Three Northern Kentucky startups have been awarded equity-free funding from Main Street Ventures to grow and expand their business.
Main Street Ventures is an entrepreneurial support nonprofit that provides capital and coaching to entrepreneurs in the Greater Cincinnati area. The organization provides two types of grants: Launch and Leap funding — each designed for businesses in different developmental stages.
The three companies selected for funding, Inflow, Mimi’s Macros and Taste on Elm, all received Leap funding.
Launch Funding provides pre-revenue businesses with $5,000 to $10,000 of equity-free funding at the prototype or product stage. This funding looks to increase the company’s odds of reaching the market entry stage and beyond.
Leap Funding provides revenue-generating businesses with $10,000 to $30,000 of equity-free funding to scale their business and increase their overall sustainability.
In addition, 50% of the funding comes from the Northern Kentucky Entrepreneurship Fund, a financial vehicle launched by Blue North, the region’s primary entrepreneurial advocacy and resource nonprofit, to increase funding opportunities and visibility for startups and small businesses in Northern Kentucky.
“Last year we invested more than $1 million in funding to support more than 60 entrepreneurs,” Main Street Ventures Executive Director Sean Parker said in a press release. “We are excited to announce the first round of grant recipients in our 25th anniversary year of supporting local entrepreneurs and startups.”
Leap funding
Inflow is an AI-powered design platform that streamlines the design process for fast-moving businesses.
Mimi’s Macros is a Union-based healthy meal prep company.
Taste on Elm is a Ludlow-based cafe, wine shop and specialty food market.