While startup cash is becoming harder and harder to come by and VC deals continue to plummet, entrepreneurs do have several options for grant funding and other equity-free forms of startup capital to help grow their businesses.
Below is a list of annual grant programs founders can apply for today, or bookmark to catch the next open application cycle.
Visa Everywhere Initiative: Gives startups the chance at a combined $70,000 at the TechCrunch Disrupt event in September. In its global competition, the North American region winner will face off against startups across the world for a chance to win $50,000 as the overall winner, $10,000 if crowned audience favorite and $10,000 for the Visa Direct winner.
North America deadline: June 26
Venmo Small Business Grant: The online payment firm offers an annual Venmo Small Business Grant, where startups can receive $10,000. Winners also get professional consulting services and promotion on the Venmo and PayPal websites and social profiles.
Deadline: Applications yet to open
WomensNet’s Grants: Offers several grants to small businesses, including its monthly $10,000 Amber Grant. It also offers a quarterly Startup Grant to businesses in the earliest stages with less than $10,000 in revenue.
Deadline: Amber grants open monthly, Startup Grants are quarterly
U.S. Chamber of Commerce's Top Small Business Awards: Offers a $25,000 cash prize to startups via its America's Top Small Business Awards. Companies must have fewer than 250 employees or gross revenues of less than $20 million.
Deadline: July 7
LegalZoom's Fast Break for Small Business: In partnership with the NBA, WNBA and NBA G League, LegalZoom provides grants to startups through its Fast Break for Small Business initiative. It provides companies with $10,000 grants and up to $500 worth of LegalZoom products and services.
Deadline: Applications open during the 2023 WNBA season (opened May 11)
FedEx Small Business Grant Contest: Since 2012, FedEx has been a contest since 2012 where startups can win $30,000. It's open to companies with fewer than 99 employees and have a shipping need for their business.
Deadline: 2024 applications yet to open
NSF America's Seed Fund: The National Science Foundation, through its America’s Seed Fund (also known as the NSF SBIR/STTR program), offers startups up to $2 million in non-equity seed funding. The capital is intended for high-tech startups to fund early R&D work.
Deadline: Rolling
SoGal's Black Founder Startup Grant: The SoGal Foundation, in partnership with Winky Lux, bluemercury, twelveNYC, Twilio and Walmart.org’s Center for Racial Equity, gives $10,000 and $5,000 cash grants to select Black women or nonbinary entrepreneurs.
Deadline: Rolling
Google's Founders Funds: Provides equity-free cash awards to startups led by Black and Latino founders. It operates a Black Founders Fund and a Latino Founders fund to provide capital to help grow their businesses.
Deadline: Applications yet to open
Fresh Start Business Grant: Provided by Incfile.com LLC, this program helps support entrepreneurs with a $2,500 grant to put toward startup, while also receiving free business formation services from Incfile.
Deadlines: March 31, June 30, and Sept. 30
Patagonia Corporate Grant Program: Offers $10,000 to $20,000 to nonprofit startups that have a mission to protect the environment.
Deadline: Rolling
Verizon Small Business Digital Ready Program: In partnership with LISC and Next Street, the telecommunications giant is giving $10,000 in grant funding to help businesses compete in today's digital environment.
Deadline: Closed May 12 for 2023
Women Founders Network Fast Pitch Competition: Offers both tech and non-tech startups $55,000 in cash grants through its pitch competition, along with more than $100,000 in professional services.
Deadline: May 31
