Fueling Emerging Entrepreneurs Intake Questionnaire

Program Overview

Fueling Emerging Entrepreneurs (FEE) is a grant initiative developed by LISC LA in partnership with BMO, designed to support the growth, resilience, and sustainability of small businesses across Los Angeles County. The program focuses on entrepreneurs located in under-resourced communities—especially those who have historically faced barriers to accessing capital—and aims to increase their ability to grow, compete, and contribute to local economic ecosystems.

We welcome applications from:

Small businesses with annual revenue up to $250,000 — including early-stage entrepreneurs and side hustles with growth potential
Entrepreneurs who have historically struggled to access capital
Business owners are committed to strengthening their communities through local hiring, service, or economic activity.

The program is grounded in the belief that access to flexible capital, when paired with coaching and connections, can create lasting change for entrepreneurs and the communities they serve.

Application Deadline: July 31, 2025, 11:59PM PST

What Makes This Program Different

The Fueling Emerging Entrepreneurs Program offers more than just financial relief—it is designed to provide momentum.

Grant recipients receive:

Flexible-use funding to address urgent needs or unlock growth opportunities
Visibility through storytelling and promotional features on LISC LA and BMO platforms
Access to support from local partner organizations that offer technical assistance, business development, and coaching
Community and network building through events and shared learning opportunities

Eligibility Requirements:

Business Location: Business must be located in Los Angeles County
Annual Revenue Requirement: Up to $250,000
Business Type: Makers, Innovators, Content Creators, Media, Data, Education, Legal, Finance, Technology, Nonprofit Organizations, Social Enterprise, Real Estate, Fashion/Apparel, Food, Beverage, Sports and Entertainment, Consulting and professional services, transportation, health and wellness, security, and any other micro-business that has a unique business model.
Banking: Must have an active business checking account in the applying business’s name
Age Requirement: Business owner must be 18 years or older
Social Media: Must have a business profile on a social media platform such as the Fud app, LinkedIn, X, IG, TikTok, etc.
Geographic Emphasis: Priority given to businesses based in venue cities/locations: Los Angeles, Inglewood, Long Beach, Santa Monica, Pasadena, Carson, Arcadia, El Monte and Venice Beach
Assessment Requirement: Must complete all Challenge Steps (1–9), including assessments and video pitch
Community+Economic Impact Requirement: Business must demonstrate potential for growth and community impact

The Fueling Emerging Entrepreneurs Program uses a dynamic, challenge-based application process designed to build capacity while identifying promising small businesses. Rather than a traditional static application, this approach helps entrepreneurs reflect on key aspects of their business while engaging with tools, resources, and a supportive community. Before proceeding, LISC recommends that respondents visit our website for information about the application process.

For general questions, please check the Frequently Asked Questions regularly for updates about the Fueling Emerging Entrepreneurs (FEE) grant.

For additional questions not answered by the Frequently Asked Questions, please email FuelingEntreprenuers@lisc.org. We are monitoring this email regularly and updating our Frequently Asked Questions accordingly.

Terms and Conditions

Applicants may apply once and for one business only. For business owners with multiple businesses, please complete this application based on your largest business owned. Awards will be made to qualified businesses, and eligibility is based on an accurate and complete submission.

Priority will be given to businesses based in the following “venue cities: Los Angeles, Long Beach, Inglewood, Santa Monica, Pasadena, Carson, Venice Beach, El Monte, Pomona, Arcadia. Nonprofit organizations are ineligible for this application.

If your business is selected as a finalist, you will be notified via email. Being selected as a finalist does not guarantee a grant will be awarded. As a finalist, additional documentation will be required, including Date of Birth, Social Security Number, Tax Identification Number, Individual Tax Identification Number and/or Employer Identification Number for the applicant and/or the business in order for us to perform the due diligence required by the program’s funding source. This due diligence inquiry may include a background search that we will conduct at our expense. If the due diligence step is successfully completed, we will ask for your business's W-9 and banking information so that we may transfer funds by ACH to your designated account. If your W-9 and banking information does not match your application, you may be ineligible to receive grant funds.

Privacy: Information provided through the application process is the responsibility of each applicant. Applications submitted to the portal remain confidential to the general public and any fellow applicants. Applicants will not hold LISC, BMO or either of their respective affiliates, and/or their affiliates’ respective members, partners, officers, employees, and agents liable for any losses, damages, costs, or expenses of any kind relating to the use or the adequacy, accuracy, or completeness of any information loaded in the form. For further information please see LISC’s privacy policy. Data entered on this secure form utilizes FormAssembly. More info.

Conflict of Interest: Current directors, officers, employees and contractors of LISC or BMO and such individuals' family members (spouse, parents, children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and spouses of children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren) may not be eligible to receive an award.

Publicity: If awarded, please be advised that the business/applicant’s application information, name, statements, and other information provided during the award process may be used for promotional purposes in all forms and media and the business/applicant may be contacted by LISC and/or the program sponsors for such purposes. Applicant grants to LISC and the program sponsors a perpetual license to use such information without additional compensation (except where prohibited by law), and without any right to review and/or approve such content. Until notified, applicants must agree not to share any status as a finalist publicly, including but not limited to all social media platforms, news media, or local publications.

Monitoring: LISC may monitor and conduct evaluation activities funded by the Fueling Emerging Entrepreneurs (FEE) Grant. This might involve a review of quantitative or qualitative data needed to understand the impact of the fund.

Submission Guidance: LISC cannot accept changes to your application once it has been submitted, so please review it carefully. Your work may not be saved if you leave the web page before applying. You may also lose your work if your internet is disconnected or as a result of other potential web browser issues.

You will see a confirmation page after successful completion of this application.

1. I acknowledge that I have read and agree to the Terms and Conditions stated above:

YesNo

Final Step: Please review the information below, e-sign and submit your application:

Thank you for completing your application. Please click 'Submit' below to complete your submission.

If your business is selected as a finalist, you will be notified via email. Being selected as a finalist does not guarantee a grant will be awarded. As a finalist, additional documentation will be required, including Date of Birth, Social Security Number, Tax Identification Number, Individual Tax Identification Number and/or Employer Identification Number for the applicant and/or the business in order for us to perform the due diligence required by the program’s funding source.

This due diligence inquiry may include business verification that we will conduct at our expense. If the due diligence step is successfully completed, we will ask for W-9 and appropriate banking information so that we may transfer funds by ACH to your designated account.

For general questions, please check the Frequently Asked Questions regularly for updates about the

Fueling Emerging Entrepreneurs (FEE) grant. For additional questions not answered by the Frequently Asked Questions, please email FuelingEntreprenuers@lisc.org. We are monitoring this email regularly and updating our Frequently Asked Questions accordingly.

For data security questions, please review LISC’s Privacy Policy.

For updates on additional resources and programs, visit LISC's Small Business Resource page.

Referral Source
Who referred you to apply for this grant opportunity? (e.g., name of organization)
Please specify or enter N/A.

If you were referred by an organization, please provide the name of your referral contact.

By signing your full name and submitting the application below, you confirm that the information provided about you and your business are true in all material respects.