Toledo Vibrancy Initiative

The Veteran Loan Fund (VLF) has launched the Veteran & Military Spouse Business Accelerator to expand access to capital, training, and business support for Veteran and Military Spouse entrepreneurs across the country. Participants will complete a free, 8-week program combining weekly instruction, structured assignments, and one-on-one business coaching. Those who successfully complete all program requirements will receive ongoing technical assistance for up to three years, access to up to $350,000 in loan capital, and a grant ranging from $3,000 to $5,000.

SMILE Health is a collaboration between CareQuest Innovation Partners and MATTER to advance emerging startups by curating connections to investors and customers, sharpening their value propositions, and supporting diverse founders. Accepted members will receive a $2,500 non-dilutive stipend as a part of their membership

The Business Development Grant provides Greater Charlottesville small businesses with $5,000 grants to help empower and sustain local entrepreneurs. Administered by the United Way of Greater Charlottesville in partnership with the Minority Business Alliance of the Charlottesville Regional Chamber of Commerce, the program awards multiple grants each year to local small businesses, with the goal of addressing one of the most common barriers to small business success: a lack of affordable capital. Since 2019, the partnership has awarded over $150,000 in grants to local small businesses, including six businesses awarded $5,000 each in the most recent cycle. Funds may be used for equipment acquisition, inventory, and operating expenses, including business promotion. Applications typically become available each summer, and attendance at a virtual information session is often required to apply.

This funding opportunity aims to support the development of in vivo high-resolution structural and functional imaging technologies for the living human inner ear. Proposed projects should focus on improving the resolution of current imaging techniques or developing new imaging techniques that can visualize inner ear structures in vivo with significantly greater detail and accuracy than currently possible. Both structural and functional aspects, including visualizing dynamic elements are important to development of new and improved techniques. Projects may also focus on developing new imaging probes or contrast agents that can enhance visualization of the inner ear structures. Ultimately, research supported in response to this RFA is to encourage technologies that allow, for example, structures such as hair cells, otoliths, membranes, ions, and vasculature to be viewed in detail in awake patients in a clinical setting using non-invasive techniques. To achieve this goal, a multi-disciplinary team approach that takes advantage of the expertise of each team member is highly encouraged. Studies in humans and intermediate studies in animals, but not non-mammalian species, may be proposed to develop or advance the needed technology. Any intermediate studies must articulate a clear path of the proposed methodology to application in awake humans or define the limitations and the usefulness in anesthetized humans.

The Going PRO Talent Fund (Talent Fund) makes awards to Michigan employers to assist in training, developing and retaining current and newly hired employees. Training funded by the Talent Fund must be short-term and fill a demonstrated talent need experienced by the employer. Training must lead to a credential for a skill that is transferable and recognized by industry.