Small Business Grants in Texas
Texas channels its small business support through the Texas Economic Development and Tourism Office and the Texas Workforce Commission. Check the type before you apply.
Which Texas 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.
Texas Small Business Grant Programs
State-administered funding programs available to Texas small businesses. Verify deadlines directly with the granting agency before applying.
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, Aug 2, 2026
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, Aug 4, 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, Aug 3, 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, Aug 3, 2026
State Trade Expansion Program (STEP)
Texas Department of Agriculture
Up to $10,000
ClosedThis 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, Aug 3, 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, Aug 3, 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, Aug 1, 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, Aug 4, 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 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 and the Texas Agriculture Grant Program serve rural small business owners. USDA's Rural Business Development Grant does not, it bars for profit applicants.
- ›Texas Rural Woman Grant
- ›Texas Agriculture Grant Program
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
Yes, Texas offers several true grants that do not require repayment. The Skills for Small Business Program through the Texas Workforce Commission covers employee training costs at community colleges. The StartHER Grant from Texas Woman's University provides $5,000 to women-owned startups. The Texas Agriculture Grant Program offers $5,000 to $100,000 in matching grants for agricultural businesses.
The Skills for Small Business Program administered by the Texas Workforce Commission is one of the most widely accessible grants in Texas. It provides up to $1,800 per new employee and $900 per existing employee for training at local community and technical colleges. Any Texas business with fewer than 100 employees can apply on a rolling basis.
Certification requirements depend on the specific program. The TWU StartHER Grant requires your business to be at least 51% owned and controlled by women but does not require a formal MWBE certification. The Texas Small Business Credit Initiative gives priority to socially and economically disadvantaged business owners. Contact the Governor's Office of Small Business Assistance at 512-936-0100 for guidance on certification options.
Timelines vary by program. The TWU grants have set annual cycles, with applications, training, and disbursement spanning several months. The Texas Agriculture Grant Program review process takes approximately 8 to 10 weeks. The Skills for Small Business Program accepts rolling applications, but you should submit at least two weeks before your chosen training courses begin.
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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