Small business & startups
SBIR/STTR (America's Seed Fund), SBA programs, USDA Rural, MBDA for minority-owned firms, and the well-known private small-business grants.
11 federal agencies (SBA-coordinated)
The biggest source of early-stage, non-dilutive R&D money for small businesses — ~$4B/yr across NIH, NSF, DOD, DOE and more. You keep your equity. Start at SBIR.gov.
▸ R&D-stage small businesses (non-dilutive funding)
Go to the official source →
SBA
The SBA mostly backs loans, but it runs grant programs (e.g. for exporting, research, community lenders) and free counseling via SBDCs/SCORE. The honest first stop for small-biz funding.
▸ Programs, grants & local counseling
Go to the official source →
USDA Rural Development Federal
U.S. Department of Agriculture
Grants and loans for businesses, energy projects and infrastructure in rural communities (e.g. REAP energy grants, Rural Business Development Grants).
▸ Businesses & co-ops in rural areas
Go to the official source →
U.S. Department of Commerce
Federal agency dedicated to growing minority-owned firms — grant competitions and a national network of business centers.
▸ Minority-owned businesses
Go to the official source →
Hello Alice — Small Business Grants Foundation
Hello Alice (private)
A platform that runs frequent small-business grant programs (often $5k–$50k) with corporate sponsors, plus funding discovery. Free to join and apply.
▸ Small businesses (frequent themed grants)
Go to the official source →
Amber Grant for Women Foundation
WomensNet
Monthly + annual grants for women entrepreneurs. Small application, low barrier — a well-known starting grant for women-owned businesses.
▸ Women-owned businesses
Go to the official source →