Founders Rising FAQ

What will I get out of this program? 

• Beyond the core lessons taught, participants can expect to build community among other likeminded people, expand their network, and build their confidence as founders and business owners. 

This program is being offered by a Women’s Business Center – can men apply? 

• Yes! We encourage all aspiring and early-stage founders who have been affected by the federal changes to apply to Founders Rising. 

How many people will you accept? 

• We have capacity to accept 20 people in this pilot cohort.  

Where will the in-person sessions be held? 

• In-person sessions will be held at MWBC headquarters at 51 Monroe Street in Rockville, MD, or another venue close by. 

What if I can’t attend all the sessions? 

• We ask that all cohort members commit to participating in every session, so please carefully consider your schedule and commitments before accepting an invitation to join Founders Rising. The need in our community is so great and to ensure we have maximum impact, it is important that every cohort member is committed to fully participate in the program. That said, we understand that emergencies happen. Accepted cohort members should communicate with the MWBC if they unexpectedly need to miss a session. 

What about inclement weather? 

• We can’t control the weather, so if it’s unsafe to drive, we will replace any in-person sessions with a virtual option. 

Are sessions taking place during the winter holiday season? 

• We are not offering classes during the weeks of December 22nd and December 29th to allow all of us to recharge with our families and loved ones. We look forward to reconnecting with cohort members in January. 

Why are you charging $25? 

• The value of this program is more than $4,000, but as a nonprofit program serving entrepreneurs during a particularly difficult time of economic uncertainty, MWBC is offering Founders Rising at a fraction of that cost.  

What is the deadline to apply? 

• The application will close on Sunday, November 9th at 11:59pm. 

When will I hear from MWBC? 

• We will notify accepted, waitlisted, and deferred applicants on Monday, November 24th. Accepted applicants will have until December 1st to commit to the program. After that date, we will offer spaces to our waitlisted applicants. 
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