Hello Alice Small Business Grants
Hello Alice
Eligibility: Early-stage small businesses; multiple themed tracks year-round
Program details Startup funding guide
Small Business Grants for Startups: The 2026 Guide
Non-dilutive funding for founders in year zero or year one — pitch competitions, federal R&D grants, and the local incubators and SBDCs most first-time founders overlook.
Can a brand-new startup qualify?
Yes — but the pool is narrower than for established businesses. Pitch competitions and private/foundation grants are the fastest path for pre-revenue startups. Federal grants generally want to see an EIN, a formed entity, and a SAM.gov registration, and often a few months of operating history. SBIR/STTR is the major exception: it's designed for early-stage R&D and routinely funds companies that haven't shipped a product yet.
Documents to prepare first
- EIN + formation documents (LLC / C-corp)
- SAM.gov registration and UEI number (federal grants only)
- One-page business summary and use-of-funds breakdown
- Founder bios and short pitch video (competitions)
- 12-month projection — revenue, expenses, headcount
Brand-new businesses are asked for more documentation, not less — reviewers use it to de-risk the lack of operating history.
Pitch competitions & private grants
$5,000 – $25,000
FedEx Small Business Grant Contest
FedEx
Eligibility: US small businesses in operation 6+ months
Program detailsAmber Grant
WomensNet
Eligibility: Women-owned businesses at any stage
Program detailsIFundWomen Universal Grant Database
IFundWomen
Eligibility: Women founders; rolling matched grants from corporate partners
Program detailsComcast RISE
Comcast NBCUniversal
Eligibility: BIPOC-, women-, and underrepresented-owned small businesses
Program detailsFederal programs friendly to startups
SBIR / STTR Phase I
11 participating federal agencies
Eligibility: US small businesses (<500 employees) doing R&D with commercial potential
Program detailsUSDA Rural Business Development Grants
USDA Rural Development
Eligibility: Small emerging businesses in eligible rural areas
Program detailsSmall Business Development Centers (SBDC)
SBA-funded SBDC network
Eligibility: Any US small business or founder
Program detailsDon't skip local incubators and SBDCs
Almost every state has an SBA-funded Small Business Development Center offering free 1:1 advising, plus local incubators and economic-development agencies that run micro-grants ($1k–$25k) with far less competition than national programs. Start with your state's SBDC directory and your city's economic development office.
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