Sales Tax Exclusion (STE) Program

The South Carolina Research Authority (SCRA) Member Companies may apply for a variety of non-dilutive grants, each with its own eligibility and review criteria. The objective of a Small Business Demonstration Grant is to provide a valuable solution to a corporate partner and a significant growth opportunity for a small business by developing a new product, distribution channel, customer, market, etc. The grant is intended to offer a bridge for the small business to its next inflection point in development, while also supporting a monetary and/or in-kind match by a corporate partner into a project with the small business. Demonstration Grants are limited typically to $50,000 with rare exceptions.

The Advanced Industries Export Grant helps Colorado-based advanced industries technology businesses who want to export or are currently exporting. This grant is for small- and medium-sized businesses. It reimburses for international business development and marketing costs. Businesses can apply for up to $15,000 and up to 50% of the approved expenses.

This program provides matching grants for research and development activities in partnership with a Nebraska college or university. Eligible businesses include for-profit companies that have physical operations in Nebraska. Phase I awards go up to $100,000, while Phase II awards are capped at $400,000. Funding can be used to commercialize new projects, modify existing products for better marketability, and improve processes to create revenue streams for Nebraska businesses.

The Seattle Small Business Capital Access Program (CAP) pays down up to $30,000 (or 20% of the loan principal, whichever is less) on qualifying small business loans for Seattle-based businesses. Administered by the Seattle Office of Economic Development (OED), the program is designed to lower the cost of borrowing for small businesses, particularly those that have historically lacked equitable access to financial services. CAP is not a standalone grant application and businesses do not apply directly. Instead, eligibility is evaluated by a participating community lender at the time of loan approval, and qualifying borrowers receive the principal paydown automatically as part of their financing. Because of this, the most important step for interested business owners is knowing to work with one of CAP's participating community lenders when seeking a small business loan; loans from non-participating lenders are not eligible. Participating lenders include Business Impact NW, Rainier Valley Community Development Fund, Seattle Credit Union, MoFi, Grow America Community Impact Loan Fund, Pursuit, Evergreen Business Capital and Community Finance, and Denkyem Co-Op. Paydowns are issued in two installments — one after the borrower makes 12 on-time monthly payments, and a second after 24 on-time monthly payments — and are applied directly to the loan account rather than disbursed to the borrower, effectively reducing the principal owed. To be eligible, businesses must be for-profit, independently owned, located within Seattle city limits, in operation for at least 12 months, have an active City of Seattle Business License, employ no more than 50 full-time equivalent employees, generate annual gross revenue of $2 million or less, and be current on loan payments at the time of the paydown award.

This grant program, which Hidden Star, a nonprofit organization, presents, is open to women and minority small-business owners. Winners can currently receive a $3,500 grant, with one grant issued every quarter.