Rochester Small Business Fund

The Indiana Farm Bureau Grant for Women-Owned Agricultural Small Businesses awards up to five $1,000 grants to women-owned agriculture-related small businesses in Indiana to fund training and professional development opportunities, technological enhancements, or upgraded equipment. Administered by Indiana Farm Bureau (INFB), a nonprofit organization that serves Indiana farmers, agribusinesses, and rural communities, the program was launched in celebration of the International Year of the Woman Farmer and aligns with INFB's priority to create incentives for rural entrepreneurship and agricultural diversification. To qualify, applicants must own and operate an agriculture-related small business located in Indiana. Grant recipients are recognized at Indiana Farm Bureau's Harvest Dinner, an event celebrating women in agriculture that includes a keynote address and networking with peers, industry leaders, and INFB partners.

Minnesota's main training grant option, the Partnership program, focuses on providing training for both new and existing employees of participating businesses throughout the state. Minnesota participating businesses must partner with an accredited Minnesota educational institution. Grants of up to $400,000 are awarded to the educational institution to develop and deliver custom training specific to business needs. A cash or in-kind contribution from the participating business must match the grant funds on at least a one-to-one basis. Funds may be used for training-related costs such as curriculum development, instruction, training materials and supplies, training equipment, and instructor travel. Requests for wage subsidies and tuition reimbursement are not eligible. However, wages paid to employees during training may be counted towards the required matching contribution.

The Nebraska Innovation Fund (NIF) Prototype Grant is a grant-matching program that provides up to $150,000 to support early-stage product development. Eligible businesses include Nebraska-based companies engaged in non-retail industries with fewer than 500 employees. Grant winners can use the funds for costs related to developing products, such as wages, prototype materials, and equipment.

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 Denver Business Impact Opportunity (BIO) Fund provides Denver small businesses with grants of up to $15,000 plus technical assistance to help them remain operational during disruption from specified city-funded construction projects. Administered by Denver Economic Development & Opportunity (DEDO), the program offers both direct grant funding and one-on-one business support to help impacted businesses navigate revenue loss, supply chain disruptions, and other operational challenges caused by major infrastructure work in their corridor. The BIO Fund is geographically targeted, with each funding round focused on businesses located within specific construction-impacted areas of the city (recent rounds have supported businesses along the East Colfax Bus Rapid Transit and West Colfax Pedestrian Crossing & Transit Improvements project corridors). Eligibility criteria typically include operating a brick-and-mortar small business within the designated impact zone, demonstrating revenue loss or operational impacts tied to the construction work, and meeting standard licensing and tax compliance requirements. The program is one of only a handful of municipal initiatives nationwide that provides direct grant assistance to businesses affected by city-funded construction.