The Founder Fund

The Hidden 10 Founder Fund provides targeted capital support to help Black women founders achieve specific revenue or growth milestones.

This fund is not a grant and not intended for idea-stage projects. It is designed for businesses that are already operating and generating revenue, and are seeking funding paired with strategic support and visibility.

Participating founders will receive:

  • Capital of up to $5,000 USD to support a clearly defined growth initiative, such as marketing, inventory expansion, product development, or operational scaling.

  • Amplified visibility through The Hidden 10’s media channels, partner networks, and founder ecosystem.

  • Access to a network of peers, partners, and investors to foster meaningful connections and collaborative opportunities.

  • Ongoing support to help accelerate business growth and unlock long-term opportunities.

Repayment Structure

The Hidden 10 Founder Fund operates on a revenue-linked funding model, designed to align repayment with business performance and growth while supporting sustainable scaling:

  • Funding Agreement: The founder and The Hidden 10 agree on a capital amount, a percentage of monthly revenue to be shared (the “remit rate”), and a total repayment cap. The cap is set as a multiple of the original investment (e.g., 1.2x to 3x).

  • Capital Disbursement: Founders receive the agreed capital upfront to invest in a clearly defined growth initiative, such as marketing, inventory, hiring, or operational scaling.

  • Revenue-Based Payments: Payments are proportional to actual revenue, so higher-earning months result in higher contributions, and lower-earning months reduce the burden.

  • Completion: Once the total capped amount is reached, the agreement ends.

Why This Model

The Hidden 10 chose this approach to ensure that funding is flexible, aligned with real business growth, and sustainable. It reduces financial pressure on founders during slower periods while rewarding growth as it happens. This model also allows the fund to recycle capital, supporting additional founders over time, creating a self-sustaining ecosystem. Founders can focus on scaling their business strategically while benefiting from ongoing guidance, network access, and visibility through The Hidden 10 ecosystem.

Eligibility

The Founder Fund is open to Black women founders who:

  • Operate a business that is already generating revenue.

  • Have a clear growth initiative and measurable objectives.

  • Seek strategic support, visibility, and connections alongside funding.

  • Are building businesses with long-term scale and sustainability in mind.

This fund is not suitable for:

  • Idea-stage or pre-revenue businesses

  • Individuals without an existing business

  • Applicants looking for a grant or one-off financial support

  • Businesses without clear growth intent

Next Step

By continuing, you confirm that:

  • You identify as a Black woman.

  • Your business is currently operating and generating revenue.

  • You understand that funding is repayable.

  • You are seeking funding along with strategic support, visibility, and growth opportunities.

Accept & Continue