How I got my first $10,000 in funding!

Getting my first $10,000 in grant funding came from finding the right opportunity, applying, going through training, building a strong business plan, asking for help, practicing my pitch, and showing up prepared. The opportunity started while I was attending Humber College in Ontario. I received an email from our Project Coordinator Joch Clavier studying UX/UI design Post grad about a student entrepreneurship program that supports students, both domestic and international, who are interested in starting a business. Since I already had an idea I wanted to pursue, I applied.

After getting into the program, I went through about six weeks of business training. The program helped me understand what it takes to turn an idea into a real business plan. I learned how to define the problem, understand my target audience, explain my solution, think through the market, create a revenue model, and plan how the business could grow. One of the biggest parts of the process was building a strong business plan. To move forward to the final competition, the plan had to be clear, detailed, and well thought out. It was not enough to just have a good idea. I had to show that I understood the problem, the people I was helping, how the business would work, and how the funding would be used.

I PRACTICED A LOT AND REFINED EVEN MORE. I ATTENDED A 1 MINUTE PITCH PRACTICE AS WELL, THAT REALLY HELPED

I also reached out for support. I spoke to teachers, advisors, and pitch mentors who helped me review my plan and improve my pitch. Their feedback helped me see what was unclear, what needed more detail, and how to communicate the business better. I kept editing, refining, and improving the plan until it felt much stronger. Once my business plan was selected, I moved on to the final pitch competition. I created a pitch deck and practiced a lot. I practiced by myself, with advisors, and with people who could give honest feedback. This helped me become more confident, improve my timing, and explain my idea more clearly.

On competition day, I pitched the business to the judges. I shared the problem, my solution, who the business was for, why it mattered, and how the funding would help move it forward. After the pitch, it was announced that I was one of the winners. That was how I received my first $10,000 in funding to start my business.

The biggest lesson I learned is that funding does not only come from having a good idea. It comes from taking the process seriously, asking for help, accepting feedback, practicing, and being willing to improve. The grant was not just a win; it was a starting point that helped me begin building the business with more confidence and direction.