Grants for Small businesses - Business and Commerce

This program provides mentorship and resources to early-stage entrepreneurs and small businesses developing innovative products from sustainable West Coast groundfish, supporting both market readiness and economic growth in coastal communities.

Ohio's Premier Manufacturing Pitch Competition, sponsored by MAGNET, is a grant program designed to foster manufacturing innovation and support startups in Ohio. The program aligns with a mission to advance the manufacturing sector by providing crucial resources, including financial awards and expert consulting services, to promising entrepreneurs. This initiative aims to bridge the gap between innovative ideas and market-ready products, thereby strengthening Ohio's industrial landscape. The primary beneficiaries of this program are Ohio-based entrepreneurs who possess a physical product, an innovative idea, or a manufacturing innovation. The competition specifically targets startups that are poised for growth and can benefit from strategic support to reach their next milestone. The impact goals include stimulating economic development within Ohio, creating new job opportunities, and enhancing the state's reputation as a hub for advanced manufacturing. The program prioritizes a multi-faceted approach to support, focusing on engineering design assistance, operational services, lean operations, and sales and marketing. A notable focus is the Innovation Award, sponsored by Huntington, which provides up to $10,000 specifically for diverse founders, underscoring a commitment to inclusive growth and equitable access to opportunities within the manufacturing sector. Additionally, the competition offers exposure to The Advanced Manufacturing Fund and visibility to a judging panel of local service providers and investors, providing invaluable networking and funding opportunities. Expected outcomes include the successful development and commercialization of new manufacturing innovations, leading to increased revenue for participating startups and a stronger, more diversified manufacturing base in Ohio. Measurable results include the total amount of prizes awarded, which exceeds $75,000, and the provision of MAGNET’s manufacturing consulting services tailored to the specific needs of the companies. The program also aims to foster a collaborative ecosystem where entrepreneurs receive guidance from MAGNET's team of manufacturing experts, contributing to a robust pipeline of talent and innovation.

This program provides flexible funding to local governments to improve housing, infrastructure, and economic opportunities for low- and moderate-income individuals in their communities.

This program provides financial assistance to farmers in Orange County, North Carolina, to support innovative agricultural projects that enhance income and market access.

This funding opportunity provides $1,000 micro grants to U.S. military veterans who own small businesses with annual revenues under $5 million and between 2 to 100 employees.

The Office of Adult Career Pathways, part of the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development, is offering grants to eligible small businesses in Minnesota to support Diversity and Inclusion training. This initiative aims to enhance these businesses' abilities to attract, hire, and retain people of color across various roles. The program emphasizes equity, innovation, and performance in its awarding criteria, focusing on training participants facing significant employment barriers, fostering an inclusive skilled workforce, and implementing innovative solutions to workforce challenges. Grants are available up to $1,425,000 each state fiscal year, with a maximum of $30,000 available per business for the biennium, limited to one award per biennium. Applications are accepted on a continual basis until funds are depleted, with no awards exceeding $1,425,000 before July 1, 2024.

Gener8tor invites applications for gBETA Milwaukee, a free, seven-week accelerator program designed to support early-stage companies with local roots in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. This program runs multiple times annually, selecting up to five companies from a diverse range of verticals. The grant aims to foster entrepreneurial growth and development within the Milwaukee community, aligning with a mission to empower nascent businesses and prepare them for future investment or seed funding rounds. The primary beneficiaries of the gBETA Milwaukee program are early-stage companies based in Milwaukee, ranging from those with initial ideas to those with significant revenue. While most participating companies are post-product and pre-scale, the program is open to any business ready to grow and commit approximately five hours per week to programming, plus additional time for business development. The impact goal is to significantly accelerate the growth and investor readiness of these companies, ultimately contributing to the economic vitality of Milwaukee by nurturing local innovation. The program's priorities and focuses are centered on individualized coaching and mentorship, investor readiness, and access to valuable resources. Participants receive expert guidance from gener8tor on company growth, weekly "Lunch & Learns," "Mentor Swarms," and opportunities for investor and accelerator pitches. A key focus is to equip companies with the skills and connections needed to secure over $1 million in deals and perks from vendors such as IBM Cloud, Rackspace, Amazon, and Microsoft. The expected outcomes include graduates successfully participating in investment accelerators or raising seed rounds. Measurable results are tied to the number of companies selected, the amount of deals and perks received, and the subsequent investment success of the alumni. The foundation's strategic priority is to build a robust ecosystem for early-stage companies, and its theory of change posits that by providing intensive support, mentorship, and connections, these companies will be better positioned for growth, investment, and long-term success, thereby stimulating local economic development.

The Town of Walworth, having received funding through the American Rescue Plan (ARPA) of 2021, has an interest in supporting small businesses and non-profit organizations who have been impacted by the Coronavirus pandemic. As the town is supportive of making investments that back long-term growth and opportunity, $100,000 has been allocated to this project, and this application has been made available as a tool for the purpose of assisting COVID-19 impacted small-businesses/ non-profit organizations in their recovery efforts.

This competition provides financial incentives for U.S.-based manufacturers of solar photovoltaic modules and inverters to achieve environmental certification, enhancing their marketability and sustainability efforts.

This program provides up to $5,000 to small, independently owned businesses in Arcadia, California, to help cover costs associated with permits for opening, expanding, or improving their commercial spaces.

This grant provides financial support for Nebraska-based businesses to develop prototypes, with a focus on innovation in non-retail primary industries, including value-added agriculture.

This grant provides funding for marketing initiatives that promote events in Provincetown, particularly those that attract visitors during off-peak seasons and enhance community collaboration and diversity.

The Equip Harlingen grant program, offered by the Harlingen Economic Development Corporation (EDC), is a small business matching grant designed to provide financial assistance of up to $3,000 for new equipment purchases. This program is rooted in the EDC's mission to foster economic development within the City of Harlingen. By supporting businesses in expanding their production capabilities, the grant directly aligns with the foundation's strategic priority of stimulating economic activity and promoting job retention and creation. The underlying theory of change is that direct investment in local businesses' operational capacity will lead to increased production, sales, and ultimately, a more robust local economy with sustained employment opportunities. The primary target beneficiaries of the Equip Harlingen grant are for-profit commercial businesses located within the city limits of Harlingen, TX. Specifically, the program targets businesses that have been operational for at least one full year, occupy commercial space, and have fewer than 20 employees. This focus aims to bolster the small to medium-sized business sector, which is often a significant driver of local economies. National chains or franchises with more than three locations, and establishments with more than two locations, are explicitly excluded to ensure the benefits are concentrated on local, independent businesses. The program's core priorities and focuses revolve around supporting businesses in increasing production, expanding operations, and generating more sales through the acquisition of new equipment. Eligible expenses are strictly defined as new equipment under warranty that will directly enable these growth objectives, such as stoves, ovens, lathes, and tooling machines. The emphasis is on equipment that is essential for the creation of more products, indicating a clear focus on manufacturing, culinary, and other production-oriented businesses. The expected outcomes of the Equip Harlingen grant include the retention and creation of jobs within business enterprises in the City of Harlingen, leading to further economic stimulation. Measurable results are tied to the financial assistance provided, which is 50% of incurred equipment costs, not exceeding $3,000. While not explicitly stated as metrics, the program's success would likely be measured by the number of businesses supported, the direct increase in production capacity reported by recipients, and ultimately, the impact on local employment figures and sales tax generation. The requirement for applicants to generate local sales taxes reinforces the program's aim to contribute to the city's overall economic health.

This program provides matching funds to Nebraska businesses collaborating with local colleges or universities on research and development projects that create or improve products and processes to boost revenue.

This grant provides funding and resources to early-stage ag-tech businesses in Kentucky to develop and market innovative solutions that enhance the agricultural industry.

The anticipated funding opportunity announcement (FOA) aims to support research and development projects under the Vehicle Technologies Office (VTO). The goals include the demonstration of smart charge management for electric vehicles, improvement of 12-volt lead-acid batteries for safety-critical electric vehicle applications, development of strategies to reduce the likelihood of cascading effects of electric vehicle fires, reduction in battery electrode, cell, and pack manufacturing costs, advancement of silicon-based anodes for lithium-ion batteries, and development of high-energy density conversion cathodes. The FOA emphasizes advancing equity, addressing the climate crisis, and achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. Eligible applicants are encouraged to include underrepresented groups and underserved communities in their project teams. The FOA will fund activities related to electric vehicle (EV) technologies, focusing on areas such as smart charge management, safety improvements in EV batteries, cost reduction in battery manufacturing, and the development of advanced battery materials. The Department of Energy aims to drive innovation in clean energy technologies, ensuring environmental justice and inclusion. Specific areas of interest include wide-scale demonstrations of smart charge management, enhancement of safety-critical 12-volt lead-acid batteries, reduction of cascading effects of battery fires, cost reduction in battery manufacturing, and the development of high-energy-density battery components.

This grant provides financial support for small businesses and nonprofit organizations in Hennepin County, Minnesota, to improve their recycling and organics recycling efforts by acquiring containers and compostable bags.

Farm Credit East recognizes the significance of farmers’ markets for both producers and consumers. In support of this vital marketing channel, we are offering Farmers' Market Grants of up to $500 to eligible applicants. These grants can be utilized to support participating farmers, enhance markets, improve marketing efforts, and implement programs aimed at aiding disadvantaged communities or enhancing access to fresh, local food. Please note that these grants are intended for public markets where multiple farms sell products, not for individual farm markets. Eligibility: Farmers' markets must be located within Farm Credit East’s eight-state territory: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, and Vermont. Preference will be given to first-time applicants and markets serving underserved communities with limited access to fresh, local food. Awards will be granted at the sole discretion of Farm Credit East. How to Apply/Application Requirements: The 2024 application cycle is currently open. Please submit the Farmers' Market Grant Application by 4:00 PM on May 31. Recipients will be notified by late June.

This program provides financial assistance to small business and commercial property owners in Jackson, Mississippi, to improve the appearance of their buildings and attract more customers and investors.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to nonprofit organizations that assist small businesses, particularly those with five or fewer employees, focusing on underserved communities across Washington.