the freed fellowship
Apply Today For a $2,500 Small Business Grant
Plus get feedback on your business and a two-month free membership in our community of ambitious business owners
The Freed Fellowship helps small business owners get the resources, mentorship, and community they need to build successful companies that make an impact.
What is the Freed Fellowship Grant?
Every month, we give one $500 grant to business owner in the US to invest in their existing business. No strings attached. No equity required.
We review each grant submission against our 5C Framework which analyzes five key components that successful businesses need to navigate:
- Context - Why is the market in your favor?
- Content - What's your compelling core narrative?
- Community - Have you found or created a community?
- Chemistry - Have you found your special sauce?
- Commerce - How do you make money?
Each applicant gets feedback in the form of their overall Freed score and recommendations to grow their business based on our review.
Applicants also receive two months of free mentoring in our virtual community, the Freed Studio. The Studio is a safe and supportive space that brings together ambitious business owners to identify and implement the practices, processes, and systems needed for sustainable growth to help them get to their first (or next) $1 million in revenue.
Grant recipients are also eligible to receive an additional end-of-year grant of $2,500.
What is the Freed Fellowship Grant?
Every month, we give one $500 grant to business owner in the US to invest in their existing business.
No strings attached.
No equity required.
We review each grant submission against our 5C Framework which analyzes five key components that successful businesses need to navigate:
- Context - Why is the market in your favor?
- Content - What's your compelling core narrative?
- Community - Have you found or created a community?
- Chemistry - Have you found your special sauce?
- Commerce - How do you make money?
Each applicant gets feedback in the form of their overall Freed score and recommendations to grow their business based on our review.
Applicants also receive two months of free mentoring in our virtual community, the Freed Studio.
The Studio is a safe and supportive space that brings together ambitious business owners to identify and implement the practices, processes, and systems needed for sustainable growth to help them get to their first (or next) $1 million in revenue.
Grant recipients are also eligible to receive an additional end-of-year grant of $2,500.
"The Freed Fellowship is an accessible source of feedback for aspiring but overlooked business owners who want their vision to been seen and heard."
Applying is Easy
How Does It Work?
Click "Get Started Now", answer a few simple questions about your business and complete the application in just a few minutes.
Once your application is complete, you'll have an opportunity to claim two free months' of free mentoring in the Freed Studio, our virtual community of entrepreneurs where you can get the coaching, support, and connection to help you overcome the challenges and obstacles you face as a business owner.
We review and score every application and every application receives recommendations to help grow your business, even if you are not selected!
What Do I Get If I Am Selected?
If you are selected as a Freed Fellow, you will receive a $500 grant. You do not need to repay these funds and do not need to sell any equity in your business. You can use these funds however you want to grow your business. We only ask you help spread the word by sharing news of your selection on social media and be a guest on our weekly podcast.
Each Freed Fellow will receive a complimentary half-hour strategy session with a business expert (valued at $250) to help you strategize the best way to make the biggest impact on your business with the grant funds.
The Freed Studio is a safe and supportive space that brings together ambitious business owners to identify and implement the practices, processes, and systems needed for sustainable growth to help them get to their first (or next) $1 million in revenue. Each Freed Fellow will receive complimentary membership for one year in the Studio.
All Freed Fellows will be considered for an additional $2500 grant at the end of the year.
Applying is Easy
How Does It Work?
Click "Get Started Now", answer a few simple questions about your business and complete the application in just a few minutes.
Once your application is complete, you'll have an opportunity to claim two free months' of free mentoring in the Freed Studio, our virtual community of entrepreneurs where you can get the mentoring, support, and connection to help you overcome the challenges and obstacles you face as a business owner.
We review and score every application and every application receives recommendations to help grow your business, even if you are not selected!
What Do You Get If Selected?
If you are selected as a Freed Fellow, you will receive a $500 grant. You do not need to repay this money and do not need to give up any equity in your business. You can use these funds however you want to grow your business. We only ask you help spread the word by sharing news of your selection on social media and be an active member in our community.
Each Freed Fellow will receive a complimentary half-hour strategy session with a business expert (valued at $250) to help you strategize the best way to make the biggest impact on your business with the grant funds.
The Freed Studio is a safe and supportive space that brings together ambitious business owners to identify and implement the practices, processes, and systems needed for sustainable growth to help them get to their first (or next) $1 million in revenue. Each Freed Fellow will receive complimentary membership for one year in the Studio.
All Freed Fellows will be considered for an additional $2,500 grant at the end of the year.
$500 No-Strings-Attached Grant
If you are selected as a Freed Fellow, you will receive a $500 grant. You do not need to repay this money and do not need to give up any equity in your business. You can use these funds however you want to grow your business. We only ask you help spread the word by sharing news of your selection on social media and be an active member in our community.
One-on-One Strategy Session with a Business Expert
Each Freed Fellow will receive a complimentary half-hour strategy session with a business expert (valued at $250) to help you strategize the best way to make the biggest impact on your business with the grant funds.
One Year Membership in the Freed Studio
The Freed Studio is a safe and supportive space that brings together ambitious business owners to identify and implement the practices, processes, and systems needed for sustainable growth to help them get to their first (or next) $1 million in revenue. Each Freed Fellow will receive complimentary membership for one year in the Studio.
Eligibility for a $2,500 Year-End Grant
All Freed Fellows will be considered for an additional $2,500 grant at the end of the year.
Freed Fellows
Meet Some of Our Past Recipients
Each month we award a $500 grant to a selected business owner that they can use to grow their business. Here are some of our recent Fellows:
Kenny Camarillo, SarapNow
Sarap Now is an inclusive online platform dedicated to celebrating and supporting Asian American and Pacific Islander businesses. Their marketplace offers a curated selection of culturally authentic products while providing AAPI entrepreneurs with vital resources and mentorship opportunities.
Crystal Nelson, Save the Milk
Save the Milk offers innovative breast pumping products and pumping consultations. They have also developed affordable breastmilk shipping kits to meet the demand within the United States. Their ultimate aim is to support breast pumping mothers in their journey and ensure they can continue this vital practice.
Latasha Brooks, Coach Brooks
Latasha Brooks, widely known as "Coach Brooks", is a serial entrepreneur and business consultant known for her impressive portfolio of results-driven achievements. Her consulting firm, Coach Brooks Business Consulting, has helped over 1200 entrepreneurs surpass their growth objectives by up to 50% within only 90 days.
Alfredo Ramirez, Prosal
Prosal is a business development platform that helps agencies and consultants of all sizes and backgrounds find and win good requests for proposals (RFPs). Their mission is to tear down the barriers to partnership and help small businesses take business development into their own hands.
ClassHook helps K-12 teachers make learning relevant by connecting students’ interests to the curriculum using educational scenes from popular TV shows and movies. ClassHook’s 7,100+ curated videos are organized by topic, aligned to standards, and accompanied by discussion and engagement tools. Teachers in over 22,000 U.S. schools use ClassHook to create interactive learning experiences, such as facilitating live discussions, creating video comparisons, and teaching vocabulary.
Myya offers breast cancer survivors across the nation completely customizable, fully insurance billable breast prosthetics custom created with 3-D printing technology with a state of the art fit experience so that all women can wear the perfect fit. Inspired by her grandmother's experience with breast cancer, Jasmine is on a mission to improve the shopping experience of survivors across the country.
Other Businesses We've Helped Include
It just takes a few minutes, and could change your business forever...
FAQs
What is the Freed Fellowship Grant?
The Freed Fellowship Grant program is a monthly small business grant program designed to support underrepresented and overlooked small business owners. Each month we select one Freed Fellow as the recipient of a $500 no-strings-attached grant. Fellows are then considered for our $2,500 year-end grant. Applicants receive access to feedback on their business and the opportunity to join our online mentoring community on a two-month free trial.
How can I apply for a Freed Fellowship?
You can apply for the Freed Fellowship grant online. Get started by entering your name and email on this page and you will be taken to the application form, where you'll be asked a number of questions about your business and can submit along with the $19 application fee.
Who is eligible for a Freed Fellowship?
Any micro or small business owner in the US is eligible. We especially encourage women, minorities and others considered underrepresented or overlooked to apply.
What can the grant money be used for?
Grant funds can be used for any business-related expenses as the recipients see fit. This is what we mean by no-strings-attached. We do not require reporting, limit what the funds can be used for, or take equity.
What is the 5C Framework and how does it affect my application?
The 5C Framework evaluates your grant submission on five critical components essential for successful businesses: Context (your market), Content (your story), Chemistry (your audience / community), Chemistry (your product, people, and process), and Commerce (your business model). Demonstrating strength in these areas enhances your application's alignment with our objectives and increases its potential for success.
What benefits do grant recipients receive apart from the financial grant?
Beyond financial assistance, recipients receive access to a complementary strategy call with our team of business experts, get a one year membership to our online mentorship community the Freed Studio, are typically featured in our Freed Stories podcast, and are eligible for our $2,500 end-of-year grant.
What is the deadline to apply for the grant, and how often are grants awarded?
We accept applications on a rolling basis. To be considered for our grant in any given month, applications must be received by midnight Eastern US time on the last day of that month
How is the Freed Fellowship Grant different from other small business grants?
Whether you are selected as a grant recipient or not, we firmly believe that the true value of our grant program is in our feedback, the community we offer, and each applicant’s follow-up. We review each grant submission against our 5C Framework which analyzes five key components that successful businesses need to navigate. Our feedback is in the form of your overall Freed Score and recommendations to grow your business based on our review.
Why do you charge an application fee?
We are super dedicated to making this a sustainable platform for entrepreneurs and small business owners. To do so, and to cover the cost of reviewing each application, we do charge a fee. We are not a non-profit organization and we do not receive any federal or foundation subsidies for the program. We believe most entrepreneurs, founders and business owners don't have a reliable and consistent source of thought partnership and candid feedback on their businesses. We are striving to do that at scale and aim to provide far more value than we charge for the grant application.
When do I receive my feedback?
Grading is usually done the month following receipt of an application. Applicants receive their feedback by email by the end of the month following their application. We also select and announce each month's recipient by the end of the following month (for example, January applicants get feedback in February, and the January recipient is announced by the end of February).
Are nonprofits eligible for the Freed Fellowship grant?
We are not currently supporting non-profits. Therefore, we recommend that non-profits do not apply for the Freed Fellowship grant at this time.
What should I do if I can’t afford the application fee?
We recommend you wait until you and your business are in a better position. We are working to develop either a sponsorship or scholarship program to help offset the fee for aspiring business owners who need the 1 Columnfinancial support.