By Karen Axelton
Huggies diapers has launched a program that will give venture capital funding to entrepreneurial moms, BrandWeek reports. Parent company Kimberly-Clark will award grants of up to $15,000, with a total of $250,000 being given out in the first year.
The site, HuggiesMomInspired.com, is accepting open submissions for new business ideas. According to the site, Huggies is seeking grant proposals “for thoroughly considered product ideas that nurture the relationship between mother and child.” (And no, the ideas don’t have to be diaper-related.)
Huggies’ criteria is that the ideas be original and designed to help make life easier for parents so they can better enjoy everyday moments with their children. “Our judging panel will also take into consideration Huggies® innovation standards for mom-designed creations, including originality, relevancy, potential commercial viability, and the joys of parenting.”
Kimberly-Clark launched the program because women-owned businesses are growing twice as fast as overall small businesses, according to a 2008 research report from the National Association of Women Business Owners. But women still have more difficulty getting funding for their startups. Kimberly-Clark cites Babson College research that shows just 3 percent of venture capital funds go to women.
Eligible applicants must be women 21 years and older living in the United States. Huggies will award grants twice a year. The current submission period ends June 8. Winners will be notified within six weeks after that. For more information about grants, eligibility and how to apply, visit HuggiesMomInspired.com.
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Hi Karen,
I just came across this article and wanted to let your readers know that there is a free resource available in the Microsoft Small Business Center that may help them formulate in a professional manner, their ideas for their prospective new business. It’s a step-by-step guide that will walk them through presenting a start-up opportunity, and I think they will find it very helpful. No registration is required, and there are some great tips there.
Microsoft Small Business Center:
http://bit.ly/MSsmb
Best of luck to all!
Cheers,
Rebecca
The Microsoft.SMB Outreach Team
v-renewk@microsoft.com
The Microsoft Small Business Center is a great resource. Thank you for sharing this, Rebecca!
I recently came across your blog and have been reading along. I thought I would leave my first comment. I dont know what to say except that I have enjoyed reading. Nice blog. I will keep visiting this blog very often.
Alena
http://smallbusinessgrant.info
Thanks Alena, we’re glad you like it!