CO - 100 Grant

The Rhode Island Lift Program is a strategic investment initiative designed to fuel the growth and successful capital raise of high-impact life sciences companies in Rhode Island. This competitive program provides a non-dilutive funding boost to companies that have finalized or recently closed a funding round. By offering this last infusion of capital, the program helps high-potential life sciences ventures scale their operations, drive innovation, and strengthen their impact on the state’s economy, industry growth, and patient outcomes. Through this support, Rhode Island continues to position itself as a leader in life sciences advancement and commercialization.

In its 13th year, the Fast Pitch Competition from the Women Founders Network is open to U.S. businesses started by women. To be eligible, your business cannot have raised more than $750,000. Selected participants pitch their businesses in person and winners receive $25,000 grants.

The Maryland Business Ready Sites Program (MBRSP) aims to accelerate investment by growing our inventory of shovel-ready sites across the state. By providing financial support to defray the costs of site characterization and site improvements and providing collaborative marketing support, this program will enable significant investment across Maryland from the leading industries of today and tomorrow. MBRSP was created by Governor Wes Moore on December 19, 2024 by Executive Order, which reimagined how the State of Maryland fosters economic growth. MEDCO is proud to implement this program in close coordination with state, county and municipal economic development officials across Maryland.

The Novato Tenant Improvement Grant Program provides Novato, California business owners and commercial property owners with matching reimbursement grants covering up to 50 percent of eligible costs for improvements to commercial buildings, with a focus on exterior façades, signage, and other publicly visible enhancements. Projects with a total cost of under $10,000 may be fully funded at the discretion of the Selection Review Panel. Administered by the City of Novato's Economic Development Department, the program was recently expanded from a downtown-only pilot to a citywide initiative. Grants are paired with guidance from the Marin Small Business Development Center (SBDC), which is designed to ensure that investments not only improve a property's appearance but also strengthen the underlying business. Eligible project expenses prioritize exterior improvements, including exterior façade upgrades, signage and lighting, windows and doors, transparency improvements, ADA accessibility upgrades, exterior painting and surface restoration, landscaping or frontage improvements, and historic preservation elements. Permit fees are also eligible for reimbursement. All proposed projects must comply with City of Novato design standards, and the City may require additional or changed work to align projects with these standards. Priority is given to projects that support the City's broader economic development goals, enhance the appearance of retail corridors or preserve historical features, add long-term value to the property, are ready and feasible to execute, and advance equity or meet an economic need for a small business owner or first-time entrepreneur (such as those from underserved corridors or facing financial barriers). To qualify, applicants must be a business owner or commercial property owner with an active business tenant located within Novato city limits, hold a current Novato business license, be proposing improvements to an active commercial property, have no pending code violations on the property, and not have received a Tenant Improvement Grant within the past two years. Non-property-owner applicants must provide a letter from the property owner acknowledging the applicant's participation and consenting to the improvements. All contractors hired must be licensed, and the grantee (or their contractor) must provide proof of minimum insurance requirements, including listing the City as an additional insured. Applicants are required to obtain all necessary permits before construction begins. The application process includes an initial eligibility check, a mandatory SBDC consultation to review the applicant's financials and business plan, submission of a detailed design proposal, review by a City Selection Review Panel, and final approval and reimbursement upon project completion and City inspection. Applications are accepted on a continuous basis until all program funds are allocated, and grants are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis.

The Invention Incentive Program is part of Rhode Island Commerce’s Innovation Initiatives Portfolio created to support local small businesses and innovators in Rhode Island, offering reimbursable grants up to $5,000 for eligible expenses incurred when filing patents.