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Founderland Forward Grant

Terms &
Conditions

These terms explain eligibility, the non-refundable application fee, selection, and how grants are awarded. By applying, you agree to them and confirm that the information you provide is true and complete.

Updated September 4, 2026

Core eligibility

The Forward Grant is specifically for women of colour founders.

Experiences connected to nationality, age, motherhood, caregiving, socioeconomic circumstances, or cultural background may be significant, but they do not independently qualify an applicant. An applicant must meet the women-of-colour criterion as well as every other requirement below.

01

Eligibility

  • Applicants must self-identify as women of colour and be aged 18 or older.
  • The business must be at least 50% women-owned and based in Europe or the United Kingdom. The applicant does not personally need to own the full 50%.
  • Ventures may be for-profit businesses or revenue-generating non-profits at idea, prototype, or early-operating stage.
  • Applicants should explain the racial or ethnic barriers they have encountered in their entrepreneurial journey.
  • Nationality, age, motherhood, caregiving, socioeconomic circumstances, migration experience, religion, disability, or cultural background do not by themselves meet the women-of-colour eligibility requirement. These factors may compound the experience of an otherwise eligible applicant, but they do not replace the core criterion.
  • Applications that do not meet every eligibility requirement will not be considered.
02

Application fee

  • Each application requires a non-refundable €50 fee.
  • At least €40—or 80%—of each fee is allocated to the grant pool. The remainder covers independent review, platform, and administrative costs.
  • Applicants who are ineligible will not receive a refund. Review all eligibility requirements carefully before submitting. Limited fee waivers may be requested through the fee-waiver request form before applying.
03

Selection process

  • Applications are screened by the Founderland team.
  • Finalists are reviewed by an independent advisory group of investors, accelerator leads, and founders.
  • Up to five €10,000 grants are awarded each quarter, depending on available funding and the quality of eligible applications.
  • Selection decisions are final and are not open to appeal.
04

Use of funds

  • Grant funding is equity-free.
  • Recipients are expected to use the grant for business-related purposes such as product development, marketing, legal setup, operations, or living costs while building.
  • Applicants must provide a clear, realistic use-of-funds plan, and recipients may be asked to report on the milestone the funding supported.
05

Taxes

  • Recipients are solely responsible for any tax, reporting, or legal obligations related to receiving the grant in their country of residence or business registration. Founderland does not provide tax or legal advice.
06

Reapplication

  • Applicants may reapply in a later cycle.
  • If at least six months have passed since the applicant’s most recent submission, the returning-applicant fee is €25. If fewer than six months have passed, the standard €50 fee applies.
  • Applicants must use the application ID from their confirmation email so the correct fee can be verified.
07

Disqualification

  • Founderland may disqualify applications that are false, misleading, incomplete, submitted without full payment or an approved waiver, or otherwise inconsistent with the stated eligibility and programme rules.
08

Privacy

  • Applicant data is handled in accordance with Founderland’s Privacy Policy.
  • Personal data is used to administer the programme and is not sold. It is shared only with service providers and authorised reviewers where necessary to operate and assess the grant.
09

Accessibility

  • If you need an accommodation related to the application process, contact hello@founderland.org before the deadline.