WBDC Ignite Grant

The Kickstart Grant Program is designed to support growth-oriented startups within the state to overcome initial hurdles through funding, mentorship, and future growth opportunities. Kickstart is available to help launch your business into the next phase of growth. We offer between $5,000 – $50,000 per award to help business owners achieve their next big milestone. This is non-dilutive funding, with no requirement for re-payment, so entrepreneurs can get their businesses up and running faster.

This training program helps Iowa businesses fund customized training for current employees. The program is designed to foster the growth and competitiveness of Iowa’s business and industry by ensuring that Iowa’s workforce has the skills and expertise to compete with any workforce outside the state of Iowa. The grant covers basic adult education, job-related instruction (or on-the-job training), skills assessments, testing and evaluation of employees, and travel reimbursement. Each of Iowa’s community colleges assists businesses with the development of training plans that are funded by forgivable loans. The maximum award is $25,000 for each project at a business site. A business site may be approved for multiple projects-with maximum funding over three years not to exceed $100,000. A cash match is required for projects exceeding $4,999.

The Business Security Camera Program encourages businesses to purchase and install exterior cameras on commercial properties. The program seeks to increase safety for shoppers, residents, and employees. Businesses citywide can receive up to 75% of the total eligible costs, as much as $3,000 for a single commercial property.

Managed by the Academic Innovations Team, the objective of the Federal Matching Grant is further federal funds received by small businesses in South Carolina to advance translational research in support of one or more critical milestones towards commercialization. Preference given to SBIR/STTR awardees with initial datasets who identify gaps in commercialization activities that would help develop a compelling proposal for follow on funding. Other Federal matches will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Key milestones include developing the technology past the minimum viable product (MVP) and demonstrating product-market fit, in the DEVELOP stage of startup development. In the ACCELERATE stage of startup development, key milestones include enabling product execution through testing and demonstrations. Federal Matching Grants can match funds up to 50% of a qualifying federal award, not to exceed $50,000.

Maryland's Winery and Vineyard Economic Development Grant Program provides financial assistance to individuals and corporations to establish a new winery or vineyard in the State or complete capital improvements at an existing winery or vineyard. Commerce will provide a grant to an individual or corporation for 25% of “qualified capital expenses.”