Small Business Grants in Wyoming
Most small business funding in Wyoming is administered by the Wyoming Business Council and the Wyoming Department of Workforce Services. Read each card first.
Which Wyoming 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.
Funding Matcher
Which Funding Fits Your Business
Four quick questions. Your answers stay in your browser.
How long have you been in business?
What is your monthly revenue?
What is the money for?
Where is your credit score?
Wyoming Small Business Grant Programs
State-administered funding programs available to Wyoming small businesses. Verify deadlines directly with the granting agency before applying.
SBIR/STTR Matching Grant Program
Wyoming Business Council
$70,000-$200,000
RollingProvides state matching funds for Wyoming companies that have received federal SBIR or STTR Phase I or Phase II awards. First-time Phase I awardees can receive up to $100,000, repeat Phase I awardees up to $70,000, and Phase II awardees up to $200,000.
Status check, Applications are open year-round on a rolling basis. Phase I grants match up to $100,000, Phase II up to $200,000. Requires active federal SBIR/STTR award and 50% Wyoming employees.
Last verified, Aug 3, 2026
Market Expansion Grant
Wyoming Business Council
Up to $4,000
RollingA reimbursement grant covering 75% of costs your business incurs while expanding into new markets outside Wyoming. You must be a for-profit business based in Wyoming with annual revenue under $5,000,000 and at least half your workforce in the state.
Status check, Applications must be submitted no later than 30 days before the market expansion activity. No specific program deadline stated, appears to be ongoing rolling basis.
Last verified, Aug 4, 2026
State Trade Expansion Program (STEP) Grant
Wyoming Business Council
Up to $5,000
Deadline Sep 29, 2027Reimburses 75% of eligible expenses for international marketing events. You must meet SBA eligibility requirements, be based in Wyoming, and employ at least one full-time employee. Up to two awards per grant period are available.
Status check, Grant period is July 1, 2026 to September 29, 2027. Reimbursable awards are for 75% of eligible expenses, not to exceed $5,000. Maximum two awards per grant period per business.
Last verified, Jul 28, 2026
Business Training Grants (WDTF)
Wyoming Department of Workforce Services
$3,000 to $4,000 per trainee, up to $75,000 per business each year
Apply any time, 30 to 110 days before training startsHelps Wyoming businesses fix employee skill gaps or upgrade current skills. Funding is $3,000 per trainee each fiscal year, rising to $4,000 for preferred industries (construction, manufacturing, healthcare and social assistance, finance and insurance, technology, and hospitality and tourism), capped at $75,000 per business each fiscal year. Applications can be submitted at any time and must land 30 to 110 days before training begins. Approval is not guaranteed.
Status check, The program is active with no fixed monthly deadline; as of January 1, 2026, applications may be submitted at any time throughout the calendar month. The lead-time requirement is 30 to 110 days before training starts, not a calendar deadline.
Last verified, Jul 27, 2026
Wyoming Safety Improvement Fund
Wyoming Department of Workforce Services
Up to $10,000
Rolling (July 1 - June 30)Funds health and safety training programs or safety equipment purchases that go beyond regulatory requirements. A 10% monetary match from your business is required. Applications are evaluated on a first-come, first-served basis.
Status check, The program is active and accepting applications on a rolling basis, with submissions due by the 25th of each month for next-month review. No pause or closure notices found. The fiscal year runs July 1 to June 30 with up to $10,000 available.
Last verified, Jul 29, 2026
Startup: Wyoming Regional Challenge Sponsorship
Wyoming Business Council
Up to $25,000 (dollar-for-dollar match)
RollingMatches local fundraising dollar-for-dollar up to $25,000 per startup challenge event. Sponsorship funds can be used for event programming, marketing, and coaching sessions. This program supports regional startup ecosystems rather than individual businesses directly.
Status check, Page confirms Regional Startup Challenge Sponsorship with dollar-for-dollar match up to $25,000. Applications accepted on rolling basis, encouraged to submit as soon as possible preferably prior to launch.
Last verified, Aug 3, 2026
Internship Grants (WDTF)
Wyoming Department of Workforce Services
Up to $25/hour for up to 480 hours
Rolling (first 7 days of each month)Reimburses wages for structured internship learning experiences at your business. Internships can last up to 480 hours over six months, and businesses can host up to six internships per state fiscal year.
Status check, The program is active and accepting applications on a rolling basis. As of January 1, 2026, applications can be submitted any time during the month, replacing the prior first-7-days window. No fixed deadline exists; internship start date must be at least 15 days after submission.
Last verified, Jul 29, 2026
Kickstart Grant Program
Wyoming Business Council
$5,000-$50,000
Rolling (quarterly cycles)Non-dilutive grant funding for growth-oriented Wyoming startups. Your business must be founded in Wyoming, have no more than 25 employees, and demonstrate potential for high-growth markets outside the state. Three grants are awarded each calendar quarter through a competitive pitch process.
Status check, The page explicitly states The Kickstart Grant Program is currently paused until further notice. Check back soon for additional updates.
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 Wyoming grant programs expect these basics to be in place.
Form your business entity
Most Wyoming 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 Wyoming.
Women-owned Business Grants
The Wyoming Women's Business Center (WWBC) provides counseling, training, and micro-finance programs specifically for women entrepreneurs. The WWBC offers microloans, business coaching, and artist development programs across the state.
- ›Wyoming Women's Business Center
- ›SBA Women's Business Centers
Rural Business Grants
Most of Wyoming qualifies as rural, making businesses eligible for USDA rural development programs and Wyoming Business Council rural initiatives. The Business Ready Community program funds public infrastructure that supports rural businesses.
- ›Wyoming Business Council
- ›USDA Rural Development
- ›Business Ready Community Program
Technology/Innovation Business Grants
Wyoming offers strong support for tech startups through the SBIR/STTR Matching Grant Program, which provides up to $200,000 in state matching funds. The Wyoming SBDC Network's WSSI initiative provides free technical assistance for SBIR/STTR applications.
- ›SBIR/STTR Matching Grant Program
- ›Wyoming SBDC Network WSSI
Tips for Applying in Wyoming
Increase your chances of approval with these state-specific tips.
- 1Register your business with the Wyoming Secretary of State and ensure good standing with Workers' Compensation and Unemployment Insurance before applying to any state grant program.
- 2For Workforce Development Training Fund grants, complete the one-time registration in the DWS Grant Management System at least 2 weeks before you plan to apply, and submit applications only during the first 7 calendar days of each month.
- 3Use the free Wyoming Grant Assistance Program (WYGAP) for no-cost technical assistance with identifying, applying for, and managing grants. Email [email protected] to get started.
- 4Kickstart Grant applications are reviewed quarterly, so plan your submission timing around quarter-end deadlines for the best chance at a timely review.
- 5Contact a Wyoming SBDC Network advisor for free, confidential help with business plans, financial projections, and grant proposal writing before submitting any application.
State Economic Development Agency
Wyoming Business Council
The Wyoming Business Council supports economic development statewide by offering grant programs, loan products, and startup resources to help Wyoming businesses launch, grow, and expand into new markets.
Funding While You Wait
Grant applications in Wyoming can take weeks or months to process. These options can bridge the gap.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Wyoming offers several true grant programs that do not require repayment. The Kickstart Grant Program through the Wyoming Business Council provides $5,000 to $50,000 in non-dilutive funding for growth-oriented startups. The SBIR/STTR Matching Grant Program offers up to $200,000 to match federal innovation awards. The Market Expansion Grant reimburses up to $4,000 for out-of-state expansion costs. The Wyoming Department of Workforce Services also offers Business Training Grants and the Safety Improvement Fund, which do not require repayment.
The Business Training Grants through the Wyoming Department of Workforce Services' Workforce Development Training Fund are among the most widely used. They help businesses of all sizes address employee skill gaps with funding of up to $5,000 per trainee in preferred industries and up to $200,000 per business per fiscal year. The Kickstart Grant Program from the Wyoming Business Council is the most prominent direct-to-business grant, awarding $5,000 to $50,000 quarterly to eligible startups.
No. Most Wyoming state grant programs, including the Kickstart Grant, SBIR Matching Grant, and Workforce Development Training Fund grants, do not require minority or women-owned business certification. However, if you are a woman entrepreneur, the Wyoming Women's Business Center offers additional resources including microloans, business coaching, and training programs. For federal programs like MBDA grants or SBA-backed certifications, formal certification may improve your eligibility or competitiveness.
Timelines vary by program. The Kickstart Grant reviews applications on a quarterly cycle, so expect 3 to 4 months from submission to decision. The SBIR Matching Grant evaluates applications on a rolling basis, with notification within two weeks of your pitch, followed by a contract process of up to 45 days. Business Training Grants through DWS take approximately 2 to 3 weeks for review. The STEP Grant approval typically takes 5 to 10 business days, with contract processing adding up to 30 working days.
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.
Was this article helpful?
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.
Questions about Wyoming small business grants
No comments yet. Ask the first question and a member of our team will answer.
Leave a comment