Round 3 Grant Application
Empowering women and non-binary entrepreneurs in Los Angeles County to grow businesses rooted in community impact
Applications Closed
The application period for The Wild Seed Round 3 Grant has ended as of March 17, 2026 at 11:59 PM PST. Thank you to everyone who applied. Our team will review all submissions and notify applicants of decisions in May 2026.
Questions? Contact us at [email protected]
Grant Eligibility & Readiness Guidelines
TWS grant categories are designed to meet women-owned businesses where they are, based on annual revenue and overall business readiness. Each category aligns with a different stage of growth and includes both financial and operational indicators.
All applicants must:
- Be based in or primarily serving Los Angeles County
- Be a for-profit or social enterprise
- Be able to demonstrate active operations (not an idea-stage business)
- Have been in business for at least 12 months
- Be in good standing (no active bankruptcy; manageable outstanding tax or legal issues)
Capacity Grant
$3,000
Revenue: $5,000 – $25,000
To support early-stage businesses that are generating revenue but need foundational investments to stabilize and grow.
Ideal for businesses that:
- Are 1–3 years old
- Have consistent but limited revenue
- Are transitioning from informal or side-hustle operations into more formalized systems
Readiness Indicators:
- Basic proof of business (license, EIN, bank account, or fiscal sponsor)
- Clear product or service with paying clients
- Tracks income and expenses (even informally)
- Identifies specific growth barriers the grant will address
- Open to receiving technical assistance or coaching
Typical Uses of Funds:
- Marketing and branding
- Basic equipment or tools
- Website or e-commerce setup
- Licensing, permits, or professional services
- Initial inventory or supplies
Catalyst Grant
$10,000
Revenue: $25,001 – $75,000
To help growing businesses strengthen internal systems, increase operational capacity, and prepare for larger opportunities.
Ideal for businesses that:
- Are 2–5 years old
- Have steady revenue and repeat customers
- Are experiencing growth pains related to systems, staffing, or scaling
Readiness Indicators:
- Maintains separate business finances and basic bookkeeping
- Can articulate how funds will increase capacity or efficiency
- Demonstrates clear demand for products or services
- Open to receiving technical assistance or coaching
Typical Uses of Funds:
- Hiring or contracting support
- Technology or software upgrades
- Inventory expansion
- Process improvements or automation
- Strategic planning or operational consulting
Capital Grant
$20,000
Revenue: $75,001+
To support established businesses ready to make strategic investments that drive scale, sustainability, and long-term impact.
Ideal for businesses that:
- Are 3+ years old
- Have strong revenue traction and growth potential
- Are positioned to pursue larger contracts, expansion, or investment
Readiness Indicators:
- Maintains formal financial records (profit & loss, balance sheet, tax filings)
- Has a clear growth strategy and defined use of capital
- Demonstrates ability to manage larger sums responsibly
- Has existing staff, contractors, or partnerships
- Open to receiving technical assistance or coaching
Typical Uses of Funds:
- Expansion of physical or digital infrastructure
- Major equipment or technology investments
- Working capital for scaling operations
- Contract fulfillment or bulk purchasing
- Strategic hires or leadership capacity
Notes on Category Placement
- Applicants will self-select into a category, but in rare cases, TWS reserves the right to recommend a different category based on readiness and application review.
- Revenue alone does not determine eligibility — overall readiness, clarity of use, and alignment with program goals are equally important.
- You may apply to one grant category only. Please choose the category that best reflects your current business reality, not where you hope to be next year. Selecting the right category helps ensure fair review and that support is aligned with what your business truly needs right now.
Eligibility Requirements
- Must be 18 years or older
- Identify as a woman and/or non-binary
- Business must be headquartered in Los Angeles County
- Business must be independently owned and operated (e.g., not part of a franchise, national chain, or corporate ownership structure)
- Proof of business ownership required
Acceptable documents include:
- Business organization documents (e.g., Articles of Organization/Incorporation, DBA/Fictitious Business Name statement, CA Statement of Information, or CA Certificate of Good Standing)
- Most recent IRS tax filings (e.g., Schedule C, EIN confirmation letter)
- Professional or occupational license (if applicable)
Application Process
Complete Screening Application
Answer a few questions about your business and eligibility. This takes about 2-4 minutes. You'll create your own password during this step.
Receive Eligibility Decision
You'll immediately know if you're eligible. Use the password you created to access the full application.
Submit Full Application
Complete the detailed application with information about your business, grant request, and how you'll use the funds.
Review & Decision
Our team will review your application and notify you of the decision May 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
Applications Are Closed
The Round 3 application period has ended. Thank you to all who applied. Decisions will be communicated in May 2026.
Questions? Contact us at [email protected]
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