Startups

A quarter of WeWork’s Black-owned business grants went to DC-area companies

The bicoastal chain of coworking spaces dished out $2 million in grants to Black-owned small businesses, 45 of which are local.

WeWork at Midtown Center's common area. (Photo via WeWork's website)

WeWork dished out grants to 200 small businesses and 45 of those companies are based in the D.C. area, the company said last week.

The bicoastal chain of coworking spaces with more than a dozen local locations launched its Black-owned business grant program in June to award $2 million to Black-owned small businesses operating out of WeWork locations across the world.

WeWork partnered with Ureeka, a community of startups working to grow their ventures, to grant the funding. Each grant amounts to $10,000 and includes resources for startups looking to network and grow.

Some of the local companies that secured grants include:

  • Capture Create Media, an advertising agency that produces marketing and promotional materials to help businesses and brands amplify their message, expand influence and reach new audiences
  • Walker’s Legacy, which provides mentorship, programming, master classes and networking to help women of color who are entrepreneurs
  • Femme Fatale, a Mount Vernon Square hub for womxn and nonbinary creatives, entrepreneurs and organizers that aims to “advance intersectionality on a platform of equity”

P.S. Walker’s Legacy just picked 51 entrepreneurs to participate in its nine-week PROSPECTUS Business Accelerator Program, which will wrap Sept. 12. See the full list of participants on the org’s website.

Companies: WeWork
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