Grants for Startups

Startup grants offer non-dilutive funding — capital without giving up equity or taking on debt. Government programs like SBIR/STTR provide significant R&D funding, while foundations and innovation competitions target early-stage companies in specific sectors. For founders who want to grow without dilution, grants are a powerful funding tool.

545 grants
Foundation
Updated daily
GO-EDC FOUNDATION INC · Rolling / Open Foundation

Greater Oshkosh Capital Catalyst Fund Purpose: Helps support startup and emerging businesses growth in the greater Oshkosh area. Award Range: Program awards for any single business enterprise range…

GREATER OSHKOSH ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT · Rolling / Open Foundation

Greater Oshkosh Capital Catalyst Fund Overview: The Greater Oshkosh Capital Catalyst Fund helps support startup and emerging businesses growth in the greater Oshkosh area. Award Amount: Program…

THRIVE NEW ORLEANS · Rolling / Open · Annual Foundation

Green Business Academy Overview: A 12-week curriculum offered by Thrive New Orleans designed for new and existing businesses that want to expand opportunities in the green infrastructure industry.…

CENTER ON RURAL INNOVATION INC · Rolling / Open Foundation

Green Mountain Accelerator Fund Status: Listed as investment vehicle but minimal details provided Overview: Referenced on CORI's website under "Rural startup investment" section alongside CORI…

GROUNDSWELL CAPITAL · Rolling / Open · Annual Foundation

Groundswell Seed Fund Status: Active as part of Transform Tucson: Changemakers Grant Program Geographic Scope: Tucson, Arizona Focus Areas: Supporting new startup ventures and aspiring entrepreneurs…

$1,000,000
ONTARIO COUNTY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORP · July 31, 2026 · Annual Foundation

Grow-NY Description: A business competition focused on growing an enduring food and agriculture innovation cluster in the Grow-NY region. Geographic Scope: Grow-NY region; accepts applications from…

GREATER ROCHESTER ENTERPRISE · Rolling / Open · Annual Foundation

Grow-NY Food and Agriculture Business Competition Overview: An unprecedented business competition focusing on enhancing the emerging food and agriculture innovation cluster in Central New York, the…

Sprocket Inc · Rolling / Open · Annual Foundation

GroWest Coalition - KY Innovation Funding Organization: Sprocket, Inc. (Regional Lead), in partnership with: - Murray State University Center for Computer and Information Technology - The Technology…

$100,000 - $200,000
ENTREPRENEUR STARTUP BUSINESS · Rolling / Open Foundation

Growth Grants Funder: Arch Grants Geographic Scope: St. Louis, Missouri Award Type: Non-dilutive grants Overview Arch Grants offers Growth Grants to support the expansion and acceleration of startup…

Varies by loan; GIF loan approvals ranged from $372,000 to $1,015,000 in recent years
GREATER FARGO MOORHEAD ECONOMIC · Rolling / Open · Rolling (Quarterly) Foundation

Growth Initiative Fund (GIF) Overview: The Growth Initiative Fund is a loan program administered by the Greater Fargo Moorhead Economic Development Corporation that supports primary-sector business…

EDUCATION FORWARD ARIZONA · Rolling / Open Foundation

Guarantee Your Future with Freeport Program Grant Status: ACTIVE Funder: Education Forward Arizona Last Updated: March 16, 2026 Summary Education Forward Arizona, in partnership with…

HEDCO INC · Rolling / Open Foundation

Hartford International Micro-Grant Program Award Amount: Up to $10,000 Program Type: Grants (non-repayable, not loans) Purpose: To help minority-owned small businesses grow through funding for…

$100,000 grand prize
WAYNE STATE UNIVERSITY RESEARCH AND · Rolling / Open Foundation

Hatch Detroit Overview: A competition program offering exposure and funding for entrepreneurs to dream big and compete for a grand prize. Award Amount: $100,000 grand prize Geographic Scope: Detroit,…

Headstream by Second Muse · Rolling / Open Foundation

Headstream Accelerator Cohort VI Grant Status: ACTIVE Funder: Headstream by Second Muse Amount: US $30,000 Last Updated: March 17, 2026 Summary Overview Headstream Accelerator 2026 Accelerator…

UNITED WAY OF METROPOLITAN DALLAS INC · Rolling / Open · One-time Foundation

Health Innovation Technology Challenge Funder: United Way of Metropolitan Dallas (presented by AT&T) Total Prize Funding: $1,000,000 Geographic Scope: North Texas region Program Focus: Healthcare…

UNITED WAY FOUNDATION OF METROPOLITAN · Rolling / Open · One-time Foundation

Health Innovation Technology Challenge Funder: United Way of Metropolitan Dallas, presented by AT&T Total Prize Funding: $1,000,000 Award Structure: - Entrepreneurial Venture Award winners: $200,000…

Free studio space for 18 months
MIDTOWN BUSINESS ASSOCIATION INC · Rolling / Open · Annual Foundation

Heart of the Arts Studio Residency Program Overview: The Studio Residency program partners with commercial property owners to reposition underutilized space as artist workspace. Selected artists are…

EVERGREEN CLIMATE INNOVATIONS · Rolling / Open Foundation

Heartland Climate Tech Partnership Funder: Evergreen Climate Innovations and partner organizations Status: Active Overview: Evergreen partners with other leading innovation ecosystem organizations to…

Boundless Futures Foundation · Rolling / Open Foundation

Overview _NOTE: In 2025, the Her Village Grant Program will evolve to meet our goal of making deep impact alongside like-minded organizations. Please stay tuned for further information about Her…

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the SBIR program?
The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program is the largest source of early-stage technology funding in the US. Eleven federal agencies award over $4 billion annually to small businesses for R&D. Phase I grants typically provide $50K-$275K for feasibility studies, with Phase II awards up to $1M+ for full development.
Can tech startups get grants?
Yes. Beyond SBIR/STTR, tech startups can access NSF I-Corps grants, DOE ARPA-E funding, DARPA programs, state innovation funds, and private foundation grants. Many accelerators and pitch competitions also provide grant-style non-dilutive funding.
How long does it take to get a startup grant?
Timelines vary significantly. State grants may fund within 1-3 months. SBIR Phase I typically takes 6-9 months from submission to award. Foundation grants average 3-6 months. Plan to have 6-12 months of runway while waiting for grant funding to come through.

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