Small Business Grants in Colorado
Colorado has built one of the most vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystems in the country, combining a highly educated workforce, strong quality of life, and proactive government support for small businesses. The state regularly ranks among the top destinations for startup founders, remote workers, and small business owners. From the tech and aerospace corridors along the Front Range to the tourism-driven mountain communities and agricultural operations on the Eastern Plains, Colorado offers diverse funding opportunities for businesses of every size and type.
Economic Overview
Colorado's economy is driven by technology, aerospace and defense, renewable energy, outdoor recreation, agriculture, cannabis, and tourism. The state has approximately 670,000 small businesses employing over 1.1 million workers. Colorado consistently ranks in the top 10 states for business formation per capita, and the Denver-Boulder metro area is one of the nation's leading startup ecosystems. The state has a flat income tax rate, no inventory tax, and significant incentives for businesses in targeted industries. Colorado's SBDC network, run through the Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT), is highly active and well-funded.
State Grant Programs
OEDIT administers several programs relevant to small businesses, including the Advanced Industries Accelerator Grant Program, which provides proof-of-concept and early-stage capital grants to businesses in seven designated advanced industries (aerospace, bioscience, electronics, energy, infrastructure engineering, materials science, and technology). The Colorado Enterprise Fund offers microloans and small business loans to underserved entrepreneurs. The state's Rural Jump-Start Program provides tax incentives for new businesses in rural counties. The Energize Colorado Gap Fund distributed millions in grants and loans to small businesses and may have ongoing successor programs. Boulder, Denver, and Fort Collins all run active local grant and incentive programs.
How to Apply
Visit the OEDIT website and the Colorado SBDC for comprehensive guidance. If your business has a technology or innovation component, the Advanced Industries program should be your top priority — it is one of the best state-level grant programs in the country. Register with SAM.gov for federal grants. For rural Colorado businesses, contact the USDA Colorado office and explore the Rural Jump-Start Program. The Denver Metro SBDC and Boulder SBDC are particularly well-connected to the startup ecosystem.
Featured Opportunities66 Active
Award Amount
$50,000 - $150,000
Colorado Advanced Industries Proof of Concept Grant
Award Amount
$50,000 - $250,000
Colorado Early-Stage Capital & Retention Grant
Award Amount
$5,000 - $15,000
Colorado Advanced Industries Export Grant
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 grants are available for Colorado small businesses?▼
Colorado offers the Advanced Industries Accelerator Grant, various programs through OEDIT, the Colorado Enterprise Fund, Rural Jump-Start incentives, and federal programs like SBIR/STTR. Denver, Boulder, and other cities also run local business grant programs periodically.
What is the Advanced Industries Accelerator Grant?▼
This is a Colorado state grant program providing early-stage capital to companies in seven advanced industries: aerospace, bioscience, electronics, energy, infrastructure engineering, materials science, and technology. Grants support proof-of-concept research and early-stage capital needs.
Are there grants for rural Colorado businesses?▼
Yes. The Rural Jump-Start Program provides significant tax incentives for new businesses in eligible rural counties. USDA Rural Development grants are also widely available. The Colorado Enterprise Fund specifically targets underserved communities including rural areas.
Grants by Group in Colorado
Grants by Industry in Colorado
Funding Guides for Colorado Businesses
Small Business Grants for Women in 2026: The Complete Guide
Small Business Grants vs. Loans: Which Is Right for You?
How to Write a Small Business Grant Application That Actually Wins
Best Small Business Loans in 2026: Compare Top Lenders
Filter by City in Colorado
Don't see a perfect match?
Most businesses rely on lines of credit rather than grants. Check your eligibility for up to $250k in fast funding.
Check Funding EligibilityNever Miss a Grant Deadline
Get free weekly grant alerts delivered to your inbox