
– Clear use case for how the grant manages growth challenges

Translation? They want businesses ready to scale, not start. Your handmade scarves at the farmer’s market won’t cut it. But if you’re selling $200K annually and hitting capacity constraints? Now we’re talking.

The Curriculum That Actually Delivers

Forget fluffy “empowerment” workshops. This program dissects the actual mechanics of fashion retail success.

Module 1: Foundations (Weeks 1-4)

Week one kicks off with aligning vision and values – sounds basic until you realize most fashion brands can’t articulate why they exist beyond “cute clothes.” Week two dives into brand identity. Not logos. Identity. The amika Rooted In Growth Grant offers similar brand-building support specifically for beauty entrepreneurs facing comparable challenges.

Product development and merchandising round out the first month. You’ll learn how Victoria’s Secret thinks about assortments. How they plan seasonal collections. The math behind markdowns.

Q: Do I need fashion industry experience?
A: Not necessarily, but deep industry knowledge strengthens applications.

Q: Can service-based businesses apply?
A: No. Physical products only.

Module 2: Operations & Scaling (Weeks 5-8)

Here’s where rubber meets runway. Retail finance isn’t just counting money – it’s understanding gross margin, inventory turns, and working capital cycles. Supply chain management covers everything from finding reliable manufacturers to negotiating payment terms that won’t bankrupt you.

Week seven tackles product integrity. Think quality control, testing protocols, safety standards. Boring? Sure. Essential for not getting sued? Absolutely.

Sustainability practices cap this module. Not greenwashing. Real practices that reduce waste while maintaining margins.

Module 3: Marketing & Customer Engagement (Weeks 9-10)

Two weeks seems light for marketing until you understand the depth. Customer experience design. Community building. PR strategies that don’t rely on hiring expensive publicists.

The hidden gem? Learning how Victoria’s Secret approaches brand communities. They’re teaching you their playbook for creating cult followings.

Q: Is attendance mandatory for all sessions?
A: Yes, full participation required.

Common Mistakes Applicants Make

Registration with the Fifteen Percent Pledge’s Business Equity Community comes first. This isn’t optional. Full business details required – revenue, structure, ownership percentages, product lines. Transparency matters here.

– Submitting vague financials. Bring clean profit-and-loss statements and be ready to explain seasonality. Grantaura’s Rooted In Growth listing explains financial clarity for brand grants.
– Treating the pitch like a marketing deck. Judges want problem-solution-impact, with numbers. See how beauty brand grants frame measurable traction on Grantaura.
– Applying without time capacity. The weekly sessions are demanding; missing them weakens your case. Other beauty-focused grants stress program attendance as mandatory.

The actual application likely requires:
– Detailed profit & loss statements (last 12 months minimum)
– Pitch video (keep it under 3 minutes)
– Professional headshots (yes, it matters)
– Business plan or executive summary
– Growth strategy documentation

Q: How competitive is this accelerator program?
A: Extremely competitive. With only limited spots available and the significant resources provided, expect hundreds of qualified applicants for each cohort.

Q: Can I apply if my business is just under the $100,000 revenue requirement?
A: No. The revenue requirements are strict – your business must have at least $100,000 in annual revenue to qualify.

Q: What if I can’t attend all the weekly sessions?
A: Full participation is required. The program demands commitment to all 12 weeks of the accelerator.

Q: Is the $50,000 additional funding guaranteed?
A: No. Only selected participants from the accelerator get to pitch, and funding amounts vary based on the competition results.

Q: Can pre-revenue businesses apply?
A: No, minimum $100K annual revenue required.

Q: What about businesses over $1.5M revenue?
A: Not eligible for this program.

A Look At Past Winners

Fifteen Percent Pledge has run complementary grant programs (Dream Makers and AI Illumination, for example) that show the organization’s priorities: revenue growth, retail-readiness, and tech-enabled scaling for underrepresented founders. Looking at past recipients of similar fashion and beauty brand grants helps you reverse-engineer a competitive application. See the Dream Makers listing on Grantaura.

Q: What types of businesses succeed in similar accelerator programs?
A: Companies with clear growth metrics, scalable business models, and founders who actively engage during the program.

Q: Should I apply if my business is closer to the $100,000 minimum?
A: Yes, but emphasize your growth trajectory and specific plans for scaling with the funding.

Q: Do I need to be a Fifteen Percent Pledge member to apply?
A: Yes – brands must join the Business Equity Community and submit full business details to be eligible. Other membership-tied grants are explained on Grantaura.

Q: Is the $10,000 grant taxed?
A: Grants may be taxable income depending on your entity and use-case; consult an accountant. Grantaura’s listings often remind applicants to check tax treatment for awards.

Q: How many businesses receive the additional $50,000?
A: The program hasn’t specified exact numbers, but based on similar accelerator models, expect 3-5 winners.

Q: Can I use the $10,000 for any business expense?
A: Yes, the grant funding can support scaling, operations, marketing, inventory, or other growth-related costs.

Q: What happens if I can’t attend the in-person pitch competition?
A: Physical attendance is mandatory – this eliminates you from the additional $50,000 opportunity but you keep the $10,000.

Q: Can I participate remotely in the accelerator sessions?
A: The format isn’t specified, but assume hybrid or in-person requirements given the final pitch competition requirement.

Q: What if my business changes significantly between application and program start?
A: Contact the program administrators immediately – major changes might affect eligibility.

The Columbus Competition – Your Moment

April 2026. Victoria’s Secret headquarters. You’re standing before executives who control a multi-billion dollar fashion empire. Three minutes to pitch. Maybe five for Q&A.

Most founders freeze here. Not because they’re unprepared. Because they overthink it.

Winners tell stories. Not about products. About customers. The woman who cried when she finally found shapewear that didn’t roll down. The teenager who felt seen in your size-inclusive activewear. The sustainability angle only works if it connects to real human impact.

Black and Latinx founders represented just 2.6% of the total $87.3 billion in venture capital funding. The stats were even grimmer for Black women founders, who accounted for only 0.64% of all venture capital funding. These statistics aren’t just numbers to cite. They’re the reason this program exists.

What Winners Do Differently

Successful pitch competition winners share three traits. First, they practice with harsh critics, not supportive friends. Find someone who’ll tear your pitch apart. Better they do it than the judges.

Second, they bring samples. Physical products beat PowerPoints every time. Let executives touch the fabric. Feel the quality. Experience your innovation firsthand.

Last, they know their numbers cold. Revenue per square foot. Customer acquisition cost. Lifetime value. Return rates. When an executive asks about unit economics, hesitation kills credibility.

Q: What’s the acceptance rate?
A: Not publicly disclosed, expect high competition.

Q: Can international businesses with U.S. operations apply?
A: Must be U.S.-based entity.

Your Next Move

Start with the Business Equity Community registration now. The detailed business information they require takes time to compile accurately.

Pull financial statements. Get professional headshots. Draft your elevator pitch. Practice on camera – most people hate how they look on video until they’ve done it fifty times. Start now.

For broader funding strategy beyond this single opportunity, explore our comprehensive grants database covering multiple industries and funding types. Smart founders never rely on one funding source.

Q: Can I apply if I’ve received other grants?
A: Yes, no restrictions on other funding.

Q: Will they sign NDAs for proprietary information?
A: Standard applications don’t include NDA provisions.

Let’s be completely transparent about what Grantaura brings to your application process. We’ve guided over 300 successful grant applications. Our team knows what judges want to see, how to frame your story, and which details make applications memorable versus forgettable. The Runway to Revenue Accelerator could transform your business – but only if you get accepted first. Schedule a consultation to review your eligibility and strengthen your application strategy.

Check Your Eligibility

Ready to see if you qualify for the Runway to Revenue Accelerator?

The short eligibility tool will ask you simple questions about revenue, ownership, and product category and then tell you if you qualify. Click “Let’s start” to run the quick check if eligible, you can complete a brief assessment that Grantaura’s experts will review to advise next steps. Start by exploring Grantaura’s grant categories.

22 More Grants For Women Owned Businesses

Beyond these specific programs, thousands more grants for women owned businesses exist across federal, state, local, and private sources. The key isn’t finding grants – it’s finding the right grants for your specific situation.

1. Amber Grants by WomensNet: Monthly $10,000 awards and a year-end $25,000 prize; great for early-stage women founders who need flexible capital and a simple application process. (Short, practical application).
2. Fund Her Future Grant 2025: $100,000 for Women-Owned Businesses: Block Advisors by H&R Block and Hello Alice collaborate to provide significant funding for female entrepreneurs across the United States. This program addresses critical funding gaps while offering expert business services and mentorship. Perfect for established women-owned businesses seeking substantial growth capital.
3. FedEx E-Commerce Learning Lab Grant: Grant plus coaching tailored to e-commerce sellers — useful if shipping and fulfillment are your next battleground.
4. MUSE Accelerator by Ulta Beauty: Industry-specific funding and visibility for beauty founders seeking retail scale.
5. Rooted In Growth: Hair Brand Grant: $50K-level programs for hair and personal-care brands, a good precedent for category-specific retail grants.
6. Liberte Foundation Beauty Grants: Targeted beauty-industry awards with cohort support and product development guidance.
7. Halstead Grant: Jewelry makers and creators can find niche grant support and mentoring here; good model for product-focused applicants.
8. AmplifyMass Grant: State-level and sector-specific grants that support growth-stage operations in targeted geographies; consider local opportunities in addition to national programs.
9. Authors League Fund: Example of niche emergency and program grants — useful when mapping alternative funding sources if your brand includes content/IP.
10. Thiel Fellowship and other high-impact awards: Larger, selective prizes for founders with a technical or breakthrough product angle; not a direct match for every apparel brand but worth scanning for fit.
11. LunaRecycle Challenge: An example of how to spot creative funding (industry competitions) for sustainability-focused product work.
12. The Big Idea Grant for Women Entrepreneurs: YippityDoo offers monthly $1,000 grants to help women transform business ideas into successful ventures. Ideal for early-stage female entrepreneurs who need modest funding to test concepts or cover initial startup costs.
13. Idea Cafe Small Business Grant: Provides $1,000 funding specifically for women entrepreneurs with no application fees. This straightforward grant opportunity helps female business owners access quick funding without complex requirements or lengthy application processes.
14. Hey Helen Grant: $5,000 for Women-Owned, Mission-Driven Businesses: Visionaries funds female founders running impactful, mission-driven ventures across the United States. This grant emphasizes social impact alongside business growth, perfect for women entrepreneurs building purpose-driven companies.
15. EmpowHer Grants By Boundless Futures Foundation: Supports women-led businesses addressing critical social issues like poverty, sustainability, and community development. The grant provides both financial support and advisor networks for early-stage female entrepreneurs focused on social impact.
16. Dream Makers Founder Grant for Underrepresented Women Entrepreneurs: Nancy R. Twine’s $1 million initiative specifically empowers Black and BIPOC women in consumer goods. This multi-year commitment provides substantial funding for underrepresented female founders making significant impact in retail and consumer products.
17. Galaxy Grant for Women & Minority Entrepreneurs: Offers $2,450 monthly funding plus unique prizes like Mercedes-Benz vehicles for minority-owned and women-owned businesses. This creative grant program combines financial awards with high-value incentives.
18. IFundWomen Universal Grant Application: Streamlines the funding process by allowing women entrepreneurs to apply for multiple grants through one platform. This approach saves time while maximizing funding opportunities for female-founded startups and small businesses.
19. Nehemiah Davis Greatness Grant: Quarterly $2,500 funding for first-time founders, including women entrepreneurs in their early business stages. The program provides cash, mentorship, and community access for founders still developing their business concepts.
20. Women Entrepreneurs Grant Category: Comprehensive collection of funding opportunities specifically targeting female business owners across industries, stages, and geographic locations. This category provides easy access to dozens of grants for women owned businesses.
21. Grants for Latina Entrepreneurs (category): Curated funding and categories that target Latina founders — useful if your audience or leadership fits this profile.
22. United States Business Grants: Extensive database of federal, state, and private funding opportunities available to U.S.-based businesses, including numerous programs supporting women entrepreneurs and minority-owned enterprises.

Want more options? The grants for women owned businesses sector continues expanding as organizations recognize the economic potential of female entrepreneurship. Use Grantaura’s free database to filter by category, location and founder profile to surface active grants that match your business stage. Search all active opportunities on Grantaura.

Terms

Understanding key terminology helps navigate the grants for women owned businesses more effectively. These definitions clarify common requirements, application processes, and program structures that female entrepreneurs encounter when seeking funding opportunities.

• Non-dilutive funding: Cash awarded without giving up equity — ideal when you want growth capital without changing ownership. See examples on Grantaura like the Amber Grant. Learn more.
• Accelerator: A short, cohort-based program combining training, mentorship and sometimes capital. The Runway to Revenue is an accelerator with a grant. Compare other accelerator+grant mixes.
• Pitch competition: Live or virtual presentations to judges for additional funding; preparation matters more than the deck. See Grantaura’s pitch-ready listings for examples. Example.
• Eligibility floor/ceiling: Grants often require minimum traction and sometimes cap revenue to focus on growth-stage or early-stage businesses. Confirm numeric ranges before applying. Related guidance.
• BIPOC: Black, Indigenous, and People of Color – a term encompassing various ethnic and racial minorities. For grants for women owned businesses, BIPOC status often provides additional eligibility points or dedicated funding streams.
• Women-Owned Business Enterprise (WBE): Certification that verifies at least 51% ownership and control by women, often required for grants for women owned businesses and government contracting opportunities. WBE certification can open access to additional funding streams and procurement advantages.
• Business Equity Community: The Fifteen Percent Pledge’s proprietary database where women-owned businesses and minority enterprises register for visibility to major retailers. Mandatory for accessing their grant programs and supplier opportunities.
• Accelerator Program: Intensive business development initiatives combining education, mentorship, and funding. Unlike traditional grants for women owned businesses, accelerators require active participation in structured curriculum over several weeks or months.
• Pitch Competition: Formal presentations where women entrepreneurs compete for funding by presenting business plans to judges. Typically involves 3-10 minute presentations followed by Q&A sessions with potential investors or grant committees.
• Revenue Threshold: Minimum annual sales required for grant eligibility. For women-owned businesses, thresholds typically range from $50,000 to $1 million, depending on program maturity requirements.
• Equity Ownership: Percentage of business owned by qualifying individuals. Most grants for women owned businesses require 51% or greater female ownership to meet federal and state certification standards.
• Supply Chain Diversity: Corporate procurement strategies prioritizing women and minority-owned suppliers. Major retailers increasingly allocate specific percentages of purchasing to diverse businesses through formal diversity programs.
• Venture Capital Gap: Disparity in investment funding between male and female founders. Women-owned businesses receive less than 2% of VC funding, making grants critical alternative funding sources for female entrepreneurs.
• Mentorship Component: Educational support beyond monetary grants. Leading grants for women owned businesses include coaching from industry experts, covering topics from financial management to scaling strategies.
• Gross Margin: Percentage of revenue retained after direct costs. Fashion and retail grants for women owned businesses often evaluate gross margin as indicator of business sustainability and growth potential.
• Working Capital: Funds available for day-to-day operations. Women-owned businesses frequently struggle with working capital gaps, making operational grants essential for inventory, payroll, and growth investments.
• Product-Market Fit: Alignment between product offerings and customer demand. Successful grants for women owned businesses demonstrate clear market validation through consistent sales and customer retention metrics.
• Runway: Time remaining before business exhausts cash reserves. Financial runway calculations help women entrepreneurs determine grant funding needs and demonstrate urgency to selection committees.
• Scale-Ready: Business prepared for rapid growth. Grants for women owned businesses increasingly target scale-ready companies with proven models rather than early-stage concepts requiring validation.
• Ecosystem Building: Creating supportive networks for women entrepreneurs. Modern grants for women owned businesses emphasize community development alongside individual company funding.
• Impact Metrics: Measurable outcomes from grant funding. Women-owned businesses must track job creation, revenue growth, and community benefits to justify continued program support.
• Technical Assistance: Non-monetary support including training, consulting, and resource access. Comprehensive grants for women owned businesses combine funding with technical assistance for maximum impact.
• Certification Requirements: Official verification of women-owned business status. Federal WOSB certification, state certifications, and third-party verifications like WBENC often required for accessing certain grants.
• Match Funding: Requirement to provide equal funds from other sources. Some grants for women owned businesses require 1:1 matching, meaning recipients must secure equivalent funding elsewhere.
• Rolling Applications: Continuous acceptance of grant applications without fixed deadlines. Provides flexibility for women-owned businesses to apply when ready rather than rushing to meet arbitrary dates.
• Business Equity Community: A membership or registration prerequisite some NGOs require before you can apply. Fifteen Percent Pledge uses this model; Grantaura can show similar examples. Examples.
• Nonprofit vs for-profit grants: Make sure you apply to the right track — many grants are sector- or entity-specific. Grantaura’s categories separate these filters. Filter by for-profit.
• Use of funds: Some grants restrict use (inventory, production, payroll); others are flexible. Read rules carefully and explain intended use in your application. Example fund rules.
• Tax treatment: Grants can be taxable. Keep records and consult tax advice before you accept funds. Grantaura notes tax considerations on many listings. Guidance.
• Proof of traction: P&L statements, sales channels, and customer metrics help define your competitive advantage. Grantaura listings usually request these documents. See requested materials.
• Travel requirement: If a program includes an in-person pitch, confirm travel coverage and obligations in advance. Check logistics.

Author

Imran Ahmad is founder of Grantaura, a funding discovery platform that helps entrepreneurs find and apply for grants. Imran’s work focuses on making grant funding accessible to SMEs, creatives and nonprofit leaders — he has guided hundreds of applicants through active opportunities and assessment processes on Grantaura. If you want expert review on your application or help matching to the right grants, Imran’s team offers consultation services. See Imran’s profile and consultation options.