Workbar’s Small Business Grant Contest

The Rhode Island Lift Program is a strategic investment initiative designed to fuel the growth and successful capital raise of high-impact life sciences companies in Rhode Island. This competitive program provides a non-dilutive funding boost to companies that have finalized or recently closed a funding round. By offering this last infusion of capital, the program helps high-potential life sciences ventures scale their operations, drive innovation, and strengthen their impact on the state’s economy, industry growth, and patient outcomes. Through this support, Rhode Island continues to position itself as a leader in life sciences advancement and commercialization.

Topeka and Shawnee County’s Small Business Incentives Program provides matching grants to local businesses to help with marketing costs, construction, equipment purchases, and more. Eligible businesses can get grants from $1,000 up to $20,000 depending on their project needs and matching investment. To qualify, businesses must be located in the City of Topeka or Shawnee County, have at least one but no more than 100 full-time employees, and demonstrate that their project will contribute to the economy.

The Invention Incentive Program is part of Rhode Island Commerce’s Innovation Initiatives Portfolio created to support local small businesses and innovators in Rhode Island, offering reimbursable grants up to $5,000 for eligible expenses incurred when filing patents.

The Downtown Building Rehabilitation (DBR) Grant provides business owners, Tribal governments, and nonprofits with reimbursement grants of up to $50,000 (or one-third of total project cost, whichever is lower) to finance code-compliant construction and remodeling projects on downtown commercial buildings. Funded by Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation (IRRR), Minnesota's economic development agency for the Iron Range region, and administered through a partnership with the Arrowhead Economic Opportunity Agency (AEOA), the program is available to businesses located within IRRR's northeastern Minnesota service area. Eligible buildings must be located on a main street in a downtown area, though applications from other locations in commercial business corridors may be reviewed on a case-by-case basis if additional funds are available. Eligible costs must relate to code compliance and can include general construction, electrical, plumbing, elevator, ADA, mechanical, and sprinkler work, housing rehabilitation, lead and asbestos removal, storefront improvements, and new construction or remodeling in the event of fire or natural disaster. Up to 10 percent of the grant may be used for professional services such as architectural, engineering, or design assistance on code compliance issues. Applications are accepted year-round and reviewed twice per year. A $500 AEOA application fee is required at the initial inspection and processed at project closing. Work cannot begin prior to approval and site inspection, and grant payments are made directly to the awarded contractor or vendor upon completion and final inspection. Applicants are limited to one project per year (additional projects considered case-by-case) and must have property taxes paid and up to date, along with verification from the Minnesota Secretary of State that the organization and any contractors are active and in good standing. Prevailing wage must be paid and certified payroll collected.

K-GLOBE program assists Kansas companies in boosting their export business through exhibiting products at foreign trade shows and conducting export-related marketing activities. Eligible businesses may receive reimbursement for 50% of eligible direct expenses up $10,000 every fiscal year (July 1-June 30) regardless of previous program award history.