Grants for Business Launch and Growth
As a service for our small business clients, the Pace SBDC keeps a running list of grants that provide financing to entrepreneurs looking to grow or expand their small businesses. If you're looking for COVID-19 relief related grants, check out our Privately-Funded COVID-19 Grant Programs and Government-Funded COVID-19 Grant Programs pages.
Privately-Funded Growth & Launch Grants
Robin Hood’s Catalyst program supports startups with traction by offering grant funding to help scale their impact in New York City. Eligible applicants must:
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Be a startup with no more than $150,000 in total revenue within any given 12-month period, and
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Have raised no more than $500,000 in outside funding (excluding grants).
Catalyst is designed to provide early-stage ventures with the resources and community connections they need to grow, sustain operations, and maximize their impact in underserved communities.
Deadline: 11/21/25
Gusto’s Impact Awards recognize small businesses making a meaningful difference in their communities. Winners receive cash prizes, major advertising support, and free Gusto services.
Eligibility:
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U.S.–based businesses with 75 or fewer employees
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Under $7M in annual revenue
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At least 1 year in operation with an active website and email
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Not a franchise or direct-selling (MLM) business
The program supports small businesses by elevating their stories, expanding their reach, and providing resources to help them grow and deepen their community impact.
Deadline: 11/21/25
Verizon’s Small Business Digital Ready program offers grant funding to help entrepreneurs strengthen and grow their businesses. To be eligible, applicants must:
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Register for the Digital Ready platform using this link, and
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Complete any combination of two eligible courses by December 10, 2025, to unlock the application.
Once unlocked, businesses can submit their application for grant funding designed to provide resources, mentorship, and community connections that help small businesses thrive.
Deadline: 12/10/25 at 11:59 PM (PST)
Spectrum Reach's Pay It Forward program offers selected small businesses free advertising campaign worth up to $15,000, including live and streaming TV, a custom-produced 30-second commercial, expert marketing consultation services and mentoring
Deadline: 12/31/2025
The Amber Grant by WomensNet is providing $10,000 and $25,000 grants for female entrepreneurs to achieve their business dreams.
To be eligible, applicants must be a women-owned business or a female entrepreneur. Further, Applicants must share their business or business idea and explain how they would use the grant money.
Deadline: Monthly
The program is designed to help early-stage entrepreneurs grow their businesses with five up-to $20K grants, access to industry experts and founder network.
Presented by the Queens Borough President Donovan Richards and Queens Economic Development Corporation, the multi-week program offers high-level entrepreneurial classes, one-on-one office hours with QEDC mentors & advisors, networking events with startup founders, and cash prizes (five up-to $20K awards).
Deadline: 3/2/2026
Public Sector Grant Programs
New York State has launched a Pre-Seed and Seed Matching Fund Program which will offer early-stage start-up companies in high-growth industries $50,000 to $250,000 in growth assistance, which they will match with funds from private sector co-investors.
SBIR/STTR programs support scientific excellence and technological innovation through the investment of Federal research funds in critical American priorities to build a strong national economy.
The Global NY State Trade Expansion Program (STEP) offers reimbursable grants of up to $5,000 to qualifying small and medium-sized business engaging in exporting for expenses related to participation in trade missions, trade shows exhibitions, export training, website translation, and development of international marketing campaigns.
As of June 16, 2025 all STEP funding has been allocated. Any applications submitted on or after June 16, 2025 will be placed on a waiting list. If funds become available in the future, the company will be contacted.
The Global NY Grant Program offers reimbursable grants of up to $25,000 to help companies customize for export markets, participate in trade shows, and undertake product adaptation to meet foreign regulatory requirements.
HVAC small businesses can hire students and recent grads and get reimbursed for up to 90% of intern wages! The program offers access to a pool of qualified candidates and supports flexible internship schedules.
NYC's Department of Small Business Services offers a Customized Training Grant Program to reimburse 60% of training costs incurred by eligible small businesses. Businesses must train at least 10 employees who are either currently or after training will be working full time, be based in NYC, and must pay for training upfront as the program reimburses participants quarterly.
The New York State Department of Labor has grants available for businesses who wish to train both existing and new employees. Each of their programs have unique eligibility requirements and generally necessitate that businesses have and train more than one employee.
Empire State Development’s Employee Training Incentive Program provides tax credits to science and technology businesses that train employees (50% of eligible training costs, up to $10,000 per employee receiving eligible training) and/or host internships (50% of the stipend paid to an intern, up to $3,000 per intern).