Small Business Grants in Michigan
Michigan runs its small business funding through the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) and its network of local partners. Not all of it is a grant.
Michigan runs its small business funding through the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) and its network of local partners. Not all of it is a grant. Each one below is labelled by type and status. Whether you are launching a downtown storefront or adopting advanced manufacturing technology, Michigan has funding designed to help your business grow.
Which Michigan 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.
Michigan Small Business Grant Programs
State-administered funding programs available to Michigan small businesses. Verify deadlines directly with the granting agency before applying.
Michigan State Trade Expansion Program (MI-STEP)
Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC)
Up to $15,000 annually (75% reimbursement)
RollingA reimbursement grant providing up to $15,000 annually for exporting activities such as trade shows, international sales trips, shipping product samples, compliance testing, and marketing to global audiences.
Status check, Open. Checked at the MEDC International Trade page on 24 August 2026, which lists the MI-STEP Financial Assistance Award at 75 percent reimbursement up to $15,000 annually for eligible small businesses on export related activities. Applications run on a rolling basis through the MEDC International Trade team, and eligibility is checked through the MI-STEP page linked below.
Automated check, Aug 24, 2026
Motor City Match
Detroit Economic Growth Corporation (DEGC)
$25,000 - $100,000
Deadline Oct 1, 2026Provides gap funding grants to entrepreneurs opening or expanding brick-and-mortar businesses in Detroit. The programme reports $21 million awarded across 30 rounds, 2,236 businesses served since 2016 and 203 businesses opened.
Status check, Round 33 opens September 1 and closes October 1, 2026, with awards announced by the end of December. Detroit businesses only.
Automated check, Aug 25, 2026
SSBCI Technical Assistance Grant Program
Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC)
Free services (funded by $5.2 million federal allocation)
RollingProvides free legal, accounting, and financial advisory services to small businesses through nine contracted technical assistance providers statewide. Prioritizes businesses owned by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals.
Status check, PDF shows SSBCI Technical Assistance Grant Program approval document. Michigan received $5.2 million federal allocation. Document appears to be an approval notice rather than application guidelines, but confirms program funding is allocated.
Automated check, Aug 22, 2026
Michigan Translational Research and Commercialization (MTRAC) Program
Michigan Strategic Fund / MEDC
$30,000 - $250,000
Varies by Innovation HubFunds translational research projects with high commercial potential through five Innovation Hubs in life sciences, advanced transportation, advanced materials, ag-bio, and advanced computing. Open to researchers at Michigan public universities and nonprofit research centers.
Status check, MTRAC is active, administered through five Innovation Hubs for universities, hospitals, and nonprofit research centers. Deadlines vary by hub with no single statewide date found. No evidence of closure or discontinuation.
Automated check, Aug 26, 2026
Match on Main Grant Program
Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC)
Up to $25,000
Deadline Apr 24, 2026A reimbursement grant program supporting new or expanding place-based businesses in Certified Redevelopment Ready or Michigan Main Street communities. Funds cover interior and exterior renovations and working capital.
Status check, The application window was March 1 to April 24, 2026. FY26 awardees have already been announced. The page states this was the most recent funding round with 152 applications submitted.
Automated check, Aug 20, 2026
Small Business Support Hubs
Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC)
Varies by hub region
Deadline Jun 1, 2026A statewide network of 27 regional hubs providing programming, mentoring, and direct business assistance grants to small businesses and entrepreneurs. Backed by $11.3 million in state funding for the next phase.
Status check, The SBSH program remains active with existing hubs operating through September 30, 2026. The 2026 hub organization application window closed June 1, 2026. Small businesses access funds via local hubs, not directly through MEDC. No new statewide deadline posted.
Automated check, Aug 26, 2026
Industry 4.0 Technology Implementation Grant
Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC)
Up to $25,000 (50% reimbursement)
ClosedProvides 50% reimbursement for qualifying Industry 4.0 technology costs to small manufacturers. Eligible technologies include AI, robotics, additive manufacturing, cybersecurity, and cloud computing.
Status check, Closed. Checked at the MEDC programme page on 24 August 2026, which says the grant program provided 50 percent reimbursement up to $25,000 and that the application is currently closed. MEDC uses the past tense throughout and names no reopening date. Funding was allocated on a rolling basis until exhausted. Our row had carried the scaffold default of unknown with a Rolling badge, so the page was offering a closed programme as its featured grant.
Automated check, Aug 24, 2026
Trusted Connector Grant Program
Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC)
Up to $250,000 per organization
ClosedProvides grants to chambers of commerce and member-based organizations that support under-represented small businesses and tech-based entrepreneurs. The most recent round awarded $6.8 million to 23 organizations across Michigan.
Status check, The most recent application round closed March 21 2025 for intermediary organizations, with 23 awardees announced in May 2025 totaling $6.8 million. No new round is open or scheduled. Program does not fund small businesses directly. Status corrected on August 21, 2026. The row carried verification_status "unknown", the scaffold default, while its own deadline text said the programme was closed, so the page was offering it as applyable. Closed is the safe reading and it matches what a verifier wrote in the deadline text. Re-verify at the agency before reopening it.
Automated check, Aug 21, 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 moreAutomated check, Aug 25, 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 moreAutomated check, Aug 21, 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 moreAutomated check, Aug 21, 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 pageAutomated check, Aug 19, 2026
Get Grant-Ready
Before you apply, most Michigan grant programs expect these basics to be in place.
Form your business entity
Most Michigan 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 Michigan.
Women-owned Business Grants
Women-owned businesses in Michigan can access the SSBCI Technical Assistance program through providers like Great Lakes Women's Business Council and Michigan Women Forward. Motor City Match in Detroit reports that 70% of its grant recipients are women-owned businesses.
- ›SSBCI Technical Assistance Grant Program
- ›Motor City Match
- ›Michigan Women Forward
Minority-owned Business Grants
Michigan has dedicated resources for minority entrepreneurs, including the Trusted Connector Grant program and SSBCI TA providers like the Metro Detroit Black Business Alliance and Michigan Minority Supplier Development Council. Motor City Match awards 85% of its grants to minority-owned businesses.
- ›Trusted Connector Grant Program
- ›Motor City Match
- ›SSBCI Technical Assistance Grant Program
Veteran-owned Business Grants
Veteran-owned businesses in Michigan can access capital through MEDC's loan programs for veterans who do not qualify for traditional financing. The National Veteran Business Development Council is also a Trusted Connector grant recipient in Michigan.
- ›MEDC Capital Access Programs
- ›National Veteran Business Development Council
Rural Business Grants
Michigan's Upper Peninsula and northern Lower Peninsula communities benefit from Small Business Support Hubs. USDA's Rural Business Development Grant reaches them too, but through the town or a non profit, since for profit firms cannot apply. The MEDC's Match on Main program specifically targets downtown revitalization in smaller communities.
- ›Small Business Support Hubs
- ›Match on Main
Technology/Innovation Business Grants
Tech startups in Michigan can access MTRAC grants through five Innovation Hubs, along with SmartZone resources. Advanced manufacturers have less to work with than they did, since MEDC has closed the Industry 4.0 Technology Implementation Grant. The SSBCI Small Business Venture Capital Program provides up to $75 million for early-stage technology businesses.
- ›MTRAC Program
- ›Industry 4.0 Technology Implementation Grant
- ›SSBCI Small Business Venture Capital Program
Tips for Applying in Michigan
Increase your chances of approval with these state-specific tips.
- 1Register your business with the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) and obtain a Certificate of Good Standing before applying for MEDC programs.
- 2Connect with your nearest Small Business Support Hub or Michigan SBDC regional office for free one-on-one consulting and help identifying eligible grant programs. Call 833-522-0025 to reach the SBDC.
- 3Most MEDC grants are reimbursement-based, MI-STEP among them. Plan to cover the eligible costs upfront and submit invoices for reimbursement after the project is finished, and get approval before you spend.
- 4Check MEDC's SmartZone eligibility map to determine if your business location qualifies for additional incentives and programs.
- 5Prepare a detailed project budget, timeline, and anticipated outcomes. MEDC scoring criteria heavily weight well-defined plans with clear community or economic impact.
State Economic Development Agency
Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC)
MEDC is Michigan's lead economic development agency, providing grants, capital access, workforce support, and community development services to businesses of all sizes statewide.
Funding While You Wait
Grant applications in Michigan can take weeks or months to process. These options can bridge the gap.
Grants in Other States
All state grant guidesFrequently Asked Questions
Yes, though fewer than most Michigan guides suggest. Motor City Match in Detroit awards cash grants from $25,000 to $100,000 or more, with Round 33 open September 1 to October 1, 2026, and MI-STEP reimburses exporters 75 percent of eligible export costs up to $15,000 a year. Match on Main and the Industry 4.0 manufacturing grant were the two easy answers to this question and MEDC has closed both. Most MEDC grants are reimbursement based, so you pay the eligible costs first and claim afterwards with documentation.
For Detroit businesses it is Motor City Match, which has awarded $21 million to 2,236 businesses since 2016 and opens Round 33 on September 1, 2026. Statewide the honest answer is thinner than it used to be. Match on Main was the programme most Michigan guides named and it is closed, which leaves MI-STEP for exporters and the Small Business Support Hubs for advice rather than money. MEDC closed the Industry 4.0 grant as well, so manufacturers looking for a grant are down to the federal SBIR and STTR programmes.
No. Michigan grant programmes including MI-STEP and Motor City Match are open to all eligible small businesses regardless of who owns them. The SSBCI Technical Assistance programme does prioritise businesses owned by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals. Certification through the Michigan Minority Supplier Development Council or Michigan Women Forward is not required for any of these, though it opens doors to other resources and contracting networks.
Timelines vary. MI-STEP takes applications on a rolling basis through the MEDC International Trade team, and approval has to come before you spend the money you want reimbursed. Motor City Match runs competitive rounds, and Round 33 closes on October 1, 2026 with applicants notified by December 31. Because most Michigan grants are reimbursement based, the money arrives only after you finish the project and submit proof of eligible spending, so plan on two to six months from application to funds.
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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