Funding opportunities for educators, artists, entrepreneurs

Half the of the battle of raising capital is finding the right opportunity.

To give you a hand, we’ve gathered some timely opportunities so you don’t have to. Here’s more on funding opportunities with deadlines drawing near:

AT&T Aspire Accelerator

Application deadline: Feb. 7

Ed-tech ventures are encouraged to apply for the 2017 AT&T Aspire Accelerator. In its third year, any organization that focuses on using technology to help students succeed are eligible to parties.

“We believe that education is the most important investment we can make and tech is our business. When you marry up education with technology you can start to make amazing change,” AT&T’s Nicole Anderson said in a release. “I’m excited to work with the 2017 class to bring more game-changing solutions to scale for students and teachers across the country.”

AT&T’s Aspire Accelerator’s aim is for all students to achieve a bright future, and will offer participating ed tech startups financial investment, access to services and mentorship for 6 months. Winners of the nationwide competition could win up to $100,000. The program will begin in May. For more information, click here.

InnovateHER Challenge

Application deadline: May 12

The U.S. Small Business Administration launched its annual InnovateHER: Innovating for Women Business Challenge. The challenge is open to any U.S. citizen or permanent resident over the age of 18. Competitors must fit the following criteria: a product or service that has a measurable impact on the lives of women, has the potential for commercialization and fills a marketplace need.

Launched in 2015, the SBA’s InnovateHER aims to address the opportunity-gap for women’s access to venture capital. Participating women have the potential to win $70,000, thanks to a gift from the Sara Blakely Foundation. To apply, click here.

American Small Business Championship

Application deadline: Feb. 13

The fourth-annual American Small Business Championship invites small businesses — a for-profit entity with less than 50 employees that’s been in operation for at least a year —  to apply to this national opportunity.

Courtesy of Sam’s Club, eligible entrepreneurs will have a chance to win one of three $25,000 grand prizes. Two firms from each state will also receive a $1,000 gift card from Sam’s Club.

Along with the funding, grant recipients will receive one year of mentoring via SCORE and a trip to the 2017 SCORE awards, which will be held Sept. 14 in Washington, D.C. Business will be selected through public voting and will be judged by small business experts. For more information, click here.

Artist INC Advance

Application Deadline: Jan. 23

Open to all Artist INC or Creative Capital Professional Development Weekend alumni, Artist INC Advance aims to empower artists to take their projects to completion by creating specific action plans. Kansas City artists will learn marketing, budgeting, financing and communication skills through the program. The eight-week program will culminate with a final presentation event on May 8, in which three artists will be awarded $1,000.