Brooklyn Pitch Competition

Anyone who owns a farmers market in West Virginia can benefit from these grants of $5000. The money can be used towards either infrastructure, such as coolers, display cases, structures, etc., or marketing materials to promote your market. Besides traditional farmers’ markets, the grant is also open to roadside stands, consignment, on-farm stands, mobile markets, and online sellers.

The Innovate Alabama Supplemental Grant Program provides additional resources for small businesses whose proven business models and technologies are helping accelerate innovation in the state. Small businesses who have an active Phase I or Phase II Federal Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) or Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) grant are eligible for non-dilutive funding from the Innovate Alabama Supplemental Grant Program. This unique grant program provides support for recipients who do not need to exchange shares of their company for the grant. These businesses have proven through scientific review that their technologies are viable, valuable and scalable.

The Maryland Technology Internship Program (MTIP) helps Maryland retain top tech talent by increasing the number of paid technical internships offered in the state. Administered by UMBC and funded by the State of Maryland, the program offers financial assistance to small businesses, start-ups, non-profits and state and local agencies, to hire more interns. The Maryland Technology Internship Program can reimburse employers for up to 50% of an intern’s wage, up to $5,500 annually per intern ($3,000 for the first semester and $2,500 for subsequent semester).

LIFT was created as a way of utilizing Rutland's enhanced solar tax revenue to support future business investment and job creation. The City holds half of all tax revenue generated from private solar development to fund this incentive program. The LIFT program offers three different tiers: the $10,000 reimbursable grant for fixed infrastructure/renovations/upgrades, $5,000 grant and the HFCU up to $50,000 secured loan. The $10,000 LIFT reimbursable grant is for fixed infrastructure renovations or upgrades to buildings within the City. It covers costs up to $10,000, or 50% of the renovation costs, whichever is less. There are also opportunities for $5,000 grants which may be used for more general costs for a City business. A Revolving Loan Fund program, jointly funded and administered by Heritage Federal Credit Union, is available with secured loans of up to $50,000 available to qualifying businesses. The use of this funding is flexible and interest rates on the loans are below market rate.

The Seattle Tenant Improvement Program provides Seattle small businesses with forgivable loans of up to $50,000 to fund exterior signage upgrades or commercial equipment purchases. Administered by the Seattle Office of Economic Development (OED) in partnership with Grow America, the program offers two award packages: a Signage Package of up to $15,000 for the purchase of new exterior signage, and an Equipment Package of up to $50,000 for commercial equipment purchases. Awards are issued as 0% interest forgivable loans that convert to grants after the business remains in operation for one year following the final draw and meets its public benefit commitment, effectively functioning as a grant for qualifying businesses. To be eligible, businesses must be for-profit and independently owned (no franchises or chains), located within Seattle city limits, have been operating for at least two years, employ fewer than 50 full-time equivalent employees, operate no more than two locations, generate annual gross revenue below $2 million, and demonstrate a clear public benefit to the community such as job creation, supporting events, or donating meals. Applicants must also have a signed commercial lease with at least three years remaining. Applications are evaluated on equity, viability, project readiness, and community impact, with priority given to projects serving high-displacement-risk neighborhoods and to businesses owned by Black, Indigenous, people of color, or women. Nonprofits, home-based businesses, and adult entertainment businesses are not eligible.