The BALSA Foundation empowers first-time entrepreneurs to start and grow their business

 

About Us

The BALSA Foundation’s mission is to promote social equity and prosperity in the St. Louis region by empowering first-time entrepreneurs to start and grow their businesses.

The BALSA Grant

The BALSA Grant gives $1000 and mentorship to first time St. Louis entrepreneurs to help them start and grow their business.  We try to help those who need and can benefit from our help the most.

 Volunteer with Us

We are an all-volunteer nonprofit powered by people looking to make a difference in our community.  Can you help?

 

a 2024 What’s Right with the Region Award HONOREE

 
 

Welcome to the latest cohort!

The Spring 2024 BALSA Grant cohort!

 

RESOURCES

The Entrepreneur's Roadmap is a free comprehensive guide to starting a business.

The Entrepreneur's Roadmap is a free comprehensive guide to starting a business.

Idea Support provides free expert feedback to help you improve your idea.

Idea Support provides free expert feedback to help you improve your idea.

The BALSA Grant provides cash and mentorship to help you start your business.

The BALSA Grant provides cash and mentorship to help you start your business.



Rachel Simon-Lee

Interview with BALSA Grant Winner

Madeline Jackson

Interview with BALSA Grant Winner


We believe that lowering barriers to entrepreneurship will help promote social equity and prosperity in our region.
— The BALSA Foundation
 

We provide mentorship and resources to help first-time entrepreneurs get started, and rely on support from the entrepreneurial community to do so.  

You can help us by volunteering your time or donating to The BALSA Grant.  

Learn more about us.

“We honed our craft on our own but definitely gained a lot of business knowledge from the mentorship we received from the Balsa Foundation and the Balsa Learning series. We absolutely would not be where we are if it was not for the support and guidance we received from this foundation”
— Darren and Charlene Young - The Fattened Caf