InnovateHERs Scholarship Challenge
Empowering the next generation of female entrepreneurs and business leaders
Apply on Bold.org →Apply as an International Applicant →
Empowering the next generation of female entrepreneurs and business leaders
Apply on Bold.org →400+ applicants have sent in business plans from 243 cities across 28 countries and 41 U.S. states. Explore where they're building from.
Each dot is a city, not a person. Lots of applicants come from the same place, so there are far fewer dots than applications!
Women bring unique perspectives, creative ideas, and the dedication necessary to launch successful businesses that benefit their communities. Yet very few resources exist for young women who want to start businesses, facing stereotypes, biases, financial struggles, and other challenges along the way.
This scholarship supports female students who plan to spend their careers as entrepreneurs and business leaders. Any female-identifying high school student with an interest in business may apply.
Here's how it works: the challenge is tri-annual, running three times a year, so there's always another round coming up. You can apply to as many rounds as you like until you win (past winners can't win again). Instead of an essay, you submit a two-page business plan for a product or service of your choice, real or hypothetical. Our judges pick 10-20 finalists, and from them, 3 winners each receive a $500 scholarship and are featured here on our website.
Wishing you the best of business! ♥lots of love, the InnovateHERs team
Fall 2026 winners ↓
No essay required! Instead, submit a compelling two-page business plan for a product or service of your choice, real or hypothetical. Your plan will be judged on innovation, vision, and practicality.
A short elevator pitch (1–3 sentences) explaining your idea.
What it is, how it works, and what problem it solves.
At least one image or design: a mockup, prototype photo, sketch, or model.
Who it's for and why they would buy it.
Why your idea stands out from competitors.
Startup costs, expenses, revenue estimates, and potential funding sources.
A rough timeline and key steps for bringing the idea to life.
Any positive societal or environmental effect of your business.
Selection also considers: Ambition, Drive, and Impact.
