Applications Now Open for SBAM Foundation’s Women’s Entrepreneurial Fellowship

You’ve built the business. You’ve survived the startup phase. You’ve hired employees, navigated uncertainty, and made countless decisions with limited time and resources.

Now comes the next challenge.

The SBAM Foundation’s Women’s Entrepreneurial Fellowship (WEF) is accepting applications for its next cohort of women business owners who are ready to strengthen their leadership, grow their businesses, and connect with peers who understand the realities of entrepreneurship. The fellowship is a nine-month experience created specifically for established women-owned businesses across Michigan.

For many entrepreneurs, the early years of business are defined by hustle, experimentation, and survival. But growth brings a new set of challenges: managing people, making strategic decisions, balancing leadership demands, and building a company that can thrive long into the future. The Women’s Entrepreneurial Fellowship was designed to help business owners navigate that stage with confidence.

Unlike a traditional networking group or classroom-style business program, WEF combines peer learning, mentorship, coaching, and practical business education into an experience built around real-world challenges. Participants engage in monthly workshops focused on topics such as leadership, financial management, operations, strategic planning, and sustainable growth. Along the way, they receive individualized support from experienced mentors and build meaningful relationships with fellow entrepreneurs from across Michigan.

Each cohort is intentionally small, creating an environment where participants can openly discuss challenges, share experiences, and learn from one another. Many fellows describe the relationships built during the program as one of its most valuable outcomes, providing a trusted network that continues long after graduation.

The impact is already being felt across Michigan. Graduates have completed the fellowship stronger, more confident leaders with new strategies, fresh perspectives, and a powerful network of peers committed to supporting each other’s success. The program’s 2025-2026 cohort included entrepreneurs representing industries ranging from manufacturing and accounting to childcare, fitness, retail, and marketing.

The Women’s Entrepreneurial Fellowship is designed for women business owners who have moved beyond the startup phase and are committed to continued growth and development.

Applications for the next cohort are now being accepted.

If you’re ready to step away from working solely in your business and invest time in leading it into its next chapter, the Women’s Entrepreneurial Fellowship offers the tools, guidance, and community to help you get there.

Learn more and apply: Women’s Entrepreneurial Fellowship Application

For additional information about the program, visit Women’s Entrepreneurial Fellowship.

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