Twelve local businesses in Richmond’s East End received Supporting East End Entrepreneurship Development (SEED) grant awards, totaling $112,000. The SEED program, which has been held annually since 2011, has distributed more than $1.2 million benefiting more than 60 businesses in the Church Hill, Shockoe Bottom, and Fulton corridors of the East End, as well as the Commerce Road and Hull Street corridor in Manchester, to-date.
To catalyze thriving commercial corridors, SEED provides new or existing small businesses with grants up to $25,000, which include business coaching services on marketing, financing, and other business needs. The grant funding and coaching together help businesses expand and become more resilient, bringing greater commercial activity and job opportunities to the community.
As part of an effort to evaluate and enhance the program, a 2024 Impact Study was conducted in partnership with the Richmond Night Market. Insights from the study informed this year’s program enhancements, including expansion into Shockoe Bottom, an increase in the number of small business coaches, and a shift in process to include more in-person engagement to better support local our SEED entrepreneurs.
The 2025-2026 grant awards consisted of nine first-time recipients: Bel Walter Farm, Glue Craft Studio, Honey Baked Bee LLC, Leek & Thistle, Luminary Hair Co., RFCC Academy, LLC, Richmond Slingshots, Rollin Eatz LLC, and Wild Earth Fermentation. They join three other businesses that have received SEED awards in prior years: Bono’s Caribbean Cuisine, Fat Rabbit LLC, and Top Stitch Mending.
“The SEED program is a testament to what can happen when an anchor institution commits to supporting its community, and we are proud of the impact it has had on local entrepreneurs,” said Mike Lutes, Richmond market president and Virginia State President for Bon Secours. “By supporting small businesses, we help build stronger commercial corridors and improve the overall economic health of the East End. We are proud to continue our long-standing investment alongside our partner InUnison and to cheer on the small businesses that have benefits from this program.”
Bon Secours was a founding partner in the creation of the SEED program in 2011, which was initiative as an economic development and job creation initiative for Richmond’s East End neighborhood. InUnison joined the initiative as fund administrator in 2019 and plays an integral role in providing these small businesses with access to a network of peer business owners in addition to no-cost resources including advocacy and information.
“We are grateful for Bon Secours’ continued partnership and shared commitment to small business growth," said Nancy Thomas, President, and CEO of InUnison. "By investing in entrepreneurship, the SEED program equips business owners with the tools and support they need to succeed while helping build stronger, more resilient neighborhoods across our community.”
The 2025-2026 SEED Business Review Panel includes Scott Aronson, strategic services officer, Rising Tide and co-owner, Ukrop’s Homestyle Foods; Lester Johnson, president, Mama J’s; Duncan Thomas, president, Carsource, Inc.; Lisa McSherry, owner, Lex’s of Carytown and Mamie’s Apothecary; Ashley Williams Hillman, founder and CEO of the Well Collective; and Shekinah Mitchell, director of neighborhood engagement, Bon Secours.