We are entrepreneurial talent scouts investing in the Founder and supporting them with community, connections, and capital. While we want you to have a great business idea, we are more interested in whether you have the GRIT, GUTS, HEART, and FAITH to succeed as an entrepreneur. If you are this kind of person, we are excited to welcome you into our community and to provide you with support to help you succeed!
ARE YOU READY FOR A FORTITUDE FUND GRANT?
We prefer early-stage Indiana companies with some level of customer engagement that confirms a compelling customer need. Your venture does not need to be fully selling, although that certainly helps, but it should be able to demonstrate that customers have verified a strong need for its product or service.
1. Record Your Elevator Pitch
Submit a video that is 3 minutes or less. Introduce yourself and your business, explain what makes it unique, and share how the grant will help you grow.
2. Complete the Application
Fill out the online application. It only takes a few minutes to complete.
3. Watch for Grant Announcements
Stay tuned to our social media channels for updates and grant recipient announcements.
If you need more clarity prior to getting started, don’t hesitate to contact john@fortitudefund.com or gio@fortitudefund.com today!
What we’re looking for.
Think Big
The best entrepreneurs see opportunities before others, see innovations that have yet to be made, and ultimately are willing to work harder than the rest of the crowd because they want nothing more than to make their dream a reality.
Think Regional
Grants are available for businesses that will make a significant impact on our region’s quality of life. Through initiatives like Vision 2030 and the Road to One Million, we know that our quality of life is important to talent attraction and retention – and that businesses in our region can have a significant effect. Businesses must be headquartered in Northeast Indiana (Adams, Allen, DeKalb, Huntington, Kosciusko, LaGrange, Noble, Steuben, Wabash, Wells, and Whitley county.)
Think Beyond
Our $1,000 Grant is just the beginning. Entrepreneurs who show significant growth after receiving our initial grant may gain access to additional capital and financial support facilitated by our Regional Director of Entrepreneurship.
We want entrepreneurs with…
Big & Bold Thinking
We look for founders or early-stage ventures that have growth potential. Since we want to move the needle on regional economic growth, we prefer founders who have a plan for growth.
Skin in the Game
Those who are actively engaging their customers (or ideally making sales) or building a product or a prototype. We are much less likely to approve a grant for a founder who is waiting for capital before they start doing anything.
Community Engagement
We look for founders who engage with the Fortitude Community. That could be by attending Fortitude events, following and being actively engaged in our social media or online community, and more.
Fortitude Grantees
We are particularly focused on female entrepreneurs, entrepreneurs of color, rural entrepreneurs, veterans, young entrepreneurs, second-career entrepreneurs, and entrepreneurs with disabilities.
