Unveiled beside serial entrepreneur CEO Fawn Weaver, the capital pitch signals Woman Evolve and Wells Fargo’s joint commitment to helping business owners turn inspiration into funded futures
At the intersection of faith, finance, and the future of entrepreneurial businesses, Sarah Jakes Roberts’ Woman Evolve and Wells Fargo today unveiled the Mind Your Business Capital Pitch Competition, powered by Wells Fargo. The announcement was made live from the sold-out Mind Your Business Luncheon, a cornerstone experience within the global Woman Evolve 2025 conference (WE25), now underway in Atlanta.
Unveiled during a vibrant and standing-room-only gathering of power players, visionaries, and founders, the new initiative will award $75,000 in non-dilutive capital to three early-stage small business owners and startups who embody bold ideas, clear growth potential, and cultural relevance. Each winner will receive $25,000, financial coaching, strategic visibility, and ongoing mentorship. Applications open September 2025.
“We’re not just funding businesses; we’re fueling belief in owners who are reshaping the landscape of leadership, innovation, and impact,” says Sarah Jakes Roberts, bestselling author, businesswoman, and founder of Woman Evolve. “This is what faith in action looks like.”
The announcement was made during Woman Evolve’s signature Mind Your Business Luncheon, an anchor event of WE25, the nation’s largest gathering of women of faith. Held at State Farm Arena, the sold-out experience featured a powerhouse fireside chat between Jakes Roberts and Uncle Nearest CEO Fawn Weaver, who shared insights on legacy building, risk-taking, and navigating billion-dollar vision with boldness and grace.
Centered around the theme “Turning Lemons into Lemonade,” the luncheon convened women and brought together a curated network of creatives, corporate leaders, entrepreneurs, and disruptors from across industries. The Woman Evolve Mind Your Business experience continues to emerge as one of the most high-impact business gatherings for women.
“Wells Fargo is incredibly proud to support the Mind Your Business Capital Pitch Competition,” says Gigi Dixon, head of External Engagement for Wells Fargo. “Our commitment goes beyond providing financial services; it’s about investing in the entrepreneurial journey to drive economies and help communities thrive. This is anopportunity to provide tangible resources to aspiring business owners and we’re excited to accomplish this with Woman Evolve.”
The three pitch winners will be announced later this year at a national Woman Evolve event in Chicago, where they’ll also be inducted into the Inner Circle Series, a new national mentorship initiative for founders led by Woman Evolve.
