Workday Gives 15 Solopreneurs $10K and AI Training

Getting a business off the ground as a solo founder just got easier for 15 Americans who will receive $10,000 grants and cutting-edge AI training this summer.

Workday Foundation partnered with Anthropic and the Local Initiatives Support Corporation to launch a first-of-its-kind accelerator designed specifically for solopreneurs. The program kicks off in July 2026 with $150,000 in total funding split among participants who'll also get free access to Claude AI and personalized business coaching.

"Small businesses are the lifeblood of our communities, and AI holds incredible potential to open the doors of opportunity," said Carrie Varoquiers, Chief Impact Officer at Workday. The timing couldn't be better, as more than three-quarters of small business owners already use AI tools, with nearly all reporting positive results.

Each participant will work through a custom curriculum built by LISC that teaches practical applications for marketing, customer management, and financial planning. One-on-one coaching from LISC's network of Business Development Organizations means founders won't just get money and technology but actual human guidance on how to use both effectively.

The program addresses a real gap in the startup world. Solo founders often have the biggest dreams and the smallest budgets, making it hard to compete with larger companies that can afford expensive tools and expert staff.

"In the race to adapt and understand how to harness the power of AI technologies, it is crucial for the health of our communities that small businesses are equipped to utilize this technology," said Michael Pugh, president and CEO of LISC. The organization plans to share what they learn publicly so other entrepreneurs and support organizations can benefit too.

The Ripple Effect

This program does more than help 15 individuals. When solo business owners succeed, they hire locally, serve their neighborhoods, and often become the economic anchors of their communities.

By combining financial support with technology training and human mentorship, the accelerator tackles three major barriers at once. Participants won't have to choose between paying rent and investing in their business, and they'll learn skills that stay valuable long after the program ends.

Elizabeth Kelly, Head of Beneficial Deployments at Anthropic, noted that lowering barriers to starting a business creates opportunities for people who might otherwise never get the chance to build something of their own. The tools exist, but access and knowledge make all the difference.

Aspiring solopreneurs can apply through LISC's website, and future cohorts are already being planned based on what organizers learn from this first group.

Fifteen businesses are about to get the boost they need to turn ideas into impact.