Poker Power x IFundWomen Launch $100,000 “Power Play” Small Business Grant to Empower Women Entrepreneurs

<p data-start="294" data-end="773">In an exciting collaboration, <strong data-start="324" data-end="339">Poker Power</strong> and <strong data-start="344" data-end="364">IFundWomen (IFW)</strong> have announced the <strong data-start="384" data-end="433">largest small business grant in IFW’s history</strong> — the <strong data-start="440" data-end="462">“Power Play” Grant</strong>, designed to help women entrepreneurs go all-in on their business dreams. With <strong data-start="542" data-end="565">$100,000 in funding</strong>, strategic coaching, mentorship from industry leaders, and even poker training designed to sharpen business instincts, this initiative blends empowerment, skill-building, and opportunity like never before.</p>
<p data-start="775" data-end="896">For women ready to raise the stakes on their entrepreneurial journey, this is more than just a grant — it’s a movement.</p>
<hr data-start="898" data-end="901">
<h3 data-start="903" data-end="951"><strong data-start="907" data-end="951">A $100,000 Power Play for Women Founders</strong></h3>
<p data-start="953" data-end="1137">Ten finalists from across the United States will head to <strong data-start="1010" data-end="1048">New York City on November 18, 2025</strong>, for an unforgettable pitch competition. There, they’ll compete for the <strong data-start="1121" data-end="1137">grand prize:</strong></p>
<ul data-start="1139" data-end="1472">
<li data-start="1139" data-end="1201">
<p data-start="1141" data-end="1201">♣️ <strong data-start="1144" data-end="1162">$100,000 grant</strong> to invest directly in their business</p>
</li>
<li data-start="1202" data-end="1274">
<p data-start="1204" data-end="1274">❤️ <strong data-start="1207" data-end="1242">6 months of IFundWomen Coaching</strong> for long-term business growth</p>
</li>
<li data-start="1275" data-end="1376">
<p data-start="1277" data-end="1376">♠️ <strong data-start="1280" data-end="1305">4 mentorship sessions</strong> with <strong data-start="1311" data-end="1345">Poker Power founder Jenny Just</strong> and her professional network</p>
</li>
<li data-start="1377" data-end="1472">
<p data-start="1379" data-end="1472">♦️ <strong data-start="1382" data-end="1411">4-week online poker class</strong> to teach strategy, negotiation, and risk assessment skills</p>
</li>
</ul>
<p data-start="1474" data-end="1651">This unique combination of <strong data-start="1501" data-end="1547">funding, mentorship, and skill development</strong> makes the Power Play Grant one of the most holistic entrepreneurial support programs available today.</p>
<p data-start="1653" data-end="1891">“Poker Power is all about teaching women to make bold decisions, manage risk with confidence, and play to win — not just at the table, but in life and business,” said <strong data-start="1820" data-end="1860">Erin Lydon, President of Poker Power</strong>, in a recent Forbes feature.</p>
<hr data-start="1893" data-end="1896">
<h3 data-start="1898" data-end="1944"><strong data-start="1902" data-end="1944">Why Poker and Business Go Hand in Hand</strong></h3>
<p data-start="1946" data-end="2253">At first glance, poker might seem far removed from entrepreneurship. But Poker Power’s philosophy flips that notion on its head. The organization was founded on a simple but transformative idea — that the <strong data-start="2151" data-end="2252">skills required to win at poker are the same skills that drive success in leadership and business</strong>.</p>
<p data-start="2255" data-end="2271">These include:</p>
<ul data-start="2272" data-end="2447">
<li data-start="2272" data-end="2318">
<p data-start="2274" data-end="2318"><strong data-start="2274" data-end="2316">Strategic thinking and risk management</strong></p>
</li>
<li data-start="2319" data-end="2367">
<p data-start="2321" data-end="2367"><strong data-start="2321" data-end="2365">Reading emotions and negotiation tactics</strong></p>
</li>
<li data-start="2368" data-end="2413">
<p data-start="2370" data-end="2413"><strong data-start="2370" data-end="2411">Confidence in high-pressure decisions</strong></p>
</li>
<li data-start="2414" data-end="2447">
<p data-start="2416" data-end="2447"><strong data-start="2416" data-end="2445">Resilience after setbacks</strong></p>
</li>
</ul>
<p data-start="2449" data-end="2615">Poker Power’s training teaches women how to take calculated risks, assert their value, and trust their instincts — essential qualities for anyone leading a company.</p>
<p data-start="2617" data-end="2765">As Lydon explains, “The poker table is a meritocracy. It rewards strategy, patience, and courage — qualities that every great entrepreneur needs.”</p>
<hr data-start="2767" data-end="2770">
<h3 data-start="2772" data-end="2811"><strong data-start="2776" data-end="2811">A Movement Backed by IFundWomen</strong></h3>
<p data-start="2813" data-end="3011">This isn’t Poker Power’s first venture into empowerment, but the <strong data-start="2878" data-end="2898">Power Play Grant</strong> marks a milestone partnership with <strong data-start="2934" data-end="2948">IFundWomen</strong>, the leading funding marketplace for women-owned businesses.</p>
<p data-start="3013" data-end="3289">Since its inception, IFundWomen has connected thousands of women founders with <strong data-start="3092" data-end="3147">millions in grants, coaching, and community support</strong>. The organization’s mission is to close the funding gap for women — who still receive less than <strong data-start="3244" data-end="3277">2% of venture capital funding</strong> globally.</p>
<p data-start="3291" data-end="3545">Through this collaboration, IFW and Poker Power aim to provide not just <strong data-start="3363" data-end="3384">financial capital</strong>, but also <strong data-start="3395" data-end="3429">social and educational capital</strong> — the kind that builds confidence, competence, and a powerful network of female founders helping each other rise.</p>
<hr data-start="3547" data-end="3550">
<h3 data-start="3552" data-end="3602"><strong data-start="3556" data-end="3602">More Than a Game: Empowerment Through Play</strong></h3>
<p data-start="3604" data-end="3934">Poker Power’s innovative approach to empowerment has attracted attention from top media outlets and corporate partners. Featured in <strong data-start="3736" data-end="3746">Forbes</strong>, the organization has evolved into a <strong data-start="3784" data-end="3825">B2B professional development platform</strong>, teaching poker-inspired leadership skills to teams at companies like Google, Morgan Stanley, and PepsiCo.</p>
<p data-start="3936" data-end="4160">However, Poker Power remains committed to individuals, too. Women and girls can <strong data-start="4016" data-end="4058">sign up for free virtual poker lessons</strong> or <strong data-start="4062" data-end="4094">download the Poker Power app</strong>, giving anyone a chance to develop these transformative skills.</p>
<p data-start="4162" data-end="4373">The Power Play initiative embodies this inclusive mission — offering a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for women founders to combine <strong data-start="4294" data-end="4315">practical funding</strong> with <strong data-start="4321" data-end="4340">personal growth</strong> and <strong data-start="4345" data-end="4370">strategic empowerment</strong>.</p>
<hr data-start="4375" data-end="4378">
<h3 data-start="4380" data-end="4425"><strong data-start="4384" data-end="4425">How to Apply for the Power Play Grant</strong></h3>
<p data-start="4427" data-end="4541">Applications for the <strong data-start="4448" data-end="4493">Poker Power x IFundWomen Power Play Grant</strong> are now open. The process is straightforward:</p>
<ol data-start="4543" data-end="4808">
<li data-start="4543" data-end="4595">
<p data-start="4546" data-end="4595"><strong data-start="4546" data-end="4593">Apply via the official IFundWomen platform.</strong></p>
</li>
<li data-start="4596" data-end="4651">
<p data-start="4599" data-end="4651">Share your <strong data-start="4610" data-end="4648">business story, mission, and goals</strong>.</p>
</li>
<li data-start="4652" data-end="4724">
<p data-start="4655" data-end="4724">Explain how the <strong data-start="4671" data-end="4688">grant funding</strong> will help you scale your venture.</p>
</li>
<li data-start="4725" data-end="4808">
<p data-start="4728" data-end="4808">Be ready to showcase your leadership and innovation if selected as a finalist.</p>
</li>
</ol>
<p data-start="4810" data-end="4996">Ten finalists will be invited to <strong data-start="4843" data-end="4881">New York City on November 18, 2025</strong>, for the live final round — an exciting opportunity to pitch in front of judges, media, and potential investors.</p>
<p data-start="4998" data-end="5442">? <strong data-start="5001" data-end="5015">Apply now:</strong><br data-start="5015" data-end="5018"><a class="decorated-link" href="https://www.pokerpower.com/blog/poker-empowers-women-and-girls-by-building-confidence-and-teaching-essential-leadership-skills?utm_source=ifw+landing+page&utm_medium=button&utm_campaign=post+application+traffic" target="_new" rel="noopener" data-start="5018" data-end="5442">https://www.pokerpower.com/blog/poker-empowers-women-and-girls-by-building-confidence-and-teaching-essential-leadership-skills?utm_source=ifw+landing+page&utm_medium=button&utm_campaign=post+application+traffic</a></p>
<hr data-start="5444" data-end="5447">
<h3 data-start="5449" data-end="5502"><strong data-start="5453" data-end="5502">The Broader Impact: Changing the Funding Game</strong></h3>
<p data-start="5504" data-end="5679">The Power Play Grant arrives at a critical time. In today’s economy, <strong data-start="5573" data-end="5624">women-led startups are growing faster than ever</strong>, yet access to capital remains a persistent barrier.</p>
<p data-start="5681" data-end="5886">By blending the worlds of gaming, finance, and leadership, Poker Power and IFundWomen are not just offering a grant — they’re <strong data-start="5807" data-end="5833">changing the narrative</strong> about who gets funded and how women learn to lead.</p>
<p data-start="5888" data-end="5954">The initiative sends a clear message: <strong data-start="5926" data-end="5951">confidence is capital</strong>.</p>
<p data-start="5956" data-end="6063">Whether through the poker table or the boardroom, learning to bet on yourself is the ultimate power move.</p>
<hr data-start="6065" data-end="6068">
<p data-start="6094" data-end="6305">The <strong data-start="6098" data-end="6143">Poker Power x IFundWomen Power Play Grant</strong> isn’t just about money — it’s about momentum. It’s about giving women the tools, mentorship, and mindset to scale their businesses and own their success story.</p>
<p data-start="6307" data-end="6471">From learning to take strategic risks to standing confidently at the decision table, this program is redefining what empowerment looks like for women in business.</p>
<p data-start="6473" data-end="6613">If you’re a woman entrepreneur ready to take your business to the next level, don’t fold — <strong data-start="6564" data-end="6577">apply now</strong> and play your strongest hand yet.</p>
<hr data-start="6615" data-end="6618">
<p data-start="6620" data-end="6912"><strong data-start="6620" data-end="6651">Learn more and apply today:</strong><br data-start="6651" data-end="6654">? <a class="decorated-link" href="https://www.pokerpower.com/blog/poker-empowers-women-and-girls-by-building-confidence-and-teaching-essential-leadership-skills?utm_source=ifw+landing+page&utm_medium=button&utm_campaign=post+application+traffic" data-start="6657" data-end="6912">Poker Power x IFundWomen Power Play Grant</a></p>
<p data-start="6620" data-end="6912">{rsform 176}</p>