Vantage Ventures Accelerator Program

Workforce+ is a Performance Grant option that allows TVA to make an investment in competitive economic development projects focused on building a highly skilled and qualified workforce. Award amounts are paid directly to the company and are contingent on companies meeting the minimum requirements of the Performance Grant Program. Funding amounts are based upon approval of the company’s talent pipeline development plan.

The Build Our Future Grant Pilot Program and Fund (Fund) is a financing resource operated by the Maryland Department of Commerce (Commerce), to provide grants for innovation infrastructure projects intended to support innovation in an eligible technology sector. Grant awards may be used to defray the cost a grantee incurs to acquire, construct, rehabilitate, install, improve, or equip an eligible innovation infrastructure project.

The King County Community Reinvestment Small Business Grant provides King County small businesses and aspiring entrepreneurs with workforce-focused grants ranging from $3,500 to $10,000 to support business startup, recovery, or growth. Funded by the Workforce Development Council of Seattle-King County (WDC) through Washington State's Community Reinvestment Program and administered locally by the Seattle Latino Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce (SLMCC) and Tabor 100, the program offers three tiers tailored to a business's current stage: Tier 1 — Start Up ($3,500) for businesses just beginning or working toward their first hire, Tier 2 — Recovery ($6,500) for businesses with employees that have faced challenges and need to stabilize their workforce, and Tier 3 — Growth ($10,000) for established businesses ready to create new jobs, increase wages, or build advancement pathways. Approximately 28 grants are distributed across the tiers from a total pool of $200,000. Funds may be used for training, equipment, inventory, marketing, licensing, wages for new hires, software, and capital improvements, with all approved uses required to connect to workforce outcomes such as hiring, retention, wage improvement, or workforce capacity-building. Working capital, land or building acquisition, and debt repayment are not eligible uses. Eligible applicants must either be a small business with 50 employees or fewer holding an active business license in King County (nonprofits included), or an individual living in King County who plans to start a business there during the grant period. Funding is prioritized for businesses owned and operated by Black, Latine, Native American, Asian, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander individuals, as well as Economic Security for All (EcSA) participants and businesses that employ or plan to hire EcSA participants.

Grow-NY is an unprecedented food and agriculture business competition funded by Empire State Development that identifies, supports, and funds the top food, beverage, and agriculture innovations across the globe. Finalists receive dedicated mentorship and business development support and compete for a $1 million top prize. Winning companies commit to making a positive impact in the growing startup hub located in New York state’s Finger Lakes, Central NY, and Southern Tier regions.

Every year, Cartier awards three grants to women-owned businesses in nine different regions around the world. The Cartier Women’s Initiative Awards program is designed to support early-stage businesses that are focused on a range of social, economic and environmental development issues. The first-place business is awarded a $100,000 grant, second place receives $60,000 and third place gets $30,000. Winners also receive executive coaching and the opportunity to participate in a variety of training workshops.