Starting or growing a business can be overwhelming.

To help women face the challenges, The Catalyst Center for Business & Entrepreneurship’s Women’s Business Center partnered with the women’s volunteer organization, Junior League of Huntsville, to establish the Ignite Program and the Ignition Scholarship.

“At The Catalyst, we are passionate about seeing small businesses succeed,” said Lisa Mays, The Catalyst CEO, “with (the Junior League’s) commitment to developing women’s potential, this was a perfect fit for our Women’s Business Center through which to offer new opportunities to women in our community.

“We believe in women uplifting women, and this collaboration embodies that.”

The Catalyst supports women in launching or growing small businesses in North Alabama.

The Ignition Scholarship, sponsored by Junior League of Huntsville, will provide training and networking opportunities and funding to the scholarship recipient. Qualified applicants will satisfy predetermined training and technical assistance through the Women’s Business Center. The first scholarship recipient will be announced in late spring.

“We are honored to be partnering with such an esteemed women’s business training organization,” said Junior League President. “By helping establish both Ignite and the Ignition Scholarship, we hope to facilitate more opportunities for women in the greater Huntsville and Madison County communities.”

For information on the scholarships, email wbc@catalystcenter.org and visit www.jlhuntsville.com.