Fueling Emerging Entrepreneurs: LISC LA & BMO Support LA Startups

LISC LA, alongside its partner BMO, introduced the Fueling Emerging Entrepreneurs (FEE) grant initiative to uplift small business owners across Los Angeles County who are driving innovation, equity, and economic growth. The program provides $5,000 grants to selected finalists, celebrating entrepreneurial creativity, perseverance, and positive community impact.

The Fueling Emerging Entrepreneurs program spotlights local founders whose ventures are grounded in creative thinking and pathways to economic opportunity throughout Los Angeles County.

The 2025 FEE finale was held on October 10, 2025, at Hotel Indigo in Los Angeles. The gathering convened investors, business professionals, student founders, and community stakeholders to honor grant recipients, feature fast-paced pitch presentations, and foster meaningful connections that support the future of entrepreneurship in the region.

The 2025 recipients and pitch finalists awarded $5,000 grants included:

• Sivil Technologies — Tony Rice: A mission-driven platform connecting communities with reliable services and essential resources.
• Nxmotive — Kyle McMillan & Jennifer McMillan: An electric mobility company designing advanced e-bike solutions for modern city travel.
• A1 Academics LLC — Allayah Beamon: An education-focused organization delivering customized academic support and enrichment for students.
• Azadi Health — Rodney Bell: A wellness brand providing holistic health offerings tailored to underserved populations.
• StartHER TV — Judith Norman: A digital media platform elevating and amplifying women entrepreneurs and creative voices.
• Aqua Equity — Ryan Morgan: A bottled water company reinvesting proceeds to promote equity in under-resourced communities.
• Duck Punk Productions — Mellissa Tong: An award-winning creative marketing firm producing compelling content for television, digital platforms, and corporate storytelling.
• WattsUp EV — Hilary Taylor: A clean energy startup focused on developing accessible and sustainable EV charging infrastructure.

The event was hosted by Monique Idlett, Co-Founder and General Partner at Reign Ventures. The keynote address was delivered by Chris Yeh, Founding Partner at Blitzscaling Ventures and co-author of Blitzscaling: The Lightning-Fast Path to Building Massively Valuable Companies. Additional remarks and presentations were provided by Anita DardenGardyne, CEO of RPG Associates, a Silicon Valley innovator, award-winning business leader, and pitch coach.

Event highlights included:

• High-energy pitch presentations from eight standout finalists
• A grant awards ceremony honoring emerging business leaders
• A VIP networking reception and book signing with funders, executives, and community leaders

“At LISC LA, we are committed to empowering local entrepreneurs by expanding access to capital and business development tools,” said Jabbar Wesley, Senior Program Officer and Head of Economic Development at LISC LA. “The Fueling Emerging Entrepreneurs program is an important vehicle for supporting small businesses and strengthening the economic fabric of Los Angeles.”