Florida has a pro-business climate for good reason. It’s one of few states with no state personal income tax and low corporate taxes, and it leads the nation in new business startups. It’s a hub of international commerce, has a growing technology industry, and is consistently ranked as one of the best states for starting a small business.
Despite the friendly business environment, many entrepreneurs could still use a leg up securing the funding they need to grow, and grant money can be a viable solution for that. Here are 10 grant opportunities available to Florida small businesses—including resources for workforce training, launching research projects, and breaking into international exports.
What are small business grants?
Small business grants award funding that doesn’t need to be repaid, as well as business resources such as professional support and training, promotional opportunities, and networking. They are typically granted by economic development agencies, universities, companies, and nonprofits. Business grants can be key resources for needed capital, development, and exposure during a business’s early stages.
Business grants can also include competitive events such as venture and pitch competitions, with opportunities for exposure and cash prizes; and cohort-based fellowships, which can provide training, mentorship, and networking.
A major funder for many of Florida’s grant programs is the Small Business Administration (SBA), which provides grants through two main initiatives: Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR). This funding is usually distributed through state-based institutions, and it can be an asset for many emerging small businesses.
10 Florida small business grants
- CareerSource Florida training grants
- SelectFlorida trade grants
- Florida High Tech Corridor matching grants
- Prospera grants
- Veterans Florida Entrepreneurship Program
- Florida Atlantic University Runway Venture Program
- Florida Venture Forum’s Early Stage Venture Conference
- WBENCPitch Competition
- Orlando Business Assistance Program
- Community Redevelopment Agency grants
Florida’s grant landscape often includes programs designed to finance new development projects, especially for some of the larger industries in Florida, such as science, technology, and exported goods.
1. CareerSource Florida training grants
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Award: Up to $100,000 per year
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Eligibility: Florida businesses; must be relocating or expanding to be eligible for Quick Response Training Grants
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Deadline: Rolling
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How to apply: Must apply online to pre-approve training programs
CareerSource Florida, the state’s workforce development program, offers financial assistance for employee training programs at small businesses, reimbursing up to 75% of training costs. The grant program includes Quick Response Training (QRT) Grants for new hires, and Incumbent Worker Training (IWT) Grants for existing full-time staff members receiving professional development support.
2. SelectFlorida trade grants
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Award: Up to $13,500
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Eligibility: Florida manufacturers and service-based businesses over two years old with five or more full-time employees
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Deadline: Rolling
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How to apply: Must apply online, and become a member of Florida Division of Corporations
SelectFlorida offers multiple trade grants to support small Florida businesses that are new to the exporting business, helping them identify new international growth strategies. Business owners can apply for grants to help them develop an export marketing plan, to pay 75% of expenses for overseas trade shows, and to provide funds and translation support for international trade meetings. Each SelectFlorida grant is offered separately, but businesses can apply for all three grants. The grants are also designed to work in tandem with the SBA’s STEP grants, a separate grant program for small business exporters.
3. Florida High Tech Corridor matching grants
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Award: Up to $150,000 in matching funds
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Eligibility: Must be a business in Central Florida, partnered with a university research team from the University of Central Florida and/or the University of South Florida
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Deadline: Rolling
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How to apply: Partner with university research team, reach out by email, and submit a research proposal
The Matching Grants Research Program funds partnerships between small businesses and university research teams to launch new commercial research projects. The program lets small businesses tap into university and research resources without hiring new employees. Grant funds are matched dollar-for-dollar with existing project funds and in-kind assets. The program is also designed to support SBIR/STTR grants, separate SBA-funded grant programs that support early-stage business funding for research and development.
4. Prospera grants
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Award: Funds and resources for professional development
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Eligibility: Hispanic small business owners in Florida
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Deadline: Rolling
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How to apply: Contact the nearest Prospera office directly
The Prospera Foundation offers grants to Hispanic small business owners, reimbursing expenses for marketing, planning, and accounting projects. The foundation specializes in support for Hispanic and immigrant entrepreneurs and provides bilingual training resources.
5. Veterans Florida Entrepreneurship Program
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Award: Cohorts with professional development resources
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Eligibility: Florida entrepreneurs who are veterans, service members, and spouses
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Deadline: Regularly posted, specific to each cohort and event
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How to apply: Submit an online application with military documentation
Veterans Florida offers multiweek cohorts, networking opportunities, mentorships, and workshops for veteran and active-duty entrepreneurs. Participants receive specialized training and support, including finalizing legal documents, developing business models, and scaling established businesses. Selected graduates go on to compete in the Battle of the Pitches competition, with prizes of up to $10,000.
6. Florida Atlantic University Runway Venture Program
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Award: Mentorship, networking, and development resources valued at more than $100,000
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Eligibility: Florida businesses with six or fewer employees
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Deadline: Regularly posted, specific to each cohort
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How to apply: Submit an online application, followed by two interviews
Florida Atlantic University’s Runway program organizes cohorts for founders of Florida startups, providing expertise and support through multiple veteran mentors based on MIT’s Venture Mentoring Service model. Eligible small businesses should be in early or startup stages, with grant recipients required to complete FAU’s free workshop on SBIR/STTR grants.
7. Florida Venture Forum’s Early Stage Venture Conference
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Award: Up to $50,000
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Eligibility: Early-stage businesses in Florida
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Deadline: Annual event
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How to apply: Submit an online application, with selected businesses asked to make a one-minute pitch video
The Florida Venture Forum’s Early Stage Venture Conference is a statewide pitch competition that has top startups and early-stage businesses compete in a one-day highly-publicized event. Prizes are funded by Space Florida, with winning business pitches receiving prizes of $5,000 to $50,000 and new opportunities for investor engagement and networking.
8. WBENCPitch competition
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Award: Up to $25,000
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Eligibility: Women-owned businesses in Florida
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Deadline: Annual events
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How to apply: Must submit a recorded video pitch, with 10 semi-finalists selected to compete
Florida’s regional WBENCPitch is an annual competitive platform for women-owned small businesses to connect with new audiences and investors. The regional pitch competition is open to women-owned businesses across Florida, with two winners selected to receive prizes of $25,000 and advance to the national WBENCPitch competition.
9. Orlando Business Assistance Program
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Award: Matching grant up to $20,000
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Eligibility: New or expanding small businesses located in Orlando
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Deadline: Rolling
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How to apply: Eligible local businesses must meet with a coordinator, then submit an application with required documentation for approval
The City of Orlando’s Business Assistance Program offers 50-50 matching grant money to offset city permit and impact fees, as well as many façade and storefront improvements. All construction must be approved beforehand, and can include adding ADA-compliant ramps, sidewalk repairs, landscaping, street lighting, and installing EV charging stations.
10. Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) grants
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Award: Programs vary, with many CRAs offering 50-50 matching grants for structural improvements and fees
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Eligibility: Must live within the CRA district
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Deadline: Rolling
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How to apply: Contact the nearest CRA directly
Florida’s small business ecosystem relies heavily on CRAs, which operate as local redevelopment districts across the state. Funded in part by state tax revenue, CRAs are different for each district, and often include matching funding for façade and building improvements, city fees, and microgrants. Florida’s large number of CRAs include small business grant programs in North Miami, Tampa, Jacksonville, Orlando and Fort Lauderdale.
Tips for applying for a small business grant
- Search widely and strategically
- Know your audience
- Connect through storytelling
- Hone your business pitch
- Use required documents and to your advantage
These tips can help you put together a grant application that stands out from your competition and improve your chances of receiving business grant funding.
Search widely and strategically
Don’t limit your search to state-level grants. Use online grant lists and trusted resources like Grants.gov and SBA.gov to find relevant grants and opportunities. Locate funding where you have a strategic advantage, such as grants for your business size, location, and type.
Know your audience
Look closely at the grant guidelines, and learn about the funder’s mission and values. Then tailor your application with this audience in mind. If your application includes written answers, echo the concepts or vocabulary they frequently use and explain how it’s relevant to your business’s vision.
Connect through storytelling
If you want to earn a grant, it can be helpful to share a compelling story that explains why you need and deserve it. Storytelling allows the person reading your grant application to connect with your narrative emotionally and see why you are a good candidate for their award.
Hone your business pitch
Grants and pitch competitions often ask for filmed business pitches. But even if a grant doesn’t require it, your application should revolve around your business pitch. Refine your pitch for your grant’s audience, and practice it in front of others before you share it with the people awarding the money. This can help you hone your message and worth through nervous jitters.
Use required documents to your advantage
Documents such as high-quality business plans, detailed budgets, and professional photos can help set you apart. Play to your strengths: If your business is appealing visually, hire a professional to photograph your products. These additional documents have an outsize impact, since they show, rather than tell, your story.
Small business grants in Florida FAQ
How much funding can I expect from a Florida small business grant?
The amount awarded by a grant program can vary significantly. Florida business grants may range from a few hundred dollars to tens of thousands. Many grants, though, focus more on professional development and resources, without awarding any funding or investing directly.
How does a small business get a grant?
Most small business grants require that applicantssubmit a grantapplication, and some may ask for additional documents like project budgets, bank documents, business plans, and recorded video submissions. Securing a grant can be competitive and time-consuming, and it’s estimated that only one in seven applications is approved for funding.
What are the disadvantages of small business grants?
A small business grant can be an asset for your business, but they often require time and effort to submit. Before committing the time, review the eligibility requirements to make sure you qualify before putting energy into applying. They are also highly competitive, so it’s more likely you won’t be awarded the grant money than you will.
What’s the difference between a grant and a loan?
Grant funds are a gift that doesn’t have to be repaid, and loans must be paid back—often with interest. Loans can be secured from banks, credit unions, and online lenders, while grants typically are awarded by nonprofit organizations, universities, and economic development agencies.
*Shopify Capital loans must be paid in full within a maximum of 18 months, and two minimum payments apply within the first two six-month periods. The actual duration may be less than 18 months based on sales.
