Small Business Grants in Texas
Texas offers more than 15 active grant and incentive programs for small businesses, primarily administered by the Texas Economic Development and Tourism Office and the Texas Workforce Commission.
In This Article
Which Texas grants fit your business?
Answer 7 quick questions and we sort the 13 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.
Texas Small Business Grant Programs
State-administered funding programs available to Texas small businesses. Verify deadlines directly with the granting agency before applying.
Skills for Small Business Program
Texas Workforce Commission
Up to $1,800 per new employee, $900 per existing employee
RollingThis ongoing state program funds training for new and existing employees at local community and technical colleges. Your business selects from courses in sales, marketing, customer service, and other areas, and the grant covers tuition costs.
Status check, The TWC Skills for Small Business program page is active, described in present tense with application instructions and no closure or pause notice found. No fixed deadline was identified in official sources.
Last verified, Jul 8, 2026
Texas Small Business Credit Initiative (TSBCI)
Texas Economic Development & Tourism Office
$5,000 to $20M in loans through participating lenders
RollingBacked by $472 million in federal funding, TSBCI provides loan guarantees and capital access through participating financial institutions. Special consideration is given to very small businesses with fewer than 10 employees and socially disadvantaged business owners.
Status check, TSBCI is active with no stated deadline for small businesses. Applications go through participating financial institutions, not directly to the state. No indication of pause, closure, or discontinuation found in official sources.
Last verified, Jul 14, 2026
StartHER Grant
Texas Woman's University Center for Women Entrepreneurs
$5,000
Deadline Sep 26, 2026This annual grant supports women-owned startups in Texas with five or fewer employees that are less than five years old. Grant funds can be used for equipment, inventory, certifications, and marketing expenses.
Status check, Page states grant will open 09/01/2026. Applications close automatically at 5:00:00 p.m. on Friday, September 26, 2025 (appears to be typo for 2026). Grant is not yet accepting applications.
Last verified, Jul 15, 2026
Texas Enterprise Fund (TEF)
Office of the Texas Governor
Varies by project (performance-based)
RollingOne of the largest deal-closing grant funds in the nation, TEF provides performance-based cash grants to companies bringing significant capital investment and job creation to Texas. Projects must be competing with at least one out-of-state location.
Status check, Rolling application period. Companies submit applications via TEF Portal for deal-closing grants. Must be competing with out-of-state sites and meet job creation thresholds.
Last verified, Jul 13, 2026
Veteran Woman Entrepreneur Grant
Texas Woman's University Center for Women Entrepreneurs
$5,000
Deadline Feb 28, 2026This grant supports veteran women-owned businesses in Texas that have been operating for at least three years. Five recipients are selected each year to receive funding for revenue-generating activities.
Status check, The program page was last updated February 24, 2026. It lists the Veteran Grant program but shows no current application deadline, and the February 2026 deadline has passed.
Last verified, Jul 13, 2026
Texas Rural Woman Grant
Texas Woman's University Center for Women Entrepreneurs
$5,000
June 2026This grant encourages and enables rural women-owned small businesses to undertake new and innovative projects. Applications open May 5, 2026 and close June 5, 2026.
Status check, Page explicitly states Texas Rural Grant is closed. Shows 2026 Rural Grant Winners already announced. Awards are $10,000 each, not $5,000 as in database.
Last verified, Jul 12, 2026
Texas Agriculture Grant Program
Texas Department of Agriculture
$5,000 to $100,000
RollingFormerly the Young Farmer Grant Program, this expanded program provides matching grants to agricultural producers and businesses for creating, expanding, or maintaining agricultural operations in Texas. The match requirement has been reduced to 10% of the grant amount.
Status check, House Bill 43 passed during 89th Legislative Session creating Texas Agricultural Grant Program. Implementation is in progress. TDA is developing additional funding opportunities. Page encourages signing up for email notifications for announcements as they become available.
Last verified, Jul 15, 2026
State Trade Expansion Program (STEP)
Texas Department of Agriculture
Up to $10,000
Deadline Jun 6, 2024This SBA-funded program helps Texas small businesses overcome obstacles to exporting by covering costs for trade shows, translation services, and international marketing. The program is currently closed and pending future federal appropriations.
Status check, The STEP 12 Fiscal Year 2024 funding opportunity closed on June 6, 2024. Applications must be received by June 6, 2024 according to the page.
Last verified, Jul 15, 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, Jul 14, 2026
SBA Microloan Program
Provides small, short-term loans up to $50,000 through nonprofit intermediary lenders. Funds working capital, inventory, supplies, or equipment. Interest rates typically run 8% to 13%. Repayment terms reach up to six years.
Status check, The SBA Microloan Program provides loans up to $50,000 through intermediary lenders. No application deadline specified. Program appears to be ongoing and available through SBA-approved intermediaries.
Learn moreLast verified, Jul 14, 2026
SBIR/STTR Grants
Competitive federal grants for small businesses doing research and development with commercial potential. Twelve federal agencies take part. Phase I awards fund proof of concept. Phase II supports full development.
Status check, SBIR/STTR is an ongoing rolling program. Phase I awards $50,000-$275,000 over 6-12 months. Phase II awards $750,000-$1.8 million over 24 months. No single deadline shown; applicants apply through participating agencies.
Learn moreLast verified, Jul 15, 2026
USDA Rural Business Development Grant
Grants for rural small businesses and communities in areas under 50,000 people. Covers technical assistance, training, and business planning. Awarded to public bodies, tribes, and nonprofits.
Status check, The USDA RBDG program is currently listed as closed. The most recent cycle deadlines were June 15, 2026 for SECD applications and June 30, 2026 for remaining applications, both of which have passed.
Learn moreLast verified, Jul 14, 2026
Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) Programs
Federal programs for minority-owned businesses seeking capital, contracts, or market access. MBDA Business Centers sit across the country. They offer consulting, procurement help, and financing referrals.
Status check, MBDA operates ongoing business center services but competitive grant windows are time-limited and targeted at organizations not individual businesses. The only identified grant (WEP) closed February 2025. No currently open general MBDA small business grant found.
Learn moreLast verified, Jul 15, 2026
Get Grant-Ready
Before you apply, most Texas grant programs expect these basics to be in place.
Form your business entity
Most Texas 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 Texas.
Women-owned Business Grants
Texas has several dedicated grant programs for women-owned businesses. The Center for Women Entrepreneurs at Texas Woman's University offers three annual grants (StartHER, Veteran Woman, and Texas Rural Woman) providing $5,000 each to qualifying women entrepreneurs across the state.
- ›StartHER Grant
- ›Veteran Woman Entrepreneur Grant
- ›Texas Rural Woman Grant
- ›Center for Women Entrepreneurs
Minority-owned Business Grants
The MWBE program promotes minority and women-owned businesses in Texas. The Texas Small Business Credit Initiative also gives special consideration to socially and economically disadvantaged business owners seeking capital through participating lenders.
- ›Texas Small Business Credit Initiative (TSBCI)
- ›MBDA Programs
Veteran-owned Business Grants
Women veterans who own businesses in Texas can apply for the Veteran Woman Entrepreneur Grant through TWU's Center for Women Entrepreneurs. Texas SBDC offices also provide specialized veteran business advising and connections to SBA veteran programs.
- ›Veteran Woman Entrepreneur Grant
- ›Texas SBDC Network
Rural Business Grants
Texas has the nation's largest rural population, and several programs target rural entrepreneurs. The Texas Rural Woman Grant, the Texas Agriculture Grant Program, and USDA Rural Business Development Grants all serve rural small business owners.
- ›Texas Rural Woman Grant
- ›Texas Agriculture Grant Program
- ›USDA Rural Business Development Grant
Technology/Innovation Business Grants
Tech startups in Texas can pursue federal SBIR/STTR grants for R&D funding. The Texas FAST Partnership Program also helps small businesses navigate the federal innovation grant process and secure non-dilutive capital.
- ›SBIR/STTR Grants
- ›Texas FAST Partnership Program
Tips for Applying in Texas
Increase your chances of approval with these state-specific tips.
- 1Register your business with the Texas Secretary of State and the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts before applying to any state grant program.
- 2Contact your regional Texas SBDC office for free, confidential business advising and help with grant applications. Texas has four SBDC networks covering every region of the state.
- 3For the TWU Center for Women Entrepreneurs grants, prepare a detailed business plan with three years of financial projections, as this is required for full funding disbursement.
- 4Many Texas grant programs, including the Skills for Small Business and TEF, accept applications on a rolling basis. Submit your application well in advance and gather supporting documents early.
- 5Search Grants.gov and the Governor's Office incentives page regularly, as new programs and funding cycles are announced throughout the year.
State Economic Development Agency
Texas Economic Development & Tourism Office
The Texas Economic Development and Tourism Office, within the Office of the Governor, promotes small business advocacy, entrepreneurial support, and administers state incentive programs for business and community development.
Funding While You Wait
Grant applications in Texas can take weeks or months to process. These options can bridge the gap.
Frequently Asked Questions
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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