Small Business Grants in Delaware
Delaware may be the second smallest state by area, but it punches well above its weight in business friendliness. Famous as the incorporation state of choice for over half of all US publicly traded companies, Delaware offers small businesses a favorable legal and tax environment, strategic East Coast location, and growing support infrastructure. From Wilmington's financial services hub to the beach towns of Sussex County, Delaware's small businesses benefit from a state government that actively courts business growth.
Economic Overview
Delaware has approximately 87,000 small businesses, and despite its small size, the state's economy is diverse — spanning financial services, healthcare, agriculture (particularly poultry farming), chemical manufacturing, and a growing technology sector. Delaware has no sales tax, making it attractive for retail and e-commerce businesses. The state's corporate-friendly legal system, centered on the Court of Chancery, is renowned for its expertise in business law. Delaware's proximity to Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington DC, and New York gives businesses access to major metropolitan markets within a short drive.
State Grant Programs
The Delaware Division of Small Business administers the Delaware Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI), which provides access to capital through participating lenders. The Delaware Strategic Fund offers grants and loans for job creation and capital investment. The Blue Hen Grants program and the Encouraging Development, Growth, and Expansion (EDGE) program provide matching grants to small businesses. For technology companies, the Delaware Innovation Space offers lab and office space with support services. The state's Downtown Development Districts program provides grants and tax incentives for businesses locating in designated revitalization zones in several Delaware cities.
How to Apply
The Delaware Division of Small Business website is your primary resource for state programs. The Delaware SBDC, based at the University of Delaware, provides free advising. Contact the Delaware Division of Small Business directly — as a small state, you often get more personalized attention than you would in larger states. For federal grants, register at SAM.gov and search Grants.gov. USDA grants are particularly relevant for businesses in Kent and Sussex Counties.
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 makes Delaware a good state for small businesses?▼
Delaware offers no sales tax, a corporate-friendly legal system, low franchise taxes for most small businesses, strategic East Coast location between major cities, and an active state government that supports business growth through grants and incentive programs.
What grant programs does Delaware offer?▼
Delaware offers the Strategic Fund for job creation grants, the EDGE program for matching grants, Downtown Development District incentives, and the Small Business Credit Initiative for access to capital. Federal SBIR/STTR and USDA programs are also available.
Are there grants for startups in Delaware?▼
Yes. The Delaware Innovation Space supports technology startups. The University of Delaware's Horn Entrepreneurship program connects student and community entrepreneurs with funding. Various private grants and the state's SBDC can help identify additional opportunities.
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