Division of Small Business- EDGE Grant

The Delaware Division of Small Business offers the EDGE Grant to support small businesses in Delaware, providing a competitive funding opportunity with a $3 to $1 match. Eligible entities include STEM and Entrepreneur Class businesses, with funding pools of $400,000 and $750,000 respectively. Grants aim to enhance business viability through various allowable expenses. Applications are accepted biannually, fostering growth and sustainability for qualifying businesses.

DE Small Business EDGE Grant
The EDGE Grant program gives qualified small businesses in Delaware an opportunity to level the playing field compared to larger businesses, by offering access to significant capital. The Division of Small Business (DSB) awards EDGE Grants through a competitive selection and pitch process. The funds are provided as a $3 (state) to $1 (business) match. Ten or fewer businesses in the Entrepreneur (general business) category will receive funding from a pot of $400,000, and eight or fewer businesses in the STEM category will receive funding from a $750,000 pot. Applications are accepted two times a year, once in the spring and once in the fall.
More Money
Entrepreneur track: Up to $400K total available.STEM track: Up to $750K total available.The funds are provided as a $3 (state) to $1 (business) match.

Eligibility

STEM (Science/technology/engineering/math)-based companies and Entrepreneur Class (non-STEM) businesses are eligible for funding.Qualified applications must:
Be majority located in DelawareBe in business for less than 7 yearsHave 15 or fewer full-time employeesHave less than $700K in assetsHave a 3:1 matchA non-Delaware company may apply on the condition that it would relocate at least 51% of its business (employees and real property) to Delaware if awarded a grant. That relocation would need to take place before any funds would be disbursed. If you have an online only business, you (if you are the only employee) or at least 51% of your employees must be physically working in Delaware. Simply registering your online company in Delaware without a physical presence here does not count. In very rare circumstances, a business may be eligible for an EDGE Grant if the project involved is significantly different from the one that received previous funds. Contact a Regional Business Manager to talk about your specific situation.Eligible Expenses:Grant funding must be used to expand a business’s viability and sustainability, specifically:Market analysis assistanceAdvertising assistanceBuilding infrastructureEssential equipmentWebsite designRent for lab space

Ineligibility

The grants are primarily intended to assist people building private, for-profit companies. Thus 501(c)(3)s are not eligible.  A company is not eligible for an EDGE Grant if it has been awarded any money through the Delaware Strategic Fund. This does not include money from DTIP (SBIR/STTR).Owners can only win EDGE once, even if they form a different business from the one they won with. If a former co-owner won EDGE, they too are disqualified from receiving a grant under their own company.INELIGIBLE EXPENSE EXAMPLES: Employee wages (Unless wages result in a durable competitive advantage)Owners SalaryPermitsGovernment FeesTaxes Improvements to personal property