Black Ambition Prize

Managed by the Academic Innovations Team, the objective of the Federal Matching Grant is further federal funds received by small businesses in South Carolina to advance translational research in support of one or more critical milestones towards commercialization. Preference given to SBIR/STTR awardees with initial datasets who identify gaps in commercialization activities that would help develop a compelling proposal for follow on funding. Other Federal matches will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Key milestones include developing the technology past the minimum viable product (MVP) and demonstrating product-market fit, in the DEVELOP stage of startup development. In the ACCELERATE stage of startup development, key milestones include enabling product execution through testing and demonstrations. Federal Matching Grants can match funds up to 50% of a qualifying federal award, not to exceed $50,000.

KY Innovation offers comprehensive programs to help companies apply for, win and match federal Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) grants and contracts. The SBIR/STTR programs are known as America's Seed Fund for good reason. They provide a vital source of non-dilutive capital in the form of federal grants and contracts for promising technologies, while allowing innovators to maintain intellectual property and positioning them well to receive private follow on funding. KY Innovation can be a key partner in helping you compete. Innovators that receive SBIR or STTR awards can benefit from additional funding to bridge the gap between Phase I and Phase II, as well as to speed up the commercialization process. The Kentucky SBIR/STTR Matching Funds Award Program is a non-dilutive, reimbursable grant, awarded on a competitive basis. The grant will match up to $100,000 for a Phase I project, and up to $150,000 for a phase two project. Applicants must be recipients of a SBIR/STTR award, a for-profit company, and based in, or willing to re-locate to, Kentucky.

Purpose: RUST grants may be used to finance up to 100 percent of the costs necessary to upgrade, remove, or replace UST project tanks to comply with the requirements of Health and Safety Code sections 25284.1, 25292.05, 25292.4, 25292.5, or 41954. Description: Replacing, Removing, or Upgrading Underground Storage Tanks (RUST) grants are available to assist small business underground storage tank (UST) owners and operators in financing up to 100 percent of the costs necessary to upgrade, remove, or replace project tanks to comply with the requirements of Health and Safety Code section 25284.1, 25292.05, 25292.4, 25292.5, or 41954. Please note that removal-only projects are now eligible for RUST grants. Grants are available for between $3,000 and $70,000 to eligible UST owners/operators. An additional $140,000 in RUST grant moneys above the $70,000 maximum is available for remote public fueling stations for the purpose of removing and replacing a single-walled UST.

The Small Business Grant is designed to help Columbia, MO businesses grow, innovate, and improve operations. This competitive grant prioritizes businesses owned by residents of economically disadvantaged areas in Columbia and supports long-term community impact. Grant Awards: 6 grants of $5,000 2 grants of $10,000

Grant funding is now available for woman- and minority-owned businesses with five or fewer employees located in the City of Utica. A total of $150,000 from the City’s 2025-2026 federal Community Development Block Grant funds will support this program. Grants will range from $5,000 to $15,000 and can be used for capital assets like machinery, equipment inventory, working capital or soft costs.