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Top 25 Grants for Deeptech Startups in North America in 2025

Top 25 Grants for Deeptech Startups in North America in 2025

Deeptech startups, with their focus on scientific discoveries and engineering innovations, are more critical than ever. For aspiring deeptech entrepreneurs in North America, 2025 offers a myriad of grants to help turn groundbreaking ideas into reality. Here's a comprehensive list of the top 25 grants, designed to support deeptech innovation across various sectors.
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1. SBIR & STTR Grants

Administered By: U.S. Federal Government Funding Amount: Up to $1 million per phase Focus: Supports R&D and commercialization of innovative technologies. Eligibility: Small businesses, including startups across various technology sectors. Application Process: Two-phase process with a competitive application. Learn more about SBIR & STTR Grants

2. NSF America's Seed Fund

Administered By: National Science Foundation (NSF) Funding Amount: Up to $1.5 million Focus: High-risk, high-reward technologies that can make a significant impact. Eligibility: Early-stage startups in deeptech sectors such as AI, quantum computing, and advanced materials. Application Process: Multiple solicitations throughout the year with rigorous peer review. Learn more about NSF America's Seed Fund

3. DOE Energy Program for Innovation Clusters (EPIC)

Administered By: U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Funding Amount: Varies; typically millions per project Focus: Enhancing regional innovation ecosystems in energy technologies. Eligibility: Entities that support energy communities, including startups and accelerators. Application Process: Comprehensive proposals addressing energy challenges. Learn more about DOE EPIC
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4. NIH Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program

Administered By: National Institutes of Health (NIH) Funding Amount: Phased funding up to $1 million Focus: Medical and biological technologies that improve health outcomes. Eligibility: Bio-tech and health-tech startups. Application Process: Proposal submission with peer review and multiple funding cycles annually.

5. Canada's NRC IRAP (Industrial Research Assistance Program)

Administered By: National Research Council Canada Funding Amount: Up to CAD 1 million per project Focus: R&D funding to accelerate the commercialization of innovative products. Eligibility: Canadian SMEs engaged in deeptech innovation. Application Process: Collaborative projects with NRC-IRAP Industrial Technology Advisors. Learn more about NRC IRAP

6. Innovative Solutions Canada (ISC)

Administered By: Government of Canada Funding Amount: Up to CAD 1 million Focus: Developing innovative prototypes that meet government challenges. Eligibility: Canadian small businesses, including deeptech startups. Application Process: Solicitations released throughout the year addressing specific government needs. Learn more about ISC

7. Quantum Leap Challenge Institutes

Administered By: National Science Foundation (NSF) Funding Amount: $25 million over 5 years Focus: Collaborative projects in quantum information science and engineering. Eligibility: Research institutions in partnership with technology startups. Application Process: Large-scale, multi-institutional proposals reviewed periodically.

8. NIST Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program

Administered By: National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Funding Amount: Up to $400,000 for Phase I and Phase II combined Focus: Developing and commercializing standards-based technologies. Eligibility: Small businesses including deeptech startups. Application Process: Annual solicitations with competitive proposal review. Learn more about NIST SBIR Program

9. ARPA-E Innovative Energy Research Grants

Administered By: Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E) Funding Amount: Typically ranging from $500,000 to $10 million Focus: High-potential energy technologies with transformative impact. Eligibility: Startups, academic institutions, and research organizations. Application Process: Open funding opportunities and project-specific RFPs. Learn more about ARPA-E Grants

10. DARPA Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) & STTR Programs

Administered By: Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) Funding Amount: Up to $1.5 million Focus: Disruptive, dual-use technologies with defense and commercial applications. Eligibility: Startups in fields such as AI, robotics, cybersecurity, and materials science. Application Process: Multiple solicitations per year covering diverse topics. Learn more about DARPA SBIR/STTR Programs
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11. Sustainable Development Technology Canada (SDTC)

Administered By: SDTC Funding Amount: Typically ranging from CAD $500,000 to $5 million Focus: Sustainable technology solutions addressing climate change, clean air, and water. Eligibility: Canadian deeptech startups focused on environmental sustainability. Application Process: Competitive application process with an emphasis on commercialization potential. Learn more about SDTC

12. FedDev Ontario's Scale-up Platform

Administered By: Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario) Funding Amount: Up to CAD $5 million Focus: Helping high-growth, innovative businesses scale. Eligibility: Startups located in Southern Ontario. Application Process: Major intake periods, focusing on scaling strategies and economic growth contributions. Learn more about FedDev Ontario

13. Quantum Economic Development Consortium (QED-C)

Administered By: NIST and Industry Partners Funding Amount: Varies based on projects Focus: Building quantum technology innovation and commercialization. Eligibility: Quantum tech startups and academic collaborations. Application Process: Membership and collaborative funding opportunities.

14. NRC-IRAP Youth Employment Program (YEP)

Administered By: National Research Council Canada Funding Amount: Up to CAD $30,000 per youth hire Focus: Supporting the hiring of skilled youth in tech-focused roles. Eligibility: Canadian SMEs. Application Process: Applications handled through IRAP Industrial Technology Advisors. Learn more about NRC YEP

15. DOE Lab-Embedded Entrepreneurship Program

Administered By: U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Funding Amount: Typically up to $2 million over 2 years Focus: Embedding entrepreneurial researchers in national labs to develop energy technologies. Eligibility: Early-stage energy startups and innovators. Application Process: Annual calls for applications with specific lab opportunities. Learn more about DOE Lab-Embedded Entrepreneurship
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16. Western Economic Diversification Canada (WD) Programs

Administered By: WD Canada Funding Amount: Typically multi-million dollar initiatives Focus: Diversifying and growing the western Canadian economy. Eligibility: Startups and organizations in Western Canada. Application Process: Various programs with detailed application guidelines. Learn more about WD Programs

17. NRC-IRAP Digital Technology Adoption Pilot Program (DTAPP)

Administered By: National Research Council Canada Funding Amount: Varies by project Focus: Supporting digital adoption and technological transformations in SMEs. Eligibility: Canadian deeptech startups. Application Process: Collaborative projects with IRAP advisors. Learn more about NRC DTAPP

18. Techstars Smart Mobility Accelerator

Administered By: Techstars Funding Amount: $120,000 investment and access to mentorship Focus: Mobility, transportation, and smart cities technologies. Eligibility: Startups at the seed stage with innovative solutions. Application Process: Competitive cohort selection process. Learn more about Techstars Smart Mobility

19. Green Municipal Fund (GMF)

Administered By: Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) Funding Amount: CAD $10,000 to $500,000 for grants; up to $10 million for loans Focus: Environmental projects within Canadian municipalities. Eligibility: Municipalities, private sector, and nonprofit partnerships. Application Process: Detailed application with a focus on sustainability impact. Learn more about GMF

20. AgriInnovate Program

Administered By: Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) Funding Amount: Up to 50% of eligible costs, maximum of $10 million Focus: Commercializing innovative agri-technologies. Eligibility: Agri-tech startups and SMEs. Application Process: Continuous intake with detailed project proposals. Learn more about AgriInnovate

21. BlueTechValley Program

Administered By: California Energy Commission Funding Amount: Up to $350,000 per project Focus: Water and energy nexus innovations. Eligibility: Startups in the water-energy sector. Application Process: Competitive proposal submission process. Learn more about BlueTechValley

22. Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) Programs

Administered By: ACOA Funding Amount: Multi-million dollar initiatives Focus: Economic growth and innovation in Atlantic Canada. Eligibility: Startups and organizations in Atlantic Canada. Application Process: Diverse programs with various funding opportunities. Learn more about ACOA

23. Tech Coast Angels Seed Funding

Administered By: Tech Coast Angels Funding Amount: Up to $1 million Focus: Early-stage tech startups with strong growth potential. Eligibility: Innovative deeptech startups. Application Process: Pitch submissions with thorough due diligence. Learn more about Tech Coast Angels

24. Westerly Ventures Seed Fund

Administered By: Westerly Ventures Funding Amount: Varies; focus on seed-stage funding Focus: Deeptech startups in AI, robotics, and advanced manufacturing. Eligibility: Seed-stage startups. Application Process: Portfolio companies selected based on strategic fit and innovation potential.

25. Next Generation Manufacturing Canada (NGen) Supercluster

Administered By: NGen Canada Funding Amount: Up to 44% of eligible project costs Focus: Advancing innovations in manufacturing technologies. Eligibility: Canadian manufacturing startups. Application Process: Collaborative projects with clear innovation objectives. Learn more about NGen Supercluster
The deeptech grant landscape is constantly evolving, and it's essential to stay updated with the latest information directly from grant providers' websites.
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FAQ

Q: What types of grants are available for deep tech startups?
A: Grants for deep tech startups include government grants, R&D grants, innovation grants, corporate grants, and nonprofit grants. Learn more about funding for deep tech.
Q: What are the key trends in deep tech investment for 2025?
A: Trends include an increased focus on scaling quantum computing and error correction technologies, investments in neutral atom quantum computers, silicon qubits, and scalable control electronics. Read more on deep tech investment predictions.
Q: Which venture capital firms are leading in deep tech investments?
A: Leading firms include SOSV, Khosla Ventures, Lux Capital, and Alumni Ventures, with varied investment ranges focusing on sectors like hard tech, health, cleantech, and AI. Discover top deep tech VCs.
Q: What factors are affecting deep tech funding amid market fluctuations?
A: Despite a general downturn, sectors like quantum, space, and robotics showed resilience with funding drops less than the overall market decline. Read more on market impacts.
Q: What role does the SBIR program play in deep tech funding?
A: The SBIR program bridges the gap in funding that VCs are hesitant to cover, focusing on long-term projects across various federal agencies. Learn more about SBIR.
Q: How are public-private partnerships influencing the deep tech sector?
A: Increased partnerships are noted, especially in Europe and UK, focusing on sustainability, resilience, and ethical technology development.
Q: What is the rate of deep tech investment decline according to recent reports?
A: Deep tech sectors experienced a 24% funding drop in 2023, which is less than the overall venture market decline.
Q: What are the primary sectors for deep tech venture capital in Europe?
A: Key sectors include AI, robotics, quantum computing, advanced materials, health, and cybersecurity. Explore European deep tech VCs.
Q: What are the typical investment ranges for top deep tech venture capital firms?
A: Investment ranges vary, such as $500,000-$4 million for SOSV and $100,000-$100 million for Lux Capital. See top VC firms and their investments.
Q: What is the focus of the Deeptech Seed Fund?
A: The Deeptech Seed Fund targets spinout-stage startups with defensible IP and early customer connections, focusing on accelerating growth.

About the Author

Violetta Bonenkamp, also known as MeanCEO, is an experienced startup founder with an impressive educational background including an MBA and four other higher education degrees. She has over 20 years of work experience across multiple countries, including 5 years as a solopreneur and serial entrepreneur.
Violetta is a true multiple specialist who has built expertise in Linguistics, Education, Business Management, Blockchain, Entrepreneurship, Intellectual Property, Game Design, AI, SEO, Digital Marketing, cyber security and zero code automations. Her extensive educational journey includes a Master of Arts in Linguistics and Education, an Advanced Master in Linguistics from Belgium (2006-2007), an MBA from Blekinge Institute of Technology in Sweden (2006-2008), and an Erasmus Mundus joint program European Master of Higher Education from universities in Norway, Finland, and Portugal (2009).
She is the founder of Fe/male Switch, a startup game that encourages women to enter STEM fields, and also leads CADChain, and multiple other projects like the Directory of 1,000 Startup Cities with a proprietary MeanCEO Index that ranks cities for female entrepreneurs. Violetta created the "gamepreneurship" methodology, which forms the scientific basis of her startup game. She also builds a lot of SEO tools for startups. Her achievements include being named one of the top 100 women in Europe by EU Startups in 2022 and being nominated for Impact Person of the year at the Dutch Blockchain Week. She is an author with Sifted and a speaker at different Universities. Recently she published a book on Startup Idea Validation the right way: from zero to first customers and beyond and launched a Directory of 1,500+ websites for startups to list themselves in order to gain traction and build backlinks.
2025-06-07 08:22 Top 25