Banking On Women™

A 15-week entrepreneurship program for Utah women, presented by Synchrony

15 Weeks • For Women • scholarships

Build your business with guidance, community, and support.

Banking on Women helps Utah women start or grow a business through weekly classes, mentorship, and connections with other women in business. You’ll finish with a completed business plan, a $300 microgrant, and a cohort of women who know your name.

The program is made possible by Synchrony, whose scholarships cover the full cost for every participant, and who funds the microgrant you earn at the end.

Apply for the Spring 2027 Cohort

Register for the Info Session

Banking on Women graduate with her certificate

Is Banking on Women right for you?

There’s no cost to participate. Synchrony covers full scholarships, and Westminster University faculty teach every class.

It’s a good fit if you

Live in Utah
Have a business, or an idea for one
Can attend a weekly three-hour class for about 15 weeks
Want to learn alongside, and build connections with, other women in business

What you’ll walk away with

A completed business plan
Confidence presenting your business
Tools for managing business finances
Market research and branding strategies
Connections with women in business, mentors, and lenders
A $300 microgrant from Synchrony after completing the program requirements

In-Person Cohort

For women in Salt Lake and the surrounding counties
Tuesday evenings, 6 to 9 PM
Held at Westminster University in Salt Lake City

Rural Virtual Cohort

For women in Utah’s rural counties (Salt Lake, Weber, Davis, and Utah counties not eligible)
Wednesday evenings, 6 to 9 PM
Held over Zoom, accessible from anywhere in the state

How it works

From application to Pitch Night

1

Apply

Complete the online application and tell us about your business or business idea. Be detailed; it’s your chance to stand out.

2

Application Review

Applications are reviewed after the deadline. We may reach out with a few follow-up questions.

3

Acceptance

Selected applicants are notified one to two weeks after the application deadline. Each cohort is limited to 15 women.

4

Attend the Program

Meet weekly with your cohort for classes, guidance, and business plan development, with mentoring from the Synchrony team along the way.

5

Pitch Night

Finish the program by submitting your business plan and presenting your business to the group.

6

Receive your Microgrant

Complete the program requirements and receive a $300 microgrant from Synchrony. Graduates are also well positioned to apply for a UMLF microloan.

Spring 2027 Cohort

Key dates

October 6 — Virtual information session
October 30, 11:59 PM — Application deadline
November 13 — Applicants notified of their acceptance status
January 19 – April 20, 2027 — In-Person Cohort
January 20 – April 14, 2027 — Rural Virtual Cohort

Ready to apply?

Synchrony hosts the application on its website. After the page opens, select Apply for Program to begin. Applications must be submitted by October 30, 2026 at 11:59 PM.

Apply Now

Missed this cohort? Sign up for updates and we’ll let you know when the next one opens.

“

This is such a great program! One of the many things I loved was the interaction with other amazing women and sharing ideas. Make sure you check it out. It’s well worth your time.

Lisa Wise, Banking on Women graduate

Program partners

Founding Partner

Synchrony

Banking on Women exists because of Synchrony. As the program’s founding partner, Synchrony funds a full scholarship for every participant and the $300 microgrant each graduate earns. Their team goes well beyond the check, offering mentoring, guidance, and active engagement with every business that comes through the program. Thank you, Synchrony.

Education Partner

Westminster University faculty and instructors teach the full 15-week course, keeping it structured, practical, and accessible, and hosting the in-person cohort on their Salt Lake City campus.

Questions? Ask Deborah.

Deborah Marzano is the Banking on Women Program Director and Westminster faculty.
dmarzano@westminsteru.edu

Frequently asked questions

Who can apply?

Women who live in Utah, have a business or an idea for one, can commit to most of the weekly three-hour classes, and are ready to learn and build connections with their cohort.

What does it cost?

Nothing. Everyone accepted receives a full scholarship, funded by Synchrony.

How many people are in each cohort?

Each cohort is limited to 15 participants, which keeps the experience personal. Many participants leave with friendships that last well beyond the program.

What is the time commitment?

About 15 weeks, meeting once a week from 6 to 9 PM: Tuesdays for the Salt Lake in-person cohort and Wednesdays for the rural virtual cohort.

Do participants receive funding?

Participants who complete the requirements, including the final business plan and Pitch Night presentation, receive a $300 microgrant from Synchrony. Finishing the program also makes a strong case if you later apply for a UMLF microloan.