Virginia Jobs Investment Program

NC IDEA offers two grant programs to startups in North Carolina: IDEA Micro Grants and IDEA Seed Grants. NC IDEA MICRO: Through small, project-based grants, NC IDEA MICRO awards $10K in funding to startups actively moving their companies forward by validating assumptions and developing a business model. We have found that funding, paired with mentorship and guidance, early in a company’s lifecycle, can make a significant impact on future success. NC IDEA SEED: NC IDEA SEED offers early stage companies the critical funding they need to scale faster. Our $50K grants are awarded to innovative startups with a proven concept — even if they are not yet profitable. The funds, along with mentorship and guidance, push companies forward and reduce risk associated with growing startups.

The Wish Local Empowerment Program, funded by the e-commerce brand Wish, is designed to support Black-owned small businesses. With a $2 million fund, the program offers financial assistance between $500 and $2,000 to around 4,000 Wish Local partners. To qualify, businesses must be Black-owned, have 20 or fewer employees, and earn under $1 million annually. Recipients will also gain access to Wish Local's consumer base through various partnership opportunities.

The National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD) invites applications for Clinical Research Center Grants designed to advance the diagnosis, prevention, treatment, and amelioration of human sensory and communication disorders. For this announcement, Clinical Research is defined as research involving individuals with a sensory and/or communication disorder, or data/tissues from individuals with a sensory and/or communication disorder. Examples of such research include but are not limited to, studies of the prevention, pathogenesis, pathophysiology, diagnosis, treatment, management or epidemiology of a disease or disorder of hearing, balance, smell, taste, voice, speech, or language. Although the intent is that all the research will involve individuals with sensory and/or communication disorders or data/tissues from individuals with sensory and/or communication disorders, when the clinical research goal(s) warrant(s) limited departures from this intent, alternatives (e.g., non-human research, human subjects without a sensory or communication disorder, human at risk for a sensory and/or communication disorder) are possible with appropriate and strong scientific justification and in consultation with NIDCD staff. Applications may propose a low-risk clinical trial but are not required to (optional).

The Working Lands Enterprise Initiative (WLEI) offers grants that support forest, farm, and food businesses. Grants also go to producer associations, business assistance provider organizations, and more. The state's annual budget process decides the amount of funds available each year. The Working Lands Enterprise Board (WLEB) meets each summer to decide which grants to offer for the coming year based on available funds and needs across Vermont. This is an annual program that opens in September yearly. The program typically awards $10,000 to $100,000 to businesses in Vermont to fund market development, research and development, infrastructure, energy, or workforce development projects.

Every month, we select a business owner in the US as a Freed Fellow. Each Fellow receives a $500 grant to invest in their existing business. No strings attached. No equity required. Everyone who submits a feedback request also receives two months free inside Freed Studio—our virtual community designed to help you grow your email list and turn subscribers into sales. Freed Fellows are also eligible to receive an additional end-of-year grant of $2,500.