The Breakthrough Program

The Warrior Rising Business Showers awards non-dilutive grants ranging from $2,000 to $150,000 to veteran, military spouse, and immediate family entrepreneurs through invitation-only pitch competitions held in cities across the country (past events have taken place in Cedar Rapids, Washington D.C., and Salt Lake City). Administered by Warrior Rising, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to supporting veteran entrepreneurship, Business Showers are the organization's flagship pitch events where top finalists compete for real capital with no equity requirements or other strings attached. Eligibility to compete is earned by completing Warrior University, Warrior Rising's advanced entrepreneurship education cohort for veteran and military spouse founders with early-stage startups. Warrior University is a fully virtual program offered quarterly over two evenings, hosted in partnership with flagship educational institutions, and delivers expert-led instruction in strategy, business model design, customer discovery, competitive analysis, and go-to-market planning. Graduates who earn a certificate of completion may then apply to compete at a Business Shower, with only the most competitive graduates selected. Selected finalists receive covered flights and hotel accommodations, individualized pitch coaching leading up to the event, live access to investors and decision-makers, and long-term partner introductions. Together, Warrior University and Business Showers form a pathway that combines advanced training with the opportunity to earn meaningful startup funding.

The Program supports the growth of very small meat and poultry processors in the Commonwealth. It does this by offering grants. The grants cover costs associated with opening a new processing operation or the expansion of a current operation. The grants can also be used to cover the costs of getting a USDA Food Safety Inspection Service (FSIS) inspection. Grants are limited to no more than $100,000 per applicant.

The Joe DeCecco Memorial Foundation Small Business Improvement Grant is designed to support small businesses in the Village of Kenmore by helping offset the cost of physical improvements that strengthen business operations, enhance commercial corridors, and contribute to the overall vitality of the community. Grants are intended to encourage reinvestment in local businesses and promote long-term economic sustainability. The program will award up to $10,000 to one eligible small business during the 2026 grant cycle, helping offset the cost of physical improvements that enhance operations, improve storefronts, and contribute to long-term economic sustainability.

Business Training Grants support Wyoming businesses seeking to enhance employee skills or address a specific skill deficiency required for their current job. Grant funds must not replace existing funds already earmarked for training purposes, and the skills to be acquired must better position the business to remain competitive in its industry marketplace. Funding limits are as follows: $2,000 per trainee, $3,000 per trainee for select industries, $75,000 per business, with all totals being per fiscal year.

NAACP, in conjunction with Medium Rare and The Shark Group, has launched applications for the fourth annual NAACP Powershift Entrepreneur Grant in celebration of Black Entrepreneurs Day. The NAACP Powershift Entrepreneur Grant aims to empower Black entrepreneurs and businesses through funding and resources and has, in previous years, contributed largely to the growth of Black businesses across the nation.