Small Business Grants in Mississippi
Almost all of Mississippi's small business funding flows through one $86 million pool, called SSBCI. Grants are the exception here.
Which Mississippi 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.
Mississippi Small Business Grant Programs
State-administered funding programs available to Mississippi small businesses. Verify deadlines directly with the granting agency before applying.
InvestMS Direct Investment Program for Startups
Innovate Mississippi / MDA
$50,000-$1,000,000 (1:1 match)
RollingProvides equity co-investments to Mississippi-based Pre-Seed, Seed, and Series A startups. Funded through a $11 million SSBCI allocation, the program matches private investor capital on a 1:1 basis, with larger deals eligible for up to $3 million with a $1 million SSBCI match.
Status check, Program accepts applications on a rolling basis with no fixed deadline. Page states they are always on the lookout for new applications and review them regularly.
Last verified, Jul 29, 2026
ConnectMS Technical Assistance Program
MDA / Innovate Mississippi / Mississippi SBDC
Free technical assistance (no cash grant)
RollingA $7 million initiative spanning all 82 Mississippi counties that provides entrepreneurial education, one-on-one counseling, pitch events, and access to the FoundersPlus webinar series and CoBuilders Accelerator. Prioritizes very small and underserved businesses.
Status check, ConnectMS provides technical assistance and resources to Mississippi small businesses through regional clusters and partners. Intake form available for entrepreneurs to access support services.
Last verified, Jul 29, 2026
Mississippi CDFI Small Business Loan Fund
Mississippi Development Authority
Varies by CDFI lender
RollingAllocated $45 million under SSBCI, this program provides capital to community development financial institutions (including Culleywood Capital, Renaissance Community Loan Fund, and Hope Enterprise Corporation) which in turn lend to Mississippi small businesses and startups. Note: this is a loan program, not a grant.
Status check, Mississippi CDFI Small Business Loan Fund is part of the active SSBCI program with $45 million allocated to provide loans through CDFIs to Mississippi small businesses. No specific deadline mentioned.
Last verified, Jul 30, 2026
Small Business Loan Guarantee Program (SBLGP)
Mississippi Development Authority
$50,000+ (guarantees up to 80%)
RollingAllocated $15 million under SSBCI, this program provides loan guarantees to banks and lenders for term loans or lines of credit to new or existing Mississippi small businesses. Guarantees cover up to 80% for fixed assets and up to 50% for working capital. Note: this is a loan guarantee, not a grant.
Status check, Page describes Small Business Loan Guarantee Program with $15 million allocation providing loan guarantees to banks and lenders. No application deadline specified, appears to be ongoing program under SSBCI.
Apply / Learn MoreLast verified, Jul 30, 2026
Minority Business Enterprise Loan Program
Mississippi Development Authority
Up to $250,000
RollingProvides loans of up to $250,000 (or 50% of total project cost) to minority-owned and women-owned businesses for land, buildings, machinery, equipment, or working capital. Applicants must be Mississippi residents and at least 60% owned by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals.
Status check, Page lists the Minority Business Enterprise Loan Program among several loan programs but provides no specific details about application status, deadlines, or current availability. States No information available at the moment.
Last verified, Jul 30, 2026
Minority Business Micro Loan Program
Mississippi Development Authority
$5,000-$35,000
RollingProvides loans from $5,000 to $35,000 for startup or expansion of minority-owned and women-owned small businesses. Funds can cover inventory, working capital, and machinery and equipment for manufacturers, warehouses, distribution centers, and retail businesses.
Status check, Program page is live and describes the Minority Business Micro Loan Program with maximum loan amount of $35,000. No specific deadline mentioned, consistent with rolling basis.
Last verified, Jul 30, 2026
Mississippi Industrial Energy Efficiency Program (MIEEP)
Mississippi Development Authority
$15,000-$50,000
Deadline Jul 14, 2023Provides matching grants of up to 50% of total project costs to for-profit manufacturers in Mississippi for energy efficiency upgrades. Eligible projects include lighting, HVAC, water heating, and energy systems improvements.
Status check, The last MIEEP application round closed July 14, 2023 at 5 p.m. CDT. No subsequent funding round or new FOA has been announced. The program is not currently accepting applications but has not been formally discontinued.
Last verified, Aug 5, 2026
InvestMS Venture Capital Fund Program
Innovate Mississippi
Up to $15,000,000 (fund-level)
Deadline Jan 29, 2026Allocated $15 million under SSBCI, this program invests in venture capital funds that support Mississippi-based startups. The goal is to attract and retain high-growth businesses by expanding the available venture capital in the state.
Status check, The page listed an application deadline of January 29, 2026, which has passed. Rolling applications are also referenced, so check the program directly for the current status.
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 Mississippi grant programs expect these basics to be in place.
Form your business entity
Most Mississippi 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 Mississippi.
Minority-owned Business Grants
Minority owners have options. Mississippi has several programs built for them. The Minority Business Enterprise Loan goes up to $250,000. The Micro Loan runs from $5,000 to $35,000. MDA also handles MBE and WBE certification, which can open up more contract work.
- ›Minority Business Enterprise Loan Program
- ›Minority Business Micro Loan Program
- ›MDA Minority and Small Business Development Division
Women-owned Business Grants
Women owners qualify too. They can use both the Minority Business Enterprise Loan and the Micro Loan through MDA. The SSBCI-funded ConnectMS program also puts underserved founders first, women owners included.
- ›Minority Business Enterprise Loan Program
- ›ConnectMS Technical Assistance Program
- ›MDA Minority and Small Business Development Division
Rural Business Grants
Much of Mississippi is rural, so many businesses qualify for USDA rural programs. The ConnectMS project reaches all 82 counties. It gives rural founders local help and coaching on raising money.
- ›ConnectMS Technical Assistance Program
- ›Mississippi SBDC Network
Technology/Innovation Business Grants
Tech startups can raise equity through InvestMS. It matches $50,000 to $1 million for Pre-Seed through Series A companies. The InvestMS Venture Capital Fund adds another $15 million through startup-focused funds.
- ›InvestMS Direct Investment Program
- ›InvestMS Venture Capital Fund Program
- ›Innovate Mississippi
Tips for Applying in Mississippi
Increase your chances of approval with these state-specific tips.
- 1Set up the basics first. Register with the Mississippi Secretary of State. You also need a real office in the state to apply for InvestMS or other SSBCI programs.
- 2Minority-owned or women-owned? Get MBE or WBE certified through MDA. Call the Minority and Small Business Development Division at (601) 359-3448. You need this for the Minority Business Enterprise Loan.
- 3Call the Mississippi SBDC Network first. Their one-on-one help is free. Advisors can help you build a business plan, budgets, and loan paperwork.
- 4For the energy grant, you must send an energy audit with your application. MDA can help pay for the audit.
- 5InvestMS needs a lead investor first. That investor must put in at least $50,000 before you apply for matching funds. The process takes about 90 days.
State Economic Development Agency
Mississippi Development Authority (MDA)
MDA is Mississippi's lead economic and community development agency, providing business recruitment, workforce training, small business loans, minority business support, and energy programs statewide.
Funding While You Wait
Grant applications in Mississippi can take weeks or months to process. These options can bridge the gap.
Frequently Asked Questions
A few do exist. The state energy grant, called MIEEP, gives manufacturers $15,000 to $50,000 to cut energy use. You do not pay it back. ConnectMS is free help, not cash. Most other state programs are loans or loan guarantees. Some federal programs, like SBIR and STTR grants, also do not need to be repaid.
Most state funding flows through one pool, called SSBCI. It holds $86 million. The three biggest parts are the CDFI loan fund at $45 million, the loan guarantee program at $15 million, and InvestMS equity deals at $26 million. For a true grant, the energy grant is the best-known state option. It is only for manufacturers.
Only for some programs. You need MBE or WBE certification to use the Minority Business Enterprise Loan and the Micro Loan. To qualify, your business must be at least 51% owned and run by people who are disadvantaged. Many other programs do not need it. These include InvestMS, the loan guarantee program, and the energy grant.
It depends on the program. An InvestMS equity deal usually takes about 90 days. The energy grant runs on a yearly cycle, so it can take several months. SSBCI loans go through outside lenders, and their speed varies. Ask the Mississippi SBDC for help to move faster.
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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