Small Business Grants in Arkansas
Arkansas offers a surprisingly robust ecosystem for small business funding, combining Southern hospitality with a pragmatic approach to economic development. Home to major corporations like Walmart, Tyson Foods, and J.B. Hunt, the state understands the importance of business growth at every level. For small business owners, Arkansas provides access to both state-funded programs and the full range of federal grant opportunities, with a cost of living that means your funding goes further here than in many other states.
Economic Overview
Arkansas has approximately 250,000 small businesses that employ about 480,000 workers, representing 46% of the state's private workforce. The economy spans agriculture, food processing, transportation and logistics, retail, and an emerging technology sector centered around Northwest Arkansas (the Bentonville-Fayetteville corridor). The presence of Walmart's headquarters has created a vendor ecosystem that attracts businesses from around the world, and the region has experienced significant investment in startup infrastructure. Arkansas has no franchise tax for most businesses and maintains competitive income and property tax rates. The state's central geographic location also provides logistics advantages for businesses that ship physical products.
State Grant Programs
The Arkansas Economic Development Commission (AEDC) coordinates several incentive and grant programs, including the Tax Back Program, the Create Rebate Program, and the Targeted Business Incentive Program. The Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center (ASBTDC) provides free consulting across the state. The Arkansas Development Finance Authority offers bond financing and loan programs for qualifying businesses. In Northwest Arkansas, the Heartland Challenge and various programs through the Walton Family Foundation provide grants and mentorship to entrepreneurs. The Arkansas Capital Corporation Group provides alternative lending to small businesses that may not qualify for conventional financing. For rural businesses, USDA Rural Development has a strong presence in Arkansas.
How to Apply
Start by contacting the ASBTDC — they have consultants across the state who can help you identify which grants match your business. For federal grants, register at SAM.gov and search Grants.gov for opportunities in your industry. The AEDC website lists current state incentive programs. If you are in Northwest Arkansas, take advantage of the concentrated startup ecosystem — organizations like Startup Junkie, the Brewer Family Entrepreneurship Hub at the University of Arkansas, and Gravitate provide direct connections to funding.
Featured Opportunities63 Active
Award Amount
$4,000 - $4,000
NASE Growth Grant
Award Amount
$10,000 - $50,000
Amber Grant for Women
Award Amount
$275,000 - $305,000
NSF SBIR Phase I (America's Seed Fund)
Award Amount
$10,000 - $500,000
USDA Rural Business Development Grants
Award Amount
$1,000 - $10,000
Skip Monthly Business Grants
Award Amount
$5,000 - $25,000
IFundWomen Universal Grant Application
Award Amount
$10,000 - $10,000
Verizon Small Business Digital Ready
Award Amount
$10,000 - $10,000
Venmo Small Business Grant
Award Amount
$50,000 - $275,000
DOD SBIR Phase I
Award Amount
$150,000 - $293,297
NIH SBIR/STTR Phase I
Award Amount
$50,000 - $200,000
DOE SBIR/STTR Phase I
Award Amount
$50,000 - $100,000
EPA SBIR Phase I
Award Amount
$75,000 - $750,000
USDA Value-Added Producer Grant
Award Amount
$2,500 - $1,000,000
USDA Rural Energy for America (REAP)
Award Amount
$600,000 - $5,000,000
EDA Public Works Program
Award Amount
$150,000 - $2,500,000
EDA Economic Adjustment Assistance
Award Amount
$250,000 - $2,000,000
EDA Build to Scale (Venture Challenge)
Award Amount
$75,000 - $150,000
SBA Growth Accelerator Fund Competition
Award Amount
$50,000 - $4,500,000
SBA HUBZone Program
Award Amount
$50,000 - $4,500,000
SBA 8(a) Business Development Program
Award Amount
$50,000 - $4,500,000
SBA Women-Owned Small Business Contracting
Award Amount
$5,000 - $25,000
Hello Alice Small Business Growth Fund
Award Amount
$20,000 - $20,000
Allstate Main Street Grants (Hello Alice)
Award Amount
$10,000 - $50,000
Fund Her Future Grant (H&R Block)
Award Amount
$1,000 - $15,000
Kiva 0% Interest Microloans
Award Amount
$15,000 - $25,000
Amazon Business Small Business Grant
Award Amount
$2,000 - $350,000
Google for Startups Cloud Program
Award Amount
$20,000 - $20,000
Intuit QuickBooks Small Business Hero
Award Amount
$10,000 - $10,000
Ladies Who Launch Program
Award Amount
$500 - $2,500
Freed Fellowship Grant
Award Amount
$25,000 - $100,000
MassChallenge Accelerator (Equity-Free)
Award Amount
$1,000 - $5,000
Southern Smoke Emergency Relief Fund
Award Amount
$30,000 - $100,000
Cartier Women's Initiative (2027 Cycle)
Award Amount
$10,000 - $50,000
EmpowHer Grant
Award Amount
$7,500 - $7,500
Halstead Grant for Jewelry Designers
Award Amount
$15,000 - $15,000
Girlboss Foundation Grant
Award Amount
$5,000 - $5,000
Red Backpack Fund (Spanx Foundation)
Award Amount
$5,000 - $5,000
Tory Burch Foundation Fellows
Award Amount
$10,000 - $10,000
NAWBO / Mastercard Small Business Grants
Award Amount
$2,000 - $5,000
Second Service Foundation Veteran Awards
Award Amount
$10,000 - $25,000
Hiring Our Heroes Small Business Grant
Award Amount
$5,000 - $50,000
PenFed Foundation Veteran Entrepreneur Program
Award Amount
$25,000 - $25,000
NAACP Powershift Entrepreneur Grant
Award Amount
$25,000 - $25,000
NAACP x L'Oreal Beauty Industry Grants
Award Amount
$10,000 - $20,000
Fearless Strivers Grant (Fearless Fund + Mastercard)
Award Amount
$1,500 - $5,000
First Nations Acorn Fund
Award Amount
$10,000 - $40,000
First Nations Native Food Sovereignty Grant
Award Amount
$10,000 - $50,000
NBMBAA Scale-Up Pitch Challenge
Award Amount
$5,000 - $10,000
SoGal Foundation Black Founder Grant
Award Amount
$5,000 - $5,000
DigitalUndivided Breakthrough Program
Award Amount
$5,000 - $10,000
NDI Small Business Hub (Disability Entrepreneurs)
Award Amount
$5,000 - $25,000
NAACP x BACARDI Backing the B.A.R.
Award Amount
$25,000 - $25,000
NAACP Power Forward Small Business Grant
Award Amount
$5,000 - $15,000
USHCC / Wells Fargo Hispanic Business Grants
Frequently Asked Questions
What small business grants are available in Arkansas?▼
Arkansas businesses can access federal SBIR/STTR grants, USDA Rural Development programs, state incentives through the AEDC, and private grants. Northwest Arkansas has additional startup grants through the Walton Family Foundation and local accelerator programs.
Is Northwest Arkansas a good place to start a business?▼
Northwest Arkansas has become one of the most dynamic entrepreneurial regions in the South. The presence of Walmart, Tyson, and J.B. Hunt creates a large corporate customer base, and organizations like Startup Junkie provide direct support to entrepreneurs. The region also offers a high quality of life at an affordable cost.
How can the ASBTDC help me get a grant?▼
The Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center provides free, confidential consulting on business planning, financial analysis, and grant applications. They help you identify appropriate grants, strengthen your proposals, and navigate the application process.
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