Abasiakan DennySmall business owners and entrepreneurs can access a variety of grants to upscale their influence and stability in the competitive market. These grants are important to support their visions, goals and innovations. The different grants and other concise information are provided for each grant.
FedEx Small Business Grants Contest
The FedEx Small Business Grants Contest is organised annually. The contest provides financial assistance and other services to small businesses in the United States.
- Eligibility: The FedEx Small Business Grants Contest is for for-profit businesses based in the US. The benefiting company should be extant for at least six months, with fewer than 99 employees and an active FedEx business shipping account.
- Amount: The grant provides up to $50,000.
- Deadline: The application opens in February and spans till mid-March. You can access the FedEx Small Business Grants Contest here FedEx Small Business Grants
America’s Seed Fund (SBIR/STTR)
- The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) provide early funding to small businesses. This is to enhance innovation and encourage research and development by small businesses.
- Eligibility: The America’s Seed Fund is specific to businesses engaged in the research and innovation of new technological innovations.
- Amount; The grant provides up to 1.5 million divided into different phases
- Deadline: The application is on a rolling basis. That is, it receives applications all year round. The company must be a small business with fewer than 500 employees. Based in the US and must have a 51% ownership by US citizens or permanent residents. The grant can be accessed here America’s Seed Fund
National Association for the Self-Employed (NASE) Growth Grants
The National Association for the Self-employed (NASE) supports small businesses and entrepreneurs. Meeting business needs can be a daring adventure for startups. The grant assists entrepreneurs in meeting specific business needs such as purchasing equipment.
- Eligibility: Applicants must be current members of NASE, and residing in the US. The grant caters for entrepreneurs and other small businesses that have visions and plans, but lack the funds to execute them and foster other business developments
- Amount: The Grant offers up to $4,000.
- Deadline: The application for the grant is made quarterly. That is January, April, July and October). The NASE grants can be accessed here National Association for the Self-Employed (NASE) Growth Grant
Tony Elumelu Foundation Entrepreneurship Programme (TEEP)
The Tony Elumelu Foundation Entrepreneurship Program is an initiative that supports enterprises in Africa. Beneficiaries have access to funding, mentorship, training and networking opportunities. The program focuses on enhancing sustainable development and innovation through entrepreneurship.
- Eligibility: The grant is specific for businesses between 0 to 3 years old. The applicant must be at least 18 years old and a resident of an African nation.
- Amount: The Tony Elumelu Entrepreneurship Programme provide $5,000funding to small businesses.
- Deadline: The application for TEEP opens in January and closes by March every year. Visit the Tony Elumelu Entrepreneurship Programme to begin your application.
African Development Foundation (USADF) Grants
The USADF aims to provide financial assistance to grassroots enterprises and community-based businesses across African communities. The USADF supports agriculture, energy, and men/women empowerment ventures. Job opportunities created and the income levels and contribution to social well-being are some metrics for measuring success by the USADF. The foundation focuses on relevant and impactful projects and innovations.
- Eligibility: The grant focuses on African-owned enterprises. The grant is for enterprises and corporations that create job opportunities and drive positive social change in marginalised communities.
- Amount: the USDAF provides up to $250,000 to business owners and entrepreneurs.
- Deadline: USADF operates on a rolling basis. That is, it’s open all year round. However, applications are always open when specific funding opportunities are available. To apply for grants visit U.S. African Development Foundation (USADF
These grant opportunities provide support for small businesses and entrepreneurs. Review the eligibility for each grant before applying.
