EmpowHer

The Women’s Business Development Council is offering grants of up to $2,500 to qualified start-up businesses The WBDC Launch Pad Grant Program offers newly established businesses the opportunity to receive a $2,500 grant to put toward start-up costs. The grant funds cannot be used towards payroll/to pay yourself, real estate improvements (e.g. construction costs), reimbursement for past purchases or debt repayment.

The EDGE Grant Competition is the Division’s flagship funding program aimed at helping young Delaware small businesses grow and scale. The program awards grant funds through a highly competitive selection process and pitch competition. Ten or fewer businesses in the Entrepreneur (general business) category will receive funding from a pot of $400,000, and eight or fewer businesses in the STEM category will receive funding from a $750,000 pot.

Innovation Grants can fund projects that address local workforce development needs. Projects may provide skills training to individuals and/or assist individuals with connecting to careers. Applications are reviewed quarterly by the WDC Grant Review Committee.

If your Florida startup is a high-tech company, you might be eligible for a Florida High Tech Corridor grant. These grants are designed for research and development projects and partner businesses with researchers at the University of Central Florida and the University of South Florida. Opportunities are available in 23 Florida counties. Eligible businesses work with university researchers to create a project plan and budget, as well as to submit the application. Applications are accepted throughout the year. If approved, funds of up to $150,000 are distributed directly to the university research team.

The Maryland Energy Administration Commercial Solar Grant Program ("CSGP", "the Program") will provide grants for solar PV systems installed at Maryland businesses, nonprofits, and other organizations, that will be owned by or directly benefit (1) low-to-moderate income communities located in a census tract with an average median income at or below 80% of the average median income for the State, or (2) overburdened or underserved communities, as defined by §1-701 of the Environment Article, Annotated Code of Maryland. These solar PV systems can help reduce organizational operational costs and improve their sustainability, which can help them better serve the communities that surround them. Solar PV systems are excellent solutions for organizations that seek to free up capital for other expenses and projects, expand operations and offerings sustainably, and help Maryland meet its clean energy and greenhouse gas reduction goals. This is especially important for Maryland businesses and other organizations that have historically been disadvantaged, overburdened, and underserved.