Bloomington SEEL Grant

The DC Commercial Property Acquisition Fund (CPAF) provides down payment assistance grants of up to $300,000 (or 25% of the sale price, whichever is less) to DC-based businesses looking to acquire commercial property in the District. Funded by the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development (DMPED) in partnership with the Council of the District of Columbia and administered by City First Enterprises, the program is designed to help businesses maintain and expand their operations by transitioning into owned commercial space rather than continuing to lease. Recipients must agree to own and occupy the property for at least seven years, ensuring long-term investment in the District's commercial corridors. The fund represents a strategic $1.5 million investment to support business stability and physical growth across DC.

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.

The Downtown St. Louis Pop-Up Retail Program provides aspiring and existing business owners with grants of up to $15,000 to activate short-term pop-up retail shops in vacant storefronts in the Downtown and Downtown West neighborhoods of St. Louis. Administered by Greater St. Louis, Inc. with support from the St. Louis Development Corporation, the program is designed to reduce barriers to entry for business owners while increasing street vibrancy, safety, and economic health through active storefronts, with the broader goal of fostering business development and potential permanent tenancy in these locations. The grant covers up to six months of expenses associated with the pop-up activation, including monthly rent, utilities, labor, maintenance of the space during occupancy, and general liability insurance. Eligible applicants include prospective tenants considering opening a pop-up location in Downtown or Downtown West, as well as current tenants in those neighborhoods considering opening a second location as a pop-up. All applicants must have the consent of their current or prospective landlord, and Greater St. Louis, Inc. may help identify a suitable space and willing property owner for applicants who have not yet secured one. Successful applicants are expected to propose concepts that appeal to a diverse customer base, complement surrounding businesses, and provide memorable experiences for customers and passersby.

Inspired by Founders First CEO, Kim Folsom’s brother, U.S. Navy Veteran Stephen L. Tadlock, the $25,000 fund will make investments of $1,000 each to 25 veterans who are running employer-based small businesses across the country.

The Rural Jump-Start Program is a collaborative effort by the state, local governments, Institutes of Higher Education (IHE), and economic development organizations (EDO) to incentivize new businesses to start in or move to rural, economically distressed counties in Colorado, which are referred to as Rural Jump-Start zones, and hire new employees. Rural Jump-Start began in 2016 as a tax incentive program for businesses located in a Rural Jump-Start zone, and in 2021 a grant program was created. If you are a business interested in participating in this program, please review all program qualifications, discussed in greater detail under the Business Eligibility section below, before applying.