Small Business Grants in Nevada
Most small business funding in Nevada is administered by the Nevada Governor's Office of Economic Development (GOED). Read each card first.
Which Nevada 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.
Nevada Small Business Grant Programs
State-administered funding programs available to Nevada small businesses. Verify deadlines directly with the granting agency before applying.
Nevada Export Grants (STEP Program)
GOED International Trade Division / U.S. Small Business Administration
$2,500–$6,000
RollingReimbursement-based grants for Nevada small businesses entering or expanding in international markets. Programs include the ExportEd Grant (up to $2,500), Nevada Goods Grant (up to $5,000), and Trade Mission Assistance Grant (up to $6,000).
Status check, Application form is live and accepting submissions. Page states this is a reimbursement grant funded through cooperative agreement with U.S. Small Business Administration. No specific deadline mentioned, consistent with rolling basis.
Last verified, Jul 31, 2026
Workforce Innovations for a New Nevada (WINN) Fund
Nevada Governor's Office of Economic Development (GOED)
$60,000–$1,500,000
RollingWINN funds workforce development training programs through university-business partnerships in high-demand fields including healthcare, manufacturing, logistics, and mining. Since its inception, WINN has invested more than $17 million in strategic workforce training across Nevada.
Status check, Page states authorized providers may make a pre-application for funding at any time. Complete applications are due 30 days before the next scheduled GOED Board Meeting. Rolling basis confirmed.
Last verified, Jul 30, 2026
Battle Born Venture (SSBCI Venture Capital Program)
Nevada Governor's Office of Economic Development (GOED)
$200,000–$2,000,000
RollingNevada's state venture capital program co-invests alongside professional venture capital firms in high-growth Nevada startups raising seed, Series A, or Series B rounds. Note: this is an equity investment, not a grant.
Status check, Program is accepting applications on a rolling basis. Page states they are resuming investing and expect to be busy over the next few months. Investment range is $200k-$1m per company.
Last verified, Jul 30, 2026
Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program
GOED Rural Community & Economic Development Division / HUD
Varies by project
RollingFederally funded grants administered by GOED for rural Nevada communities with populations under 50,000. Funds support economic development, infrastructure, and assistance to micro-enterprises in underserved areas.
Status check, The CDBG application process is year long starting with eligibility in July, applications due in February, and awarded projects starting the following July. Rolling basis program for rural Nevada communities.
Last verified, Jul 31, 2026
Emerging Small Business (ESB) Certification Program
Nevada Governor's Office of Economic Development (GOED)
Certification (no direct funding)
RollingA state-recognized certification that helps small businesses compete for local and state government contracts. Available to Tier 1 businesses (fewer than 20 employees) and Tier 2 businesses (fewer than 30 employees).
Status check, The Emerging Small Business certification program is listed as an active program. Page states it seeks to assist small businesses in obtaining work with state and local government agencies. No specific deadline mentioned.
Last verified, Jul 31, 2026
SSBCI Small Business Opportunity Program (SBOP)
GOED / U.S. Department of the Treasury
$4.2 million total program
RollingA $4.2 million federal award providing technical assistance to small businesses in key sectors including clean energy, healthcare, and advanced manufacturing. Services are delivered in partnership with the Nevada SBDC.
Status check, The federal SBOP application deadline for jurisdictions was June 3, 2024, and the Grants.gov listing is now archived. Awards of $75M were announced September 2024. No open Nevada-specific SBOP application for small businesses was found.
Last verified, Aug 2, 2026
Knowledge Fund / SAGE Program
GOED / University of Nevada, Reno / UNLV
Free technical assistance (helps access $225,000–$750,000 in SBIR/STTR grants)
RollingThe SAGE program, funded by GOED's Knowledge Fund, provides mentorship and technical support to help Nevada tech businesses apply for federal SBIR and STTR grants. Phase 1 grants offer up to $225,000 and Phase 2 grants up to $750,000.
Status check, The SAGE program (North and South) is open to Nevada technology-based small businesses with fewer than 500 employees, with no posted deadline found. UNLV and UNR pages describe a rolling application process via online submission forms, with no indication of closure or pause.
Last verified, Aug 1, 2026
Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP)
Nevada Department of Agriculture / USDA
Up to $273,500 total annually
RollingGrants for projects that enhance the competitiveness of Nevada's specialty crops including fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, and nursery crops. Funded by the USDA and administered through the Nevada Department of Agriculture.
Status check, The FY 2026 Nevada SCBGP application cycle is closed per USDA AMS and the Nevada Department of Agriculture page. No future deadline is posted. Program is not discontinued but current cycle is not accepting applications.
Last verified, Jul 28, 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 Nevada grant programs expect these basics to be in place.
Form your business entity
Most Nevada 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 Nevada.
Women-owned Business Grants
Women entrepreneurs in Nevada can access the Nevada Women's Business Center for free business education and training. The Farm2Food Accelerator, funded through the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program, specifically supports women in developing value-added food and beverage products.
- ›Nevada Women's Business Center
- ›Farm2Food Accelerator Program
Rural Business Grants
Rural Nevada businesses benefit from GOED's Rural Community and Economic Development Division, which administers CDBG funds for communities under 50,000 in population. The SSBCI Small Business Opportunity Program also targets rural and Tribal businesses with technical assistance services.
- ›CDBG Program
- ›SSBCI Small Business Opportunity Program
- ›Rural Nevada Development Corporation
Technology/Innovation Business Grants
Tech startups in Nevada can access the SAGE program for free SBIR/STTR application support, Battle Born Venture for co-investment capital, and accelerator programs through StartUpNV and gener8tor with guaranteed $100,000 investments per cohort.
- ›SAGE Program
- ›Battle Born Venture
- ›StartUpNV
- ›Knowledge Fund
Minority-owned Business Grants
Minority entrepreneurs in Nevada can access programs like the Audacity Fund Reno, which provides financial resources and mentorship. The SSBCI programs prioritize underserved and very small businesses, and MBDA resources are available through regional business centers.
- ›Audacity Fund Reno
- ›SSBCI Programs
- ›MBDA
Veteran-owned Business Grants
Veteran-owned businesses in Nevada can access SBA-backed programs through the Nevada SBA District Office, which has locations in Las Vegas and Carson City. The Emerging Small Business certification may also help veteran entrepreneurs compete for government contracts.
- ›SBA Nevada District Office
- ›Emerging Small Business Certification
Tips for Applying in Nevada
Increase your chances of approval with these state-specific tips.
- 1Register your business on Nevada's SilverFlume portal (nvsilverflume.gov) to obtain your Nevada Business License, which is required for most state grant and incentive programs.
- 2Apply for Emerging Small Business (ESB) certification through GOED before bidding on state or local government contracts. Certification is available for businesses with fewer than 30 employees.
- 3For export grants, keep all receipts and invoices for eligible expenses since the STEP program reimburses costs rather than providing upfront funding.
- 4Connect with the Nevada SBDC (nevadasbdc.org) for free one-on-one advising on grant applications, business plans, and financial projections before applying to any program.
- 5If you are a tech startup, contact the SAGE program at UNR or UNLV before applying for federal SBIR/STTR grants. SAGE provides free mentorship to strengthen your proposal.
State Economic Development Agency
Nevada Governor's Office of Economic Development (GOED)
GOED promotes a robust, diversified economy in Nevada by stimulating business expansion and retention, encouraging entrepreneurial enterprise, and facilitating community development.
Funding While You Wait
Grant applications in Nevada can take weeks or months to process. These options can bridge the gap.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, Nevada offers several grant programs that do not require repayment. The Workforce Innovations for a New Nevada (WINN) fund provides grants for workforce training programs, and the Nevada Export Grants (STEP Program) reimburse eligible export-related expenses. The Specialty Crop Block Grant Program also provides non-repayable funding for agricultural projects. However, many of Nevada's highest-profile small business programs, such as the Battle Born Growth Microloan Program and Battle Born Venture, are loans or equity investments rather than grants.
The Nevada Export Grants through the STEP Program are among the most accessible grants for Nevada small businesses, offering reimbursement of $2,500 to $6,000 for international trade activities. The WINN fund is another significant program, having invested more than $17 million in workforce training since its inception. For tech businesses, the SAGE program helps access federal SBIR/STTR grants of up to $750,000. Contact the Nevada Governor's Office of Economic Development (GOED) or the Nevada SBDC for help identifying the best fit for your business.
No. Most Nevada grant and incentive programs do not require minority or women-owned business certification. However, obtaining the Emerging Small Business (ESB) certification through GOED can give your business a competitive advantage when pursuing state and local government contracts. The ESB program is available to Tier 1 (fewer than 20 employees) and Tier 2 (fewer than 30 employees) businesses regardless of ownership demographics. For programs that do prioritize underserved businesses, the SSBCI programs focus on historically underserved communities.
Timelines vary by program. The Nevada Export Grants (STEP) operate on a reimbursement basis, so you receive funds after submitting documentation of eligible expenses. WINN fund applications are reviewed and presented to the GOED Board for approval, which typically follows a quarterly meeting schedule. For the SAGE program supporting SBIR/STTR applications, the federal review process can take several months after submission. Plan to have your business plan, financial statements, and Nevada Business License ready before applying to reduce delays.
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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