SBIR/STTR Match Program

Managed by the Academic Innovations Team, the objective of the Federal Matching Grant is further federal funds received by small businesses in South Carolina to advance translational research in support of one or more critical milestones towards commercialization. Preference given to SBIR/STTR awardees with initial datasets who identify gaps in commercialization activities that would help develop a compelling proposal for follow on funding. Other Federal matches will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Key milestones include developing the technology past the minimum viable product (MVP) and demonstrating product-market fit, in the DEVELOP stage of startup development. In the ACCELERATE stage of startup development, key milestones include enabling product execution through testing and demonstrations. Federal Matching Grants can match funds up to 50% of a qualifying federal award, not to exceed $50,000.

Work Immersion is an internship support program available to Rhode Island employers. It is designed to boost the employment prospects of new and returning workers (i.e., eligible students and unemployed or underemployed adults) through meaningful paid work experiences. It provides a 50% or 75% reimbursement for wages paid to eligible participants. All Rhode Island employers who meet the eligibility requirements outlined in the program guide may apply.

SelectFlorida offers a variety of trade grants through the Florida Export Diversification & Expansion program to help qualified companies start exporting for the first time or diversify into new overseas markets. Grants are offered for marketing plans, website localization, market development and trade shows.

The IWT program is a matching grant program that offers financial reimbursement to manufacturing companies for providing up-skill training to their employees. The goals are: - To support advanced manufacturing and innovative companies in their efforts to train incumbent workers in the appropriate skills to meet current and emerging market needs. - To bring technological innovation to the market and help manufacturing companies leap ahead in productivity and efficiency by enhancing the skills of their current workforce. - To grow sales revenue and increase profitability. The program will reimburse up to $50,000 of training costs annually. Companies may submit multiple reimbursement applications so long as the aggregate amount does not exceed $50,000 in any given calendar year. There is no minimum grant amount that will be awarded to qualified applicants. The maximum amount of lifetime assistance provided to any one company by this program is limited to $100,000. In order for a company to apply for reimbursement, they must meet all of eligibility criteria for the program. As an example, an applicant who can evidence having spent a total of $30,000 in training costs over the course of one year will be eligible for a potential grant of $15,000 ($15,000 grant + $15,000 company match).

The Asheville Recovers Together Grant provides Asheville, North Carolina small businesses impacted by Tropical Storm Helene with reimbursement grants of $5,000 to $75,000 to support recovery and ongoing operations. Funded by the City of Asheville and jointly administered by ArtsAVL, Eagle Market Streets Development Corporation, and Mountain BizWorks in collaboration with community partners across the city, the program is designed to help local businesses stabilize, recover, and grow following the storm's economic impact. Grant funds may be used for payroll, rent and utilities, inventory, supplies and equipment, marketing, and other eligible business operating expenses, and may also support efforts to rehire staff, replace lost inventory, add jobs, or launch new products and services. Eligible applicants must have a primary location within Asheville city limits, have been operating before September 27, 2024, have experienced financial losses due to Hurricane Helene that were not fully covered by insurance or other funding, have owners who are legal U.S. residents, have generated at least $20,000 in revenue in one of the last three years, and be currently open or have a plan to reopen. Businesses must also be in good standing with no active bankruptcies, tax liens, or federal funding bans. Nonprofits, cannabis-related operations, passive real estate or investment holdings, political or lobbying organizations, adult entertainment businesses, corporate-owned national franchises or chains, and residential short-term rentals are not eligible. Awards are issued as reimbursements, requiring applicants to pay eligible expenses upfront and then submit receipts or proof of payment for review and approval.