Every founder reaches a moment when the right capital changes everything.
This March, in honor of International Women’s Day, VOX Funding is launching the Funding Forward: Women’s Award – a $5,000 award designed to support one female-owned business ready to take its next leap.
Whether you’re hiring, expanding operations, investing in marketing, or scaling your product, we believe growth shouldn’t wait for permission.
This isn’t just recognition – it’s real funding behind real ambition.
Women entrepreneurs face real barriers to growth
Women entrepreneurs often encounter structural barriers such as stricter lending requirements and implicit bias, which limit access to growth capital.
To help close the gap, VOX Funding is launching the Funding Forward: Women’s Award, a $5,000 cash award designed to support female entrepreneurs in early or growth stage, and ready to scale.
This award recognizes women small business owners building sustainable businesses with a clear vision for growth. Our award provides flexible funding to help them take the next step. We strive to provide both working capital and visibility, empowering one outstanding founder to accelerate growth and expand her impact.
Funding Forward: Growing Businesses, Strengthening Communities
Funding Forward reflects VOX’s commitment to growing businesses and strengthening communities. By offering accessible, flexible financing solutions, we help entrepreneurs invest in their teams, scale operations, and create jobs.
As part of this initiative, we also donated funds to the International Franchise Association (IFA) Foundation, which supports underrepresented groups through education, resources, and access to capital. These efforts create lasting economic impact by empowering business owners and strengthening local communities.
The Funding Forward: Women’s Award represents the next step in this mission. By providing funding for women entrepreneurs, we hope to fuel sustainable growth while setting an example for women and girls nationwide.
Funding Forward in the News
We’re thrilled that PIX 11 featured our initiative since we launched the program. Watch the coverage, including Adam Benowitz, our CEO, who talks about supporting female entrepreneurs.
FAQ
1.What is the Funding Forward: Women’s Award?
The Funding Forward: Women’s Award is a $5,000 cash award created by VOX Funding to support female founders in the United States. The money is not to be repaid. It is part of the Funding Forward initiative and is designed to help women entrepreneurs access capital, gain visibility, and accelerate business growth.
2. Who is eligible to apply for the Funding Forward: Women’s Award?
The award is open to women founders or co-founders of legally registered, U.S.-based businesses, often early-stage or growth stage. Applicants may submit only one entry and must meet all eligibility requirements outlined in the official rules.
3. How much funding does the Funding Forward: Women’s Award provide?
One selected recipient will receive a $5,000 cash award. This working capital can be used for growth efforts such as hiring, marketing, inventory, technology, or other operational needs.
4. How can women entrepreneurs apply for the award?
Applicants must complete the official entry form and submit a written response (maximum 500 words) explaining how they would use the $5,000 award to grow their business. Submissions should clearly outline the business’s growth strategy, vision, and intended use of funds.
5. Is the Funding Forward: Women’s Award a loan or a grant?
The award is a cash grant, not a loan. Recipients are not required to repay the $5,000, although they are responsible for any applicable taxes or reporting requirements.
6. Why is funding for women-owned businesses important?
Women-owned businesses make up nearly 40% of all U.S. enterprises, yet they often receive smaller funding amounts and have limited access to capital. Business grants for women helps close the funding gap, strengthens local economies, and drives job creation.
7. What is Funding Forward by VOX Funding?
Funding Forward is VOX Funding’s initiative focused on helping small and medium-sized businesses grow and strengthen their communities. It provides accessible funding and resources. Programs like the Women’s Business Growth Award help entrepreneurs scale sustainably.
8. When is the deadline to apply for the Funding Forward: Women’s Award?
The application period will open on March 2, 2026 and close on March 20, 2026. The selected winner will be announced by March 31, 2026.
9. Is the Funding Forward: Women’s Award related to International Women’s Day?
Yes. The award is launched in celebration of International Women’s Day and continues through March, Women’s History month. It recognizes women entrepreneurs, supports women-led business growth, and promotes greater access to capital for women-owned businesses.
Continuing to Fund Forward
While we are launching this program during International Women’s Day, we pledge to support women and other under-represented groups year-round. We invite you to share this initiative and Fund Forward with us.
Funding Forward: Women’s Award Terms and Conditions
The Award is open only to individuals who identify as women founders or co-founders of a legally registered, revenue-generating business operating in the United States. Applicants may submit only one entry through the official entry form by the stated deadline.
By entering, participants confirm that their submission is original, truthful, and accurate. VOX Funding’s panel of judges will evaluate entries based on growth strategy and planned use of funds. VOX Funding’s decisions are final, and no correspondence will be entered into regarding judging.
The winner will receive a grant of $5,000 cash. The prize is non-transferable, and winners are responsible for any applicable taxes or reporting requirements. By entering, participants consent to VOX Funding using submitted materials, including text, images, and video, for marketing or promotional purposes.
VOX Funding is not responsible for technical issues, lost or delayed entries, or inaccuracies in submitted information. Personal information collected will be used in accordance with VOX Funding’s privacy policy. VOX Funding reserves the right to modify, suspend, or cancel the award at any time. The award is governed by United States law, and any disputes are subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of U.S. courts.