Small Business Grants in Delaware
The funding programmes below are administered mainly by the Delaware Division of Small Business (DSB). Some of it is not free money.
Which Delaware grants fit your business?
Answer 7 quick questions and we sort the 12 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.
Delaware Small Business Grant Programs
State-administered funding programs available to Delaware small businesses. Verify deadlines directly with the granting agency before applying.
Delaware Strategic Fund
Delaware Division of Small Business / Council on Development Finance
Varies by project (FY 2026 allocation: $34.7M)
RollingNot a grant programme. Delaware bundles customised grants with low interest loans under one fund and does not publish a split, so what you receive depends entirely on how your project is negotiated. It is the state's primary source for business retention and expansion, aimed at projects that measurably grow Delaware's economy, and applications are reviewed by the Council on Development Finance. Treat it as a negotiation, not an application.
Status check, Delaware Strategic Fund supports business retention and expansion through grants and low-interest loans. Applications must go before the Council on Development Finance. No specific deadline mentioned, appears to accept applications on rolling basis.
Last verified, Jul 29, 2026
Delaware Technical Innovation Program (DTIP)
Delaware Division of Small Business
Varies (transition grants)
RollingOffers transition grants for companies that have completed Phase I and applied for Phase II of the federal SBIR or STTR programs. Helps bridge funding gaps as companies work to bring new products to market.
Status check, Page describes DTIP as offering transition grants for companies that have completed Phase I and applied for Phase II of federal SBIR or STTR programs. No specific deadline mentioned, consistent with rolling basis.
Last verified, Jul 29, 2026
Delaware Site Readiness Fund
Delaware Division of Small Business
Up to $10,000,000 (fund total)
RollingPromotes economic growth by investing in commercial and industrial site development. Provides grants, loans, or other financial assistance for constructing, renovating, or improving infrastructure that attracts or expands businesses.
Status check, The page describes the Delaware Site Readiness Fund as an active program providing grants, loans, or other economic assistance. Applicants are directed to the state economic development site for program details and the application.
Last verified, Jul 30, 2026
State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI)
Delaware Division of Small Business
Up to $1,000,000 (Accelerator/Seed Capital Program)
RollingNot a grant programme. This is $60.9 million of federal SSBCI money that Delaware puts to work as equity and as lending, across four sub programmes. The Accelerator and Seed Capital Program buys a stake in high impact startups. The loan participation programmes back businesses that cannot get a conventional bank loan. Both leave you owing money or owning less of your company.
Status check, The Delaware Accelerator and Seed Capital Program (DASCP) makes direct investments of up to $1 million in companies after they complete their seed round of funding. No specific deadline mentioned, appears to be ongoing.
Last verified, Jul 29, 2026
Brownfield Assistance Program
Delaware Division of Small Business
Up to $100,000 (matching grant, up to 50% of costs)
RollingOffers matching grants to property owners and developers to encourage redevelopment of environmentally stressed sites. Limited to $1,000,000 in aggregate per fiscal year.
Status check, Page lists Brownfield Assistance Program as offering matching grants to property owners and developers to encourage redevelopment of environmentally stressed sites. No deadline specified on page.
Last verified, Aug 5, 2026
EDGE Grant Competition
Delaware Division of Small Business
Up to $100,000 (STEM) or $50,000 (Entrepreneur)
March 2026Delaware's flagship grant program awards funding through a competitive pitch process. STEM businesses can receive up to $100,000 and Entrepreneur Class businesses up to $50,000, with a 3-to-1 state match. Businesses must have 10 or fewer employees and be at least 51% based in Delaware.
Status check, Page says Fall Round of EDGE 2.0 is coming and to check back for updates. No current deadline posted. Award amounts now up to 400K Entrepreneur and 750K STEM total pools.
Last verified, Aug 4, 2026
Delaware Grocery Initiative (First State Food System Program)
Delaware Division of Small Business
$5,000 - $12,500 per grant ($700,000 total pool for 2026)
Deadline Mar 31, 2026Provides grants to food businesses and organizations operating in or near food deserts. Funds can be used for operations, equipment, capital expenses, and projects that expand supply chain capacity.
Status check, Cycle 5 awards were announced in May 2026 for 28 organizations receiving $700,000 total. The March 2026 application deadline has passed and awards have been distributed.
Last verified, Jul 29, 2026
Workforce Training Grant
Delaware Division of Small Business
Up to $100,000 per project
ClosedA matching program that funds specialized training for companies. Currently paused while DSB aligns the program with other state initiatives. Check back with DSB for updates on when the program reopens.
Status check, Page states the Workforce Training Grant is PAUSED. DSB is meeting with state and other partners to ensure programs are aligned and not duplicative. Check back later for updates.
Last verified, Aug 5, 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 Delaware grant programs expect these basics to be in place.
Form your business entity
Most Delaware 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 Delaware.
Women-owned Business Grants
Women-owned businesses in Delaware can get certified through the Office of Supplier Diversity (OSD) at no cost, which increases visibility for state procurement opportunities. The EDGE Grant Competition has historically supported women-owned businesses.
- ›Office of Supplier Diversity
- ›EDGE Grant Competition
Minority-owned Business Grants
Minority-owned businesses can obtain free OSD certification for state contracting advantages. Delaware's SSBCI programs also prioritize businesses owned by socially and economically disadvantaged persons.
- ›Office of Supplier Diversity
- ›State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI)
Veteran-owned Business Grants
Veteran-owned and service-disabled veteran-owned businesses can apply for OSD certification in Delaware, which opens access to state procurement preferences. The SBA Delaware District Office also offers specific veteran-focused resources.
- ›Office of Supplier Diversity
- ›SBA Delaware District Office
Technology/Innovation Business Grants
Delaware provides strong support for tech and innovation startups through the EDGE Grant (up to $100,000 for STEM businesses), the Delaware Technical Innovation Program (DTIP) for SBIR/STTR recipients, and the SSBCI Accelerator and Seed Capital Program with direct investments up to $1 million.
- ›EDGE Grant Competition
- ›Delaware Technical Innovation Program
- ›SSBCI Accelerator and Seed Capital Program
Rural Business Grants
Businesses in Kent and Sussex counties can access Delaware's food-focused programs like the Grocery Initiative. USDA's Rural Business Development Grant is not one of them, it bars for profit applicants. DSB has dedicated Regional Business Managers for each county.
- ›Delaware Grocery Initiative
- ›Delaware Division of Small Business
Tips for Applying in Delaware
Increase your chances of approval with these state-specific tips.
- 1Create your own account on the DSB portal (business.delaware.gov) using your business email. If you work with a grant writer, ensure you are the authorized account holder for proper authorization.
- 2Get certified through Delaware's Office of Supplier Diversity (OSD) at de.gov/osd if your business qualifies as minority, women, veteran, or disabled-owned. Certification is free and increases your visibility for state procurement.
- 3Contact your assigned DSB Regional Business Manager before applying. Delaware has county-based managers covering New Castle, Kent, and Sussex counties who provide free, one-on-one assistance.
- 4For the EDGE Grant, prepare a strong pitch. The program uses a competitive pitch competition format, and your business must be under 7 years old with 10 or fewer full-time staff.
- 5The Delaware SBDC (delawaresbdc.org) provides free consulting on grant applications, business planning, and SBIR/STTR proposals. Schedule an advising session before applying to strengthen your application.
State Economic Development Agency
Delaware Division of Small Business (DSB)
The Delaware Division of Small Business is a service-focused state agency committed to helping businesses start and grow in Delaware through one-on-one counseling, grant programs, incentives, and connections to resources.
Funding While You Wait
Grant applications in Delaware can take weeks or months to process. These options can bridge the gap.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Delaware offers several true grant programs that do not need to be repaid. The EDGE Grant Competition, administered by the Division of Small Business, awards up to $100,000 to STEM businesses and up to $50,000 to Entrepreneur Class businesses. The Delaware Grocery Initiative provides grants of $5,000 to $12,500 for food-related businesses. The Brownfield Assistance Program also offers matching grants of up to $100,000 for redevelopment of environmentally stressed properties.
The EDGE Grant Competition is the Division of Small Business's flagship funding program and the most accessible grant for Delaware small businesses. It runs twice per year and awards grants to up to 10 businesses per round (5 STEM and 5 Entrepreneur). Since 2019, the program has awarded $7.25 million to 110 small businesses across Delaware.
No. Most Delaware grant programs, including the EDGE Grant Competition and the Delaware Strategic Fund, are open to all eligible small businesses regardless of ownership demographics. However, obtaining free certification through Delaware's Office of Supplier Diversity (OSD) can provide advantages for state procurement opportunities and access to SSBCI programs that prioritize socially and economically disadvantaged business owners.
Timelines vary by program. The EDGE Grant Competition runs on a set schedule with application deadlines in early spring, followed by a review and pitch process. Awards are typically announced within a few months of the deadline. For the Delaware Strategic Fund, applications go before the Council on Development Finance, and the review process can take several months depending on project complexity. Contact your DSB Regional Business Manager for the most current timelines.
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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