Launch Ready · Session 4 of 8
Funding Your Vision
Grants, microloans and community lenders serving Black entrepreneurs
Launch Ready · Session 4 of 8
Funding Your Vision
Grants, microloans and community lenders serving Black entrepreneurs
Toronto Public Library · York Woods Branch
Entrepreneur in Residence · Fall 2026 · Leo Bailey
© 2026 Fresh Wind Consulting. All rights reserved.
Session 4
Today's session
1
The funding ladder and who funds what
2
What funders look for
3
Walking through a real application
You leave with
Your personal funding pathway: two programs and what you need to apply
Launch Ready · Session 4 · Funding Your Vision
© 2026 Fresh Wind Consulting. All rights reserved.
Mindset
Money follows readiness.
Launch Ready · Session 4 · Funding Your Vision
© 2026 Fresh Wind Consulting. All rights reserved.
Funding ladder
Climb one step at a time
6
Investors
5
Bank and BDC loans
4
Microloans and community lenders
3
Micro-grants
2
Friends and family
1
Your own savings and first sales
Launch Ready · Session 4 · Funding Your Vision
© 2026 Fresh Wind Consulting. All rights reserved.
Programs to know
Funding programs to know
| Program | What it offers | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Starter Company Plus (City of Toronto) | $5,000 micro-grant, training and mentoring | You contribute 25%; set intake windows |
| Futurpreneur Black Entrepreneur Startup Program | Loan up to $75,000 plus mentorship | Ages 18 to 39; plan and cash flow needed |
| Black Entrepreneurship Loan Fund (FACE) | Loans up to $250,000 | For growth-stage businesses |
| BDC | Loans and advice for small business | Includes inclusive entrepreneurship lending |
Amounts and intake dates change. Always check the program's website before applying.
Launch Ready · Session 4 · Funding Your Vision
© 2026 Fresh Wind Consulting. All rights reserved.
Know the difference
Grants and loans
Grants
- You do not pay it back
- Competitive, small amounts
- Reporting and rules attached
- Often need your own contribution
Loans
- You pay it back with interest
- Larger amounts available
- Builds your credit history
- Needs proof you can repay
Launch Ready · Session 4 · Funding Your Vision
© 2026 Fresh Wind Consulting. All rights reserved.
Through a funder's eyes
What funders look for
1
Readiness
Registered business, bank account, a plan and early sales.
2
Story
Why you, why this business, why now, in plain words.
3
Numbers
A budget and cash flow that match your story.
Launch Ready · Session 4 · Funding Your Vision
© 2026 Fresh Wind Consulting. All rights reserved.
Your story
Your funding story in three parts
1
Why you. Your skills, experience and connection to the customer.
2
Why this. The problem, the proof people want it, and your early results.
3
Why now. What the money unlocks, and what happens next.
Launch Ready · Session 4 · Funding Your Vision
© 2026 Fresh Wind Consulting. All rights reserved.
Live walkthrough
What a typical application asks for
1
About you. Background, skills, and why you started.
2
Your business. What you sell, to whom, and how.
3
Your market. Customers, competitors and what makes you different.
4
Your numbers. Startup budget and a 12 to 24 month cash flow.
5
Use of funds. Exactly what the money pays for.
6
Documents. Master Business Licence, ID, bank statements.
Launch Ready · Session 4 · Funding Your Vision
© 2026 Fresh Wind Consulting. All rights reserved.
Avoid these
Common application mistakes
Asking for 'as much as possible'
Ask for a specific amount tied to a plan.
Numbers that do not match
Budget, story and cash flow must agree.
Missing documents
Register and open a bank account first.
Waiting until the deadline
Start weeks early. Ask someone to read it.
Launch Ready · Session 4 · Funding Your Vision
© 2026 Fresh Wind Consulting. All rights reserved.
Your turn · 10 minutes
Pen and paper · use your handout
Map your funding pathway
- Where are you on the ladder today?
- Pick two programs that fit your stage
- List what you already have for each
- List what you still need, and by when
Your next step is usually a document, not a dollar.
Launch Ready · Session 4 · Funding Your Vision
© 2026 Fresh Wind Consulting. All rights reserved.
Take home
What you are leaving with
The funding ladder and where you stand
Programs that fit your stage
Your pathway and missing documents
Next week
Rules of the Road
Questions? Book a one-on-one session.
Launch Ready · Session 4 · Funding Your Vision
© 2026 Fresh Wind Consulting. All rights reserved.
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Session 4
Today's session
The funding ladder and who funds what
What funders look for
Walking through a real application
You leave with
Your personal funding pathway: two programs and what you need to apply
Mindset
Money follows readiness.
Funding ladder
Climb one step at a time
Investors
Bank and BDC loans
Microloans and community lenders
Micro-grants
Friends and family
Your own savings and first sales
Programs to know
Funding programs to know
| Program | What it offers | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Starter Company Plus (City of Toronto) | $5,000 micro-grant, training and mentoring | You contribute 25%; set intake windows |
| Futurpreneur Black Entrepreneur Startup Program | Loan up to $75,000 plus mentorship | Ages 18 to 39; plan and cash flow needed |
| Black Entrepreneurship Loan Fund (FACE) | Loans up to $250,000 | For growth-stage businesses |
| BDC | Loans and advice for small business | Includes inclusive entrepreneurship lending |
Amounts and intake dates change. Always check the program's website before applying.
Know the difference
Grants and loans
Grants
- You do not pay it back
- Competitive, small amounts
- Reporting and rules attached
- Often need your own contribution
Loans
- You pay it back with interest
- Larger amounts available
- Builds your credit history
- Needs proof you can repay
Through a funder's eyes
What funders look for
Readiness
Registered business, bank account, a plan and early sales.
Story
Why you, why this business, why now, in plain words.
Numbers
A budget and cash flow that match your story.
Your story
Your funding story in three parts
Why you. Your skills, experience and connection to the customer.
Why this. The problem, the proof people want it, and your early results.
Why now. What the money unlocks, and what happens next.
Live walkthrough
What a typical application asks for
About you. Background, skills, and why you started.
Your business. What you sell, to whom, and how.
Your market. Customers, competitors and what makes you different.
Your numbers. Startup budget and a 12 to 24 month cash flow.
Use of funds. Exactly what the money pays for.
Documents. Master Business Licence, ID, bank statements.
Avoid these
Common application mistakes
Asking for 'as much as possible'
Ask for a specific amount tied to a plan.
Numbers that do not match
Budget, story and cash flow must agree.
Missing documents
Register and open a bank account first.
Waiting until the deadline
Start weeks early. Ask someone to read it.
Your turn · 10 minutes
Pen and paper · use your handout
Map your funding pathway
- Where are you on the ladder today?
- Pick two programs that fit your stage
- List what you already have for each
- List what you still need, and by when
Your next step is usually a document, not a dollar.
Take home
What you are leaving with
The funding ladder and where you stand
Programs that fit your stage
Your pathway and missing documents
Next week
Rules of the Road
Questions? Book a one-on-one session.
© 2026 Fresh Wind Consulting. All rights reserved. Shared with Launch Ready participants for personal use. Please don’t copy, republish or resell.