Grid110: Scaling Equity Through Entrepreneurship

Access to tech and creative industry employment

City of Los Angeles (select only if your project has a citywide benefit)

Expand existing project, program, or initiative (expanding and continuing ongoing, successful work)

LA is rich in opportunity within the tech and creative industries, yet systemic barriers continue to limit access for underrepresented entrepreneurs, particularly Black, Latinx, Indigenous, Women, LGBTQ+, and low-income Angelenos. At Grid110, we address these inequities by providing no-cost, no-equity programs that equip founders, with the skills, confidence, and community to support their entrepreneurial journey. We have supported 370+ companies, and nearly 500 founders over the past decade, 77% of whom identify as a person of color, 70% as women. Our alumni have raised $125M+ in external funding and created more than 700 local jobs. By expanding access to entrepreneurial education, industry resources, and community building, we are not only helping underrepresented individuals create their own opportunities, we are contributing to a more inclusive and equitable economy for LA.

This grant will support the expansion of Grid110’s Idea to Launch Bootcamp, a six-week program designed to equip underrepresented Angelenos with the foundational tools to launch scalable ventures in LA's tech and creative economy. The bootcamp blends self-guided content with weekly live sessions focused on validating business ideas, understanding customer needs, and building storytelling and pitching skills. Participants gain hands-on experience, real-time feedback, and ongoing support as they work toward launching a functional product or service within three months.
We typically accept 15 - 25 founders per cohort but consistently receive hundreds of applications, which demonstrates the overwhelming demand for inclusive, accessible entrepreneurial programming. With this grant, we will grow the size and scope of the program to support our largest cohort yet, anticipating anywhere from 40-75 founders to participate. We will also introduce new in-person workshops, hands-on learning opportunities, and curated community-building events that deepen connections and provide exposure to LA’s creative and tech ecosystems.
Participants gain mentorship, practical training, and over $100k in free tools and resources through our 40+ perk partners. Most importantly, they join a supportive community of peers who reflect LA's diversity. Through this expanded programming, we will help more Angelenos see entrepreneurship as an achievable, supported pathway to career and economic growth.

If our work is successful, Los Angeles County will be home to a thriving ecosystem of diverse entrepreneurs who are building businesses that reflect the city’s culture, creativity, and potential. Founders who have historically been excluded from startup support, especially BIPOC, women, LGBTQ+, and low-income Angelenos, will have the tools, confidence, and community to launch and grow their ventures. These businesses will generate income, create local jobs, and solve problems rooted in their communities. By expanding access to entrepreneurial education, mentorship, and networks, we envision a Los Angeles where innovation is driven by inclusion and economic mobility is powered by opportunity. Our goal is to help make entrepreneurship not just possible but probable for anyone with an idea and the drive to build something meaningful.