The votes are in. The judges have spoken. And eight incredible mom entrepreneurs have some serious celebrating to do!
The 2026 High Five Grant for Moms, sponsored by U.S. Bank, is awarding $22,500 in unrestricted grants to eight mom-owned businesses making an impact across the United States and Canada.
This year's awardees are creating solutions for working parents, opening doors for women in traditionally male-dominated industries, expanding access to care, and building stronger communities.
🏆 $10,000 Top Grant Awardee: Mila's Keeper
Lara Vu, MPH | Founder & CEO | Los Angeles, California
A big high five, and $10,000, is headed to Los Angeles!
Mila's Keeper, founded by Lara Vu, is making life easier for breastfeeding moms with innovative breast milk storage solutions that offer more freedom and flexibility.
Its flagship product, the MilKeeper, earned recognition as a TIME Best Invention, but Lara's ambitions reach well beyond a single product. Through her certified B Corp, she's working to improve the experience of motherhood by advocating for paid parental leave, workplace pumping rights, and greater opportunities for women.
With a background in global public health and a mission rooted in supporting mothers, Lara is building a business that challenges the idea that women should have to choose between their careers and their breastfeeding goals.
Congratulations to Lara and Mila's Keeper, our 2026 $10,000 Top Grant Awardee!
🥈 $5,000 First Runner-Up: Parker & Talia
Valerie Bernal | Founder & CEO
Comfort shouldn't be a luxury, especially for kids who experience sensory sensitivities.
That's the belief behind Parker & Talia, our 2026 First Runner-Up and recipient of $5,000!
Founder Valerie Bernal is bringing thoughtful design to sensory-friendly clothing, helping families find everyday essentials that feel as good as they look.
With more than 50,000 pairs of socks sold, Parker & Talia has already made a difference for families across the country. Now, the company is expanding into adult sizes, bringing its comfort-first approach to even more people.
Valerie is proving that a product designed to solve one family's problem can grow into a business that helps thousands of others.
High five to Valerie and Parker & Talia on their $5,000 award!
🥉 $2,500 Second Runner-Up: Dirty Birdy
Anna Myers | Founder | Santa Cruz Mountains, California
Women are getting their hands dirty, taking on tough jobs, and building incredible things. They deserve clothing that can keep up.
Meet Dirty Birdy, our 2026 Second Runner-Up and recipient of $2,500!
Founded by Anna Myers, Dirty Birdy is creating durable, functional, well-fitting workwear specifically for women. Whether they're working in the trades, farming, or tackling their latest DIY project, Anna wants women to have gear that helps them feel capable and confident.
She's bringing fresh thinking to a category where women's needs have too often been an afterthought.
Congratulations to Anna and Dirty Birdy on their $2,500 award!
Five More Businesses. Five More $1,000 Grants.
Our five honorable mentions are doing some pretty remarkable things of their own! Each will receive a $1,000 unrestricted grant to invest in her business.
Acro Gravity Academy
Veronica Tirado | Founder & Co-Owner | North Miami, Florida
Acro Gravity Academy is helping children build confidence, creativity, and new skills through circus arts and movement. Founder Veronica Tirado is creating a space where young people can challenge themselves, discover their abilities, and reach new heights, literally and figuratively!
Carolina Crew Football Club
Ashley Blake | Owner & Founder | Fayetteville, North Carolina
Carolina Crew Football Club is giving female athletes more opportunities to compete and grow beyond college soccer. Under founder Ashley Blake's leadership, the women's semi-professional club has earned championship honors and promotion to WPSL Division I for 2027. Ashley has her sights set on building a sustainable professional women's soccer organization.
Compass Rose Care
Melanie Hval, MN, RN | Founder & CEO | Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Compass Rose Care is rethinking what quality care at home can look like. Founder Melanie Hval is expanding options for seniors and adults with complex health needs through registered-nurse-led home care, an adult day program, and a collaborative technology pilot focused on preventing avoidable emergency visits.
D-Mac-N Enterprises
Devida McLemore | Founder & CEO
D-Mac-N Enterprises is moving freight and working toward something even bigger. Founder Devida McLemore is growing her trucking and logistics company with a vision of creating jobs, mentorship, and economic opportunities for women, single mothers, and people ready for a fresh start in the transportation industry.
HerPower AI
Hanya Hu | Founder & CEO | Palo Alto, California
HerPower AI is making artificial intelligence more accessible to women, no technical background required. Founder Hanya Hu has grown her community to more than 1,000 members since launching in July 2025, helping women develop practical AI skills for careers, businesses, and leadership opportunities.
A Big High Five to Our 2026 Sponsors
Behind every High Five Grant is a community of people and organizations who believe that investing in mom-owned businesses is an investment worth making.
We're especially grateful to U.S. Bank, our 2026 Title Sponsor, for helping make this year's $22,500 in grants possible.
We're also proud to recognize the other generous partners who helped bring the 2026 High Five Grant to life: Trucordia, Silver & Salt Capital, Kenect, Gimme Beauty, Comma Copywriters, Linkd, and Minky Couture.
Thank you for believing in mom entrepreneurs and backing that belief with meaningful support.
When Moms Win, We All Win
Since 2018, the High Five Grant for Moms, hosted by The Mama Ladder, has been working to help mom entrepreneurs build businesses with the potential to reach $1 million in annual revenue.
Because moms don't lack ideas, ambition, or the ability to get things done. Sometimes what they need is someone willing to invest in what they're building.
That's what the High Five Grant is all about.
To our winners: You've earned this moment. Celebrate it! We can't wait to cheer you on as your businesses continue to grow.
And to every mom who applied, rallied her community, or took a chance on her business this year: we're cheering for you, too. Thank you for sharing what you're building with us.
