Grants for Startups

The most common SBA loan program, providing government-backed financing up to $5 million for working capital, equipment, real estate, and business acquisition. Interest rates are capped based on loan size, with terms up to 25 years for real estate.

Provides small loans up to $50,000 through nonprofit intermediary lenders to help small businesses and certain nonprofit childcare centers start up and expand. Average microloan is about $13,000. Interest rates typically 8-13% with terms up to 6 years.

SBIR Phase I grants fund the exploration of technical merit and feasibility of an innovative idea. Coordinated by SBA and funded through 11 federal agencies. Recently reauthorized through September 2031 with updated award amounts up to $275,000.

NSF's America's Seed Fund invests in startups and small businesses with innovative, high-risk technology across nearly all technology areas and markets including AI, energy, medical devices, robotics, and semiconductors. Phase I awards up to $305,000.

NIH SBIR Phase I grants support small businesses in health-related R&D to establish feasibility and scientific merit. Award amounts vary by institute: typically $300,000-$400,000 for Phase I depending on the NIH institute.

DOE SBIR/STTR Phase I explores the feasibility of innovative energy-related concepts. Awards up to $200,000 over nine months across technical topics spanning energy production, energy use, fundamental energy sciences, environmental management, and defense nuclear nonproliferation.

Provides small businesses with access to expertise and capabilities at DOE national laboratories for clean energy technology development. Vouchers cover collaborative projects between businesses and lab researchers.

Competitively awarded grants to qualified small businesses for high-quality research related to agricultural science that could lead to significant public benefits. Supports innovation in food, agriculture, and rural development.

Through NASA's SBIR/STTR program, small businesses receive funding and non-monetary support to build, mature, and commercialize technologies advancing NASA missions. Transitioning to a Broad Agency Announcement format.

Catalyzes and fosters innovation ecosystems across California to advance critical technology development, foster collaboration across industry, academia, government, and nonprofits, and stimulate economic growth and job creation.

Fosters small business development and job creation by enhancing access to capital. Allocated more than $472 million with emphasis on helping traditionally underserved businesses and those affected by COVID-19.

Awards three $10,000 grants each month to women-owned businesses. Three of the 36 monthly winners receive an additional $50,000 year-end grant. Total annual awards of $510,000. No complex business plan required -- just a written explanation of your business.

Grant marketplace connecting women entrepreneurs to corporate-funded grant opportunities. One application automatically matches you to grants from partners like Visa, American Express, and others as they launch new programs.

Platform curating active grant opportunities from major corporate and nonprofit partners. The Allstate Main Street Grants program awards $20,000 to 63 participants through a 12-week accelerator. Multiple other grant programs available throughout the year.

Provides small business loans ranging from $5,000 to $250,000 along with educational resources, coaching, and support networks in both English and Spanish. Focuses on underserved entrepreneurs and minority-owned businesses.

Vermont APEX Accelerator provides free services to help Vermont businesses navigate government contracting, including one-on-one counseling, bid matching, and training. The program aims to strengthen the defense industrial base by accelerating innovation and establishing resilient supply chains.