The League of Extraordinary Investors
The League of Extraordinary Investors is a diverse group of people who invest in the work of the weVENTURE Women’s Business Center Program as the leading voice and resource for female entrepreneurs on the Space and Treasure Coasts. Their philanthropic support enables weVENTURE WBC to provide business education and training at low or no cost to clients.
weVENTURE WBC recognizes individuals and small businesses who contribute a $1,000 annual donation* as members of the League of Extraordinary Investors (LEI). These generous community leaders are the financial foundation on which our start-up ecosystem is built and help ensure our award-winning services remain low or no-cost to the community.
Since 2007, weVENTURE WBC has offered a wide range of programs that support the growth of local businesses, with a focus on personalized support to help each entrepreneur meet their unique financial goals. Services span business coaching, professional mentoring, business education, specialized peer groups, technical assistance, business resources, leadership development and purposeful networking opportunities.
*Qualifying annual investments may be a one-time $1,000 gift, or recurring $250 quarterly gift or $100 monthly gift.
The League of Extraordinary Investors help to provide:
- Free professional business coaching and low or no-cost business education and training for over 1,000 unique clients a year from the Space and Treasure Coasts.
- Access to mentoring for established businesses trying to navigate change or prepare for growth.
- Scholarships for aspiring entrepreneurs to access the education and training they need to launch a business.
- Leadership development opportunities for professional women across all industries.
- The annual IMPACT Microgrant Program* that provides direct capital infusions to deserving weVENTURE WBC clients.
LEI Background
The League of Extraordinary Investors, formally known as the League of Extraordinary Women, has been the philanthropic support of the WBC program since the early 2000’s. Florida Tech is required to match dollar for dollar the annual $150,000 SBA grant which funds the weVENTURE WBC program. This can be accomplished through program income (charging fees for service) or private investment from the community. Every dollar raised from individuals and generous business sponsors allows weVENTURE WBC to provide services at low or no cost to our clients, which removes barriers for women and other underserved individuals to get the help they need to achieve business success and financial independence.
View current members of the League of Extraordinary Investors
LEI IMPACT Microgrant Program
Inspired by the national IMPACT 100 movement which empowers women to create transformational community impact through philanthropy, the League of Extraordinary Investors harness the power of collective giving to make a larger impact in the community. 10% of all League donations go directly to an IMPACT grant fund. Since 2023, weVENTURE WBC has been able to provide microgrants of $5,000 - $15,000 to deserving local businesses. League members are invited to participate in the selection process for grants. Read more about it HERE.
The application for the IMPACT Grant typically opens in June, with finalists announced in August. They are invited to pitch their business live onstage at the IMPACT Summit in October, where final cash awards are presented.
Benefits of Investment
Donations are 100% tax-deductible, with no direct ticket or sponsorship benefits tied to the philanthropic gift. weVENTURE WBC is a program of Florida Tech, a not-for-profit educational institution.
weVENTURE WBC is proud to recognize the members of the League Investors at all weVENTURE WBC business education events and programs, as well as on our website and in event publications, as they help make all our programming possible.
In addition to this name recognition, League Investors may also be invited to exclusive networking receptions with other weVENTURE WBC investors and program graduates, which foster important connections between established, successful business leaders and our aspiring and emerging entrepreneurs.
LEI members also have the exclusive opportunity to buy advance tickets to other weVENTURE WBC special fundraising events, like the Wine Women & Shoes, before they are available to the public.
