NY Supplier Innovative Finance Program

The Seed Capital Matching Fund provides a source of matching grant funds to assist new, startup, and emerging small businesses located within Southwest Virginia’s e-Region and to attract new small businesses from outside the region to locate here. Since the program was established in 2017, more than 200 new business startups have been assisted in the region by the Seed Capital program and hundreds of full-time and part-time jobs have been created. The applicant must have dollar-for-dollar matching funds from one or more other sources in at least an amount sufficient to match funds requested from VCEDA. No applicant can be approved for more than $10,000 under this program.

The Sky's the Limit Entrepreneur Grants program awards monthly startup grants of up to $2,500 to entrepreneurs, with new funding opportunities opening each month. Administered by Sky's the Limit, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that supports entrepreneurs from underrepresented communities, the program is funded through partnerships with major corporate sponsors and operates as a recurring pitch-based opportunity: members sign up on the Sky's the Limit platform, submit a pitch describing their business, and are considered for that month's grant pool. In addition to grant funding, members of the platform gain access to one-on-one mentorship from a global network of business advisors, step-by-step guides for working through key business milestones, members-only workshops and events, and pitch competitions. The program is part of Sky's the Limit's broader mission to help early-stage entrepreneurs build meaningful relationships, access capital, and grow sustainable businesses.

The Virginia Global Business Internship Program reimburses companies up to $6,000 for a talented university student to perform a ten-week summer internship at a Virginia company. Students will further the company’s export capacity and make progress on its international business expansion strategies. Eligible companies have at least five employees and operate in Virginia.

The Spectrum Reach Pay It Forward Grant program provides small business owners with marketing resources and tools to expand their brand, connect with new audiences and achieve lasting success. Grant recipients will receive free TV and streaming advertising, an original 30-second commercial, support from local marketing experts in the community, on-demand educational resources and top-level industry insights and opportunities to network and learn at invitation-only events with peers.

Household Hazardous Waste Collection Grant - Provides reimbursement to registered sponsors of collection programs for household hazardous waste, electronics, and tires (but not tire pile cleanups). Reimbursement available for up to 50 percent of eligible costs. Eligible costs typically include collection, transportation and management of the wastes plus education programs. Eligible entities include households, political subdivisions, and small businesses.