BEVEL has partnered with Invest Fest for the second consecutive year to offer $25,000 to one entrepreneur. The Atlanta-based grooming brand’s Vendor Marketplace Grant program opens applications Monday through August 11th. Small business owners attending Invest Fest 2025 can compete for this transformative funding opportunity.
The grant targets entrepreneurs who demonstrate both strong business potential and cultural impact. BEVEL seeks to support businesses that drive meaningful conversations forward, not just create products. This approach aligns with the company’s mission to make positive community impacts beyond grooming solutions.
Applications are now live at investfest.com/bevelgrant/ with a tight deadline approaching. Interested entrepreneurs must act quickly to submit their proposals before the August 11th cutoff. The winner will be announced live on Earn Your Leisure’s Market Mondays podcast September 15th.
BEVEL’s Community-Focused Mission Drives Grant Initiative
BEVEL’s Vice President of Marketing, Breann Satterwhite, emphasized the company’s holistic approach to serving customers. “Our everlasting mission at BEVEL is to serve our customers’ holistic needs,” she explained in a statement. The brand extends beyond grooming products to create lasting community impact through entrepreneurial support.
The partnership with Invest Fest represents BEVEL’s commitment to elevating the next generation of entrepreneurs. Satterwhite noted the power of supporting business owners who share their community dedication. This alignment creates meaningful partnerships that extend far beyond simple financial transactions.
Furthermore, BEVEL’s second year of participation demonstrates their long-term commitment to entrepreneur development. The consistent support helps establish credibility and trust within the small business community. Entrepreneurs can rely on BEVEL as a genuine partner in their growth journey.
Previous Winners Double Dutch Aerobics Set Success Example
Last year’s grant recipients, Double Dutch Aerobics, exemplify the type of innovative businesses BEVEL supports. Founders Michelle and Sean Clark transformed childhood jump rope activities into legitimate fitness programs. Their concept demonstrates how traditional activities can become modern business opportunities.
The Clarks used BEVEL’s $25,000 funding to expand their reach significantly after winning the inaugural grant. Their success story provides concrete evidence of the grant’s transformative potential for small businesses. The funding helped them scale operations and increase their cultural impact.
Their achievement also shows how creative entrepreneurs can build successful businesses around familiar concepts. Double Dutch Aerobics proves that innovation doesn’t always require completely new ideas. Sometimes, reimagining existing activities can create powerful business opportunities and cultural movements.
Invest Fest 2025 Provides Major Platform for Black Entrepreneurs
Invest Fest runs August 22-24 at Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta. The three-day event connects entrepreneurs with actual investors, not just networking opportunities. Participants can pitch real business ideas to people with decision-making power and funding capacity.
The event has established itself as a significant platform for Black entrepreneurship and business development. Attendees gain access to resources, mentorship, and investment opportunities rarely available elsewhere. The concentrated format maximizes networking potential and business development opportunities.
Moreover, the Georgia World Congress Center location provides a professional environment that elevates the entire experience. The venue choice demonstrates Invest Fest’s commitment to presenting entrepreneurs in the best possible light. This setting helps legitimize small businesses and their growth potential.
Grant Selection Criteria Focus on Business Potential and Cultural Impact
Judges evaluate applications based on two primary criteria: business potential and cultural influence. BEVEL wants to support entrepreneurs who drive meaningful conversations while building sustainable businesses. This dual focus ensures grant recipients can create both financial and social returns.
The cultural impact component distinguishes this grant from traditional business funding opportunities. BEVEL recognizes that successful businesses often shape community conversations and social movements. They prioritize entrepreneurs who understand their broader responsibility to their communities.
Additionally, the business potential assessment ensures grant recipients can effectively utilize the funding. BEVEL wants to maximize their investment’s impact by supporting scalable business models. The combination of cultural awareness and business acumen creates ideal grant recipients.
Partnership Reflects Shared Commitment to Entrepreneur Empowerment
Abdoulaye Sow, Chief Operating Officer of Earn Your Leisure, praised the continued BEVEL partnership. “Our continued partnership with BEVEL represents a shared commitment to empowering and investing in entrepreneurs,” he stated. The collaboration goes beyond simple sponsorship to create meaningful business support.
The partnership provides both capital and visibility that can shift business trajectories permanently. Sow emphasized how the grant showcases businesses while delivering substantial funding. This comprehensive support addresses multiple needs that small businesses face simultaneously.
Furthermore, the relationship between BEVEL and Earn Your Leisure creates credibility for grant recipients. Association with both organizations enhances winner profiles within entrepreneurial communities. The partnership amplifies the grant’s impact far beyond the $25,000 funding amount.
Application Process and Timeline Create Urgency for Entrepreneurs
The August 11th application deadline creates immediate urgency for interested entrepreneurs. Small business owners must prepare comprehensive applications quickly to meet this tight timeline. The compressed schedule requires decisive action from serious applicants.
BEVEL CEO Damon Frost will personally announce the winner during the September 15th Market Mondays podcast. This high-profile announcement adds prestige to the entire grant program. Winners receive recognition from industry leaders in addition to substantial funding.
The streamlined process from application to announcement spans just over one month total. This efficiency helps entrepreneurs maintain momentum while awaiting results. Quick turnaround times prevent prolonged uncertainty that often accompanies grant applications and business funding requests.
