Women Founders Grant

The Reducing Industrial Sector Emissions in Pennsylvania (RISE PA) Grant is a $396 million statewide industrial decarbonization grant program that provides Pennsylvania industrial facilities with reimbursement grants to fund projects that reduce greenhouse gas and co-pollutant emissions. Administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Energy Programs Office and funded through the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Climate Pollution Reduction Grants under the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, the program is designed to lower emissions from Pennsylvania's industrial sector (which accounts for just over 30 percent of the state's total greenhouse gas emissions) while creating jobs, reducing energy costs, and strengthening manufacturing competitiveness. RISE PA awards funding through three competitive tracks tailored to project size: a Small-scale Award Track (SAT), administered in partnership with PennTAP (Penn State's Technology Application Program), for smaller decarbonization projects with multiple funding rounds; and Medium and Large-scale Award Tracks (MAT/LAT), administered through the DCED Enterprise eGrants system, for larger industrial projects. Eligible project types span industrial electrification, energy efficiency and process emissions reductions, switching to low-carbon fuels, on-site renewable energy, carbon capture and storage, and reducing fugitive emissions from natural gas and oil systems and coal mining. Grants are issued on a reimbursement basis, with medium and large-scale projects reimbursed for up to 90 percent of the Base Grant Award as costs are incurred and the remaining 10 percent disbursed once measurement, monitoring, and verification (MMV) of the project's emissions reductions is complete. Applicants can also receive a reimbursement of up to 1 percent of total project cost (capped at $70,000) to offset MMV expenses. Eligible expenses incurred on or after October 1, 2024 may be reimbursed, and all projects must be completed by the program's federally mandated sunset date of April 1, 2029.

The Romeoville Small Business Grant Program provides Romeoville, Illinois small businesses with grants of up to $5,000 to help offset startup and operating costs for businesses opening in a brick-and-mortar location within the village. Administered by the Village of Romeoville, the program was recently approved by the Village Board and is designed to make it easier for aspiring entrepreneurs to launch and grow their businesses in Romeoville's commercial spaces. In addition to the direct grant, the program also provides fee waivers for business license fees, inspection fees, and building permit fees associated with tenant buildouts, effectively lowering the total cost of opening a new location. Grant funds may be used for a range of eligible business expenses, including startup costs, planning expenses, general operating expenses, equipment and inventory purchases, and other similar business needs. To qualify, applicants must operate a business with a physical location in a commercial building within Romeoville, generate no more than $1 million in annual revenue, and employ five or fewer people.

Purpose: The Underground Storage Tank (UST) Cleanup Fund's mission is to (1) establish a mechanism to meet Financial Responsibility requirements for owners and operators of petroleum USTs, and (2) reimburse eligible corrective action costs incurred in the cleanup of contamination resulting from the unauthorized release of petroleum from USTs. Description: The UST Cleanup Fund provides a means for petroleum UST owners and operators to meet the federal and state requirements of maintaining financial responsibility to pay for damages arising from unauthorized releases from their petroleum USTs. The Fund assists a large number of small businesses and individuals by providing reimbursement for expenses associated with the cleanup of leaking USTs.

If your Florida startup is a high-tech company, you might be eligible for a Florida High Tech Corridor grant. These grants are designed for research and development projects and partner businesses with researchers at the University of Central Florida and the University of South Florida. Opportunities are available in 23 Florida counties. Eligible businesses work with university researchers to create a project plan and budget, as well as to submit the application. Applications are accepted throughout the year. If approved, funds of up to $150,000 are distributed directly to the university research team.

The Manufacturing Innovation Fund Voucher Program (MVP) provides CT companies with access to capital to help them obtain new equipment and the expertise they need to become more efficient, productive, and competitive. Eligible companies can apply for a grant up to $100,000 to conduct a new project. First-time applicants are required to provide a cash match of 2:1 and repeat applicants 3:1. That means, First time applicants provide 67% of the total proposed project cost and repeat applicants provide 75% of the proposed project cost. The program is administered by the Connecticut Center for Advanced Technology with funding provided through the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development's Manufacturing Innovation Fund.