Small Business Grants in Arizona
Arizona splits its small business money between two agencies. They are the Arizona Commerce Authority and the Arizona Office of Economic Opportunity.
Which Arizona grants fit your business?
Answer 7 quick questions and we sort the 10 programs on this page into likely fits and long shots. Nothing personal is asked or stored, and final eligibility is always decided by the granting agency.
Arizona Small Business Grant Programs
State-administered funding programs available to Arizona small businesses. Verify deadlines directly with the granting agency before applying.
Arizona Innovation Challenge (AIC)
Arizona Commerce Authority
$50,000+
Rolling (cohorts announced annually)One of the largest business plan competitions in the country, the AIC awards a minimum of $50,000 in non-dilutive funding to up to 10 early-stage startups per cohort. Awardees also receive three months of customized mentorship with an ACA Entrepreneur-in-Residence.
Status check, The Fall 2025 cohort closed to applications on August 11, 2025. The ACA still lists AIC as an active program between cycles, and no 2026 application window has been announced yet.
Last verified, Aug 3, 2026
Arizona Competes Fund
Arizona Commerce Authority
Varies by project
RollingA deal-closing grant fund that supports business attraction, expansion, and retention. At least 25% of annual funding is reserved for projects on tribal lands or outside Maricopa County, with priority given to border and military-adjacent counties.
Status check, The Arizona Competes Fund remains active with no official closure or discontinuation notice. No current application deadline is posted. FY26 Q2 report noted no grants awarded that quarter but program continues per state budget materials.
Last verified, Aug 6, 2026
Arizona State Trade Expansion Program (AZ STEP)
Arizona Commerce Authority
Varies (reimbursement-based)
RollingFunded in partnership with the SBA, AZ STEP assists small businesses entering export markets for the first time or expanding into new international markets. The program covers costs such as trade missions, export training, website localization, and market entry support.
Status check, The ACA lists AZ STEP as available to Arizona small businesses, with no fixed deadline. Support is reimbursement-based for export activities like trade shows and market entry. Apply by contacting the ACA International Trade team.
Last verified, Aug 3, 2026
SSBCI Small Business Opportunity Program (SBOP)
Arizona Commerce Authority / U.S. Department of Treasury
$7.9 million total allocation
RollingA federal award of $7.9 million to expand technical assistance programs for underserved and very small businesses in Arizona. The program focuses on rural and mining communities and helps connect businesses to capital for participation in key supply chains.
Status check, The Arizona SSBCI SBOP is active with no specific deadline listed. ACA and Treasury sources describe ongoing rolling applications through participating lenders. No pause, closure, or discontinuation has been announced.
Last verified, Aug 2, 2026
Arizona Microbusiness Loan Program
Arizona Office of Economic Opportunity
$2,000 to $50,000 (loan)
RollingA state-funded loan program for Arizona businesses with five or fewer employees. Loans of $2,000 to $50,000 are issued through regional CDFI and nonprofit lending partners, with financial education and training attached. Funds can cover working capital, equipment, real property, and job creation.
Status check, Verified open in July 2026 at the Arizona Office of Economic Opportunity. This is a state-funded loan, not a grant. Businesses with five or fewer employees borrow $2,000 to $50,000 through regional CDFI and nonprofit lending partners.
Last verified, Aug 3, 2026
Federal and State Technology (FAST) Grant
Arizona Commerce Authority
Up to $3,000
Rolling (multiple rounds per year)Provides funding, resources, and training to help entrepreneurs prepare more competitive SBIR/STTR proposals. Each round awards six applicants up to $3,000 each to strengthen bids for federal R&D funding.
Status check, As of July 2026 the ACA FAST program page shows applications are closed, with no open round posted. When a round runs, it awards up to $3,000 each to six Arizona businesses for SBIR and STTR proposal work.
Last verified, Jul 29, 2026
Federal Grant Programs
These federal programs are available to small businesses in every state.
SBA 7(a) Loan Program
The SBA's primary lending program guarantees loans through participating lenders. This is a loan, not a grant. But the terms favor small businesses that may not qualify for conventional financing.
Status check, This is a loan program, not a grant. The 7(a) Loan Program provides loan guarantees to lenders for small business loans up to $5 million. Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis through participating SBA lenders.
Learn moreLast verified, Aug 3, 2026
SBA Microloan Program
Loans up to $50,000, not grants. You borrow from a nonprofit lender near you, not from the SBA itself. The money can cover working capital, inventory, supplies or equipment. Most people get far less than the cap. The average microloan is about $13,000.
Status check, Verified July 30, 2026 at sba.gov. Rates run 8 to 13 percent. The longest term allowed is seven years. Your lender sets both, not the SBA, so two owners can be quoted very different deals. There is no deadline. You apply through an SBA approved lender in your area.
Learn moreLast verified, Jul 30, 2026
SBIR/STTR Grants
Competitive federal grants for small businesses doing research and development with commercial potential. Eleven federal agencies take part. Phase I funds proof of concept. Phase II funds full development.
Status check, Verified July 30, 2026 at sbir.gov. Two different figures get quoted for this program and both are real. As of April 2026 an agency may award up to $323,090 at Phase I and up to $2,153,927 at Phase II without SBA approval, and anything above that needs a waiver. Those are ceilings, not typical awards. Each agency sets its own amounts in its own solicitation, and the sbir.gov agency table currently runs from $50,000 to $300,000 at Phase I and $400,000 to $1.83 million at Phase II. There is no single deadline. You apply through a participating agency.
Learn moreLast verified, Jul 30, 2026
Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) Programs
Help for minority owned businesses that need capital, contracts or new markets. MBDA runs business centers around the country. They give advice, help with bids, and point you toward lenders.
Status check, The business centers still run. The grants are a different story. Those windows are short, and they fund groups rather than single businesses. The last one we could find closed in February 2025. We found no open MBDA grant that a small business can apply for today.
View program pageLast verified, Jul 29, 2026
Get Grant-Ready
Before you apply, most Arizona grant programs expect these basics to be in place.
Form your business entity
Most Arizona grant programs require applicants to be a registered LLC, corporation, or nonprofit. If you haven't formed yet, that's the first step.
$39 + state fee. Includes registered agent, business address, and more.
Get your EIN
An Employer Identification Number is free from the IRS and required on nearly every grant application. You can apply online and receive it immediately.
Open a business bank account
Grant funds need to go into a dedicated business account, not your personal checking. Most agencies will ask for your banking details on the application.
Mercury is a fintech company, not an FDIC-insured bank. Banking services provided through Choice Financial Group and Column N.A., Members FDIC.
Grants by Business Type
Targeted programs for specific business owners in Arizona.
Technology/Innovation Business Grants
Tech startups have the most choices here. The Arizona Innovation Challenge awards $50,000 or more, and you keep your equity. The SBA-funded FAST Grant adds up to $3,000 for SBIR and STTR prep, though its application round is closed as of July 2026. The ACA SBIR and STTR Resource Center offers training and mentors.
- ›Arizona Innovation Challenge
- ›FAST Grant
- ›SBIR and STTR Resource Center
Rural Business Grants
Rural firms get a fair shot too. The Arizona Competes Fund sets aside at least 25% of its money for tribal lands and areas outside Maricopa County. The SSBCI Small Business Opportunity Program also targets rural and mining towns. Microbusinesses statewide can borrow through the state Microbusiness Loan Program.
- ›Arizona Competes Fund
- ›SSBCI Small Business Opportunity Program
- ›Microbusiness Loan Program
Women-owned Business Grants
Women entrepreneurs in Arizona can access general ACA programs and national grants such as the Amber Grant, which provides $10,000 monthly and a $25,000 annual prize. The Arizona SBDC Network also offers free counseling to women business owners.
- ›Arizona Commerce Authority
- ›Arizona SBDC Network
Minority-owned Business Grants
Underserved small business owners can access the SSBCI Small Business Opportunity Program, which allocated $7.9 million to Arizona for technical assistance and capital access. The federal MBDA also offers programs for minority-owned businesses.
- ›SSBCI Small Business Opportunity Program
- ›Minority Business Development Agency
Tips for Applying in Arizona
Increase your chances of approval with these state-specific tips.
- 1Ensure your business is in good standing with the Arizona Corporation Commission before applying to any ACA program. This is a requirement for grant recipients.
- 2For innovation grants like the AIC, your company must have at least 2 but no more than 29 employees and be working toward commercialization of a unique technology.
- 3Use the free Arizona SBDC Network advisors at one of 10 community college centers statewide to review your application and business plan before submitting.
- 4Monitor the ACA website (azcommerce.com) regularly for application windows. The Arizona Innovation Challenge typically opens for applications in mid-year, and FAST Grant rounds open multiple times per year.
- 5Prepare a strong business plan with clear revenue projections. For the AIC, you must demonstrate that your product or service will generate commercial revenue within 12 months of receiving funding.
State Economic Development Agency
Arizona Commerce Authority (ACA)
The Arizona Commerce Authority is the state's leading economic development organization, providing grants, incentives, and business support programs to attract, expand, and create businesses in Arizona.
Funding While You Wait
Grant applications in Arizona can take weeks or months to process. These options can bridge the gap.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Arizona offers several true grant programs that do not require repayment. The Arizona Innovation Challenge awards a minimum of $50,000 in non-dilutive funding to technology startups. The FAST Grant provides up to $3,000 to help entrepreneurs prepare SBIR/STTR proposals. The Arizona Competes Fund also issues grants for business attraction, expansion, and small business support, though recipients must meet performance targets outlined in a written agreement with the ACA.
The Arizona Innovation Challenge is the best known competitive grant in the state. It has drawn more than 3,000 applicants since 2010 and selects up to 10 awardees each cohort, each receiving a minimum of $50,000. Exporters can also use the Arizona State Trade Expansion Program (AZ STEP), which reimburses the cost of entering new international markets. Both are run by the Arizona Commerce Authority.
Most Arizona grant programs administered by the ACA do not require minority or women-owned certification to apply. The Arizona Innovation Challenge, FAST Grant, and AZ STEP are open to all eligible Arizona businesses regardless of ownership demographics. However, the SSBCI Small Business Opportunity Program specifically targets underserved and very small businesses. Obtaining certification through the ACA can also qualify your business for the Angel Investment Tax Credit program.
Timelines vary by program. The Arizona Innovation Challenge runs in cohorts that span several months, with a 12-week accelerator phase before funding is released once milestones are met. The AZ STEP program reimburses approved export costs after the activity, so timing depends on when you submit receipts. For rolling options like the Microbusiness Loan Program, approval depends on the regional lending partner you apply through.
About the Author
Senior Finance & Banking Editor
Richard is the veteran anchor of the site's financial content. Raised in the Midwest and starting his career in Chicago's commercial banking sector, he spent over a decade underwriting small business loans before moving into financial journalism. He doesn't get swept up in startup hype; he cares about unit economics, APYs, and fee structures.
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Grant programs change frequently. Deadlines, eligibility requirements, and funding amounts listed here may be outdated. Always verify information directly with the granting agency before applying. This page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial or legal advice.
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