Brooklyn Pitch Competition

The Start.Pivot.Grow. Micro Grant provides $2,500 in non-dilutive funding to small businesses for essential expenses like rent, inventory, or marketing. Open to U.S.-based, for-profit companies with at least two years of operation, eligible applicants must generate $50,000+ annually and have no more than two employees, including the owner. Winners will also receive a digital business growth planner and a Prep My Loan Planner to support their development. Grants are awarded quarterly, with applications accepted on a rolling basis.

The Harford County Workforce Technical Training Grant (WFTTG) provides Harford County, Maryland employers with reimbursement grants of up to $2,000 per trained employee and up to $10,000 per business annually to help fund technical and apprenticeship training for their workforce. Administered by the Harford County Department of Community and Economic Development, the program is a competitive matching investment grant designed to help local employers become more productive and competitive by accelerating the delivery of technical training to existing full-time, permanent employees. Grant funds are awarded to help employers strengthen their teams' technical skills, improve productivity, and support long-term business growth, and are open to businesses of any industry. Eligible uses of funds include technical training and certifications that contribute to expanding or improving production capabilities, along with formal apprenticeships. Recent recipients have used grant funds to support electrical training, HVAC training, welding qualifications, advanced computer training, and project management training. Grants are awarded twice per year through two competitive funding rounds, with applications reviewed by county staff and awards issued as reimbursements after the training is completed and paid for by the business.

The Downtown Houston+ Property Improvement Grants offer property owners, businesses, and developers in Downtown Houston multiple funding opportunities to revitalize buildings, activate storefronts, and enhance street-level vibrancy. Administered by Downtown Houston+ in partnership with the Houston Downtown Management District and the Downtown Redevelopment Authority, the program currently includes four grant pathways tailored to different types of improvements: the Thrive Storefront Grant Program, which offers 1:2 matching grants of up to $50,000 to fund ground-level storefront improvements that increase retail activity and street-level vibrancy; the Facade Improvement Grant, which provides up to $250,000 to help property owners and tenants within the TIRZ #3 boundaries revitalize building facades; the Alfresco Grant, which provides up to $10,000 for non-permanent outdoor furnishings such as seating, umbrellas, and planters, with an additional $5,000 available for permanent fixtures like awnings and lighting; and the Fresh Start Market Grant, which works with existing grocery-offering businesses to enhance fresh food offerings, staff training, and physical improvements to their space. All grant applications are evaluated against the Downtown Houston+ Design Standards, and awards are subject to available budget and organizational priorities.

Underrepresented communities continue to fuel entrepreneurship nationwide, with historically excluded founders driving innovation and economic growth. Despite this momentum, systemic barriers still prevent many from accessing the funding they need to scale. That is why we are excited to announce the return of the Dream Makers Founder Grant in 2025! This $1 million grant fund, established by Nancy Twine, is dedicated to supporting underrepresented entrepreneurs and elevating the talents and innovations of historically excluded founders. As part of this multi-year commitment, the Pledge will award $125,000 annually, distributing five $25,000 grants each year to outstanding business owners.

The Southern Smoke Foundation's Emergency Relief Program provides emergency funding to the owners and employees of restaurants and bars facing unforeseen circumstances that cannot be covered by insurance. To qualify, you must be experiencing an unforeseen crisis and currently be employed within the food and beverage industry, working at least 30 hours per week for a minimum of six months.