Veteran Shark Tank

The City of Salem offers a matching grant program in the Fairview Urban Renewal Area (URA) to support businesses in constructing new buildings, adding to existing structures, or investing in permanent manufacturing equipment and related building improvements. This program is designed to encourage economic growth and enhance business operations within the district. By providing financial support, the program helps reduce the cost burden of construction and equipment investments, making it easier for businesses to grow. For property owners and business tenants, this program offers an opportunity to modernize facilities and improve productivity, benefiting both individual businesses and the community as a whole.

Dayton Community Development Corporation offers grants for small businesses that focus on the Downtown District of Dayton. To qualify for these programs, businesses must be within designated locations in the city. The Dayton Downtown Improvement Grant provides up to $25,000, as a 50% match for activities such as interior renovations, signage, landscaping and improvement to the building and parking lot. Along the same lines, the Dayton Small Business Grant offers funding up to $7,500 for exterior projects and also $7,500 for interior projects — on a 50% match basis.

The Launch Marin City program offers Marin City, California small business owners a free 12-week entrepreneurship training program, with all graduates becoming eligible to apply for a grant of up to $10,000 from the County of Marin upon completion. The grant itself is not automatic; graduates apply for the funding directly with the County after finishing the program. Launch Marin City is administered by the Marin County Office of Equity and Division of Economic Vitality as part of the Marin County Microbusiness Support Program (MSP), a broader initiative funded through the 2022-2025 Marin County Race Equity Action Plan (REAP). The program is designed to give small business owners the knowledge, mentorship, and community they need to build or grow the business they envision. Each cohort accepts 20 participants and meets weekly for 12 sessions in the evening, either in person at the Marin County Free Library's Marin City Branch or via Zoom, depending on the preferences of the cohort. Curriculum topics include sharpening business goals and next steps, reaching customers and marketing the business, pricing products or services, strengthening money management and budgeting, building stronger business systems, and creating a clear plan to move the business forward. Participation is completely free (a $2,500 value covered by MSP funding). To be eligible for Launch Marin City, applicants must be a small business owner who lives or works in Marin City. Businesses from all industries and sectors are invited to apply. Applications are reviewed after each cohort's deadline, with 20 participants selected per session and applicants typically notified of acceptance approximately one week before the cohort begins.

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 Commercial Façade Building Materials Grant Program provides funding to enhance and revitalize the aesthetics of Green Bay’s commercial districts. It aims to address deteriorating property conditions and encourage enhancements by providing a financial incentive for businesses to invest in their property. The Program is funded by the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) provided by the Federal Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). It is managed and administered by the City of Green Bay’s Community & Economic Development Department.