The Naomi Fund

The Naomi Fund is our way of honoring Grandma Tudy—whose fearless spirit taught us that food, like support, hits different when it comes from the heart.

We built Tudy’s Kitchen to shake up tradition and create space for joy, self-expression, and generational wealth in our community.

Now, we’re paying it forward.

About The Naomi Fund

The Naomi Fund is here to back builders like you. Your story, your product, your dream deserves to be seen. And when one of us rises, we all rise.

If you’re the kind of founder who’s dreaming big, starting small, and doing it all with heart—this fund is for you.

Here’s what’s on the table:

  • €2,500 in funding to move your vision forward

  • A real connection to a growing network of bold, values-driven entrepreneurs

  • Visibility and recognition from a brand that knows what it means to hustle and grow

This fund opens twice a year. Two spots. One shot. If you’re building something powerful, don’t wait.

The founder (Nekeia) with her little sis (Shawnee) and Grandma Tudy back in the day

A Personal Note From Our Founder

I built Tudy’s Kitchen to shake up tradition and tell stories through every scoop. But at the core, the brand’s mission has always been about more than ice cream. It’s about legacy. It’s about creating space for joy, self-expression, and generational wealth in communities like ours.

This fund is personal. Tudy’s Kitchen isn’t a faceless organization—we’re underrepresented founders who’ve lived the grind. We’ve worked the late nights. We’ve heard the no’s. We’ve been in your shoes and we know what it takes to keep going when the odds are stacked against you.

As underrepresented founders ourselves, we see you—and we built this to support you. This application process is designed to be simple and supportive. We’re not here to test you—we’re here to lift you up.

Eligibility For The Naomi Fund

We’re looking for early-stage founders who:

  • Identify as part of an underrepresented community (Black, Indigenous, people of color, LGBTQ+, immigrant, disabled, or other historically excluded groups)

  • Are 18+ and reside in the European Union

  • Own or co-own a business that’s less than 5 years old (it does not need to be profitable yet)

  • Have limited access to traditional capital

  • Are building something that aims to create generational wealth or community impact

HOW TO APPLY

We want to hear your story – the real one. Be prepared to submit the following:

  1. Basic Info

    • Your name, contact info, and where you’re based

    • Your business name

    • A website or social media handle that shows your business is active

  2. Your Business Story

    • What led you to become an entrepreneur?

    • What is your wild ambition goal?

    • What are you building and what do you aim to achieve with your brand?

  3. Your "Why"

    • What inspired you?

    • What obstacles have you faced?

    • How does your business help build generational wealth or create community change?

  4. What You’d Do With €2,500

    • Be specific. Will it help with marketing costs? Equipment? Working capital? Something else?

  5. A Compelling Video

    • In 1-2 minutes, tell us about your product, your passion, your why, or anything else you feel is relevant.

    • Speak from the heart – perfection is not the goal here.

The Selection Process

A small, diverse panel of entrepreneurs, creatives, and the team behind Tudy’s Kitchen will carefully review each application. We’ll choose two recipients based on the following:

Scoring Rubric (out of 100 points)

  • Clarity of Purpose (20 pts) – Do we understand what you’re building?

  • Authenticity & Passion (20 pts) – Does your story connect?

  • Impact Potential (20 pts) – Could this business make a real difference?

  • Use of Funds (20 pts) – Is the budget thoughtful and strategic?

  • Video Submission (20 pts) – Do we feel who you are and why this matters?

Recipients will be contacted by July 10, 2025 and announced publicly on July 15, 2025.

If selected, be ready to share how the funding helped, what changed, and what grew. Your journey will help others see what’s possible.

READY TO APPLY?

We’ve taken Tudy’s Kitchen from our kitchen table to food festivals, iconic night markets and big retailers across the EU. Now, we’re opening that door for you.

Important dates for the Spring 2025 round:

APPLICATIONS OPEN: MAY 21, 2025
DEADLINE: JUNE 21, 2025
RECIPIENTS ANNOUNCED: JULY 15, 2025

This is legacy work. Let’s build something that lasts—together.

Contributions To The Naomi Fund

The Naomi Fund started as a promise—to honor Grandma Tudy’s legacy by opening doors that were once closed to people like her. But it’s bigger than us now. It’s community-powered. If you believe in bold ideas, underrepresented founders, and building generational wealth from the ground up—we invite you to contribute.

Your donation goes directly toward funding future recipients of The Naomi Fund. Whether it’s €10 or €10,000, you’re helping someone take a brave next step in their journey.

When you give, you’re not just supporting a founder. You’re backing a vision, a family, a future. Email us at hello@tudyskitchen.com to receive a direct link to donate to the fund.