Top Small Business Grants in Colorado
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Grants for Small Businesses in Colorado
Skill Advance Colorado Grant Program
Program description: The Skill Advance Colorado grant program can provide eligible businesses with Colorado First (CF) and Existing Industry (EI) job training reimbursement grants to strengthen business competitiveness and improve employment opportunities. Incentive: Colorado offers job training funds of up to $200K per business per fiscal year that helps business owners pay competitive wages to recruit new hires. General requirements: Here are some of the general requirements for this grant: Be a Colorado business owner in a key industry, such as advanced manufacturing, bioscience, electronics, housing, tourism, or financial services Hire net new full-time employees who receive meaningful job training in Colorado Your grant-funded employees must have the right to work in the United States and cannot be seasonal employees or employees in retail occupations Pay your employees an average wage based on business location Colorado small business firms with fewer than 500 employees are preferred
How to apply: Contact your local Skill Advance Colorado community college representative if you wish to apply.
Colorado’s State Trade Expansion Program (STEP) Grant
Program description: The Colorado STEP Grant helps Colorado small businesses pay for international business development activities, such as attending international trade shows and researching foreign markets. Incentive: Eligible businesses can receive up to $10,000 per year. General requirements: Here are some of the general requirements for this grant: Be an export-ready small business registered with the Colorado Secretary of State in Good Standing Have headquarters in Colorado or at least 50% of your employees based in Colorado Be new to export or expand your exports to new markets abroad Your business is at least 12 months old
How to apply: You can apply online when the Colorado STEP Grant application opens.
Cannabis Business Grant
Program description: Colorado’s Cannabis Business Grant can provide funding to social equity cannabis businesses that possess or are in the process of getting a regulated business license from the state’s Marijuana Enforcement Division. Incentive: Eligible businesses can receive up to $50K and use the funds toward operational needs, innovation, regulatory fees, professional services, and facility improvements. General requirements: Here are some of the general requirements for this grant: At least 51% of the business is owned by a person with a Social Equity License from the Colorado Marijuana Enforcement Division You possess or plan to get a Regulated Business License from the Colorado Marijuana Enforcement Division and the local licensing authority where your business intends to operate Be in Good Standing with the Colorado Secretary of State
How to apply: You can apply online when the Cannabis Business Grant application opens.
Colorado’s Community Business Preservation Program Grant
Program description: The Community Business Preservation Program allows eligible sponsoring entities in Colorado — such as local governments or economic development organizations — to collaborate with Colorado businesses for the opportunity to apply for competitive grant awards. Incentive: Receive grants of $10,000 to $50,000 per business that can pay for infrastructure and facade improvements, among other eligible uses. General requirements: Here are some of the general requirements for this grant: Be a registered Colorado business owner (cannot be a franchise) Must have been fully operational on or prior to Sept. 22, 2021 Two to six businesses with cultural significance in Colorado must collaborate with an eligible sponsoring entity that meets the following qualifications: Sponsoring entity is either a local government or eligible Colorado nonprofit that has been granted IRS tax-exempt status Sponsoring entity serves as the fiscal agent for the two to six businesses as part of the collaborative application Sponsoring entity has at least one part-time or full-time paid employee Eligible sponsoring entity can be a local government, economic development organization, business improvement district, or community-based nonprofit Sponsoring entity cannot be a religious organization, out-of-state organization, or political advocacy organization
Advanced Industries Export Grant
Program description: The Advanced Industries Export Grant can reimburse some of your international business development and marketing costs if you own and operate an eligible Colorado small business. Incentive: Receive up to $15K reimbursement for eligible business expenses. The grant can reimburse a variety of expenses, such as the costs of producing international marketing materials or participating in an overseas trade mission. General requirements: Here are some of the general requirements for this grant: Be an export-ready small business registered with the Colorado Secretary of State in Good Standing Have headquarters in Colorado or at least 50% of your employees based in Colorado Manufacture an advanced technology Be new to export or expand your exports to new markets abroad Employ fewer than 200 employees globally Have at least two years of sales experience in the United States
How to apply: You can apply online when the Advanced Industries Export Grant application opens
Who Provides Small Business Grants in Colorado?
Arizona small business grants California small business grants Florida small business grants Georgia small business grants Illinois small business grants Indiana small business grants Maryland small business grants Michigan small business grants NC small business grants New York small business grants NJ small business grants Ohio small business grants Pennsylvania small business grants Texas small business grants Wisconsin small business grants
Do You Have to Pay Back a Small Business Grant?
Who Is Eligible for Small Business Grants in Colorado?
What Industries Does Colorado Support With Grants?
Advanced manufacturing Aerospace Bioscience Electronics Energy and natural resources (including cleantech) Infrastructure engineering Technology and information
Colorado Resources for SMB Owners Looking for Funding
Colorado Small Business Development Center (SBDC)
Business training workshops Networking events One-on-one business consulting at no cost
SBA District Office in Colorado
Alternative Funding Sources for Small Businesses in Colorado
Colorado State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI)
Colorado Venture Capital Authority — $59.8 million. This program will provide venture capital to new and expanding businesses in Colorado. Cash Collateral Support Program — $35 million. This program provides cash collateral to help small businesses qualify for small business loans. CLIMBER Loan Fund — $10 million. This program uses SSBCI funds alongside private funds to support a loan to a borrower.
Colorado Microloan Lenders
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Commercial real estate loans Equipment financing Small business loans for startups Working capital lines of credit
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