Top 20 Grants for Early-Stage Startups in North America in 2025
Early-stage startups in North America have a multitude of funding options available to them in 2025. These grants, offered by various organizations, provide crucial support for entrepreneurs seeking to kickstart their ventures. Below is a comprehensive list of the Top 20 Grants for Early-Stage Startups in North America in 2025, complete with descriptions, eligibility criteria, grant amounts, application deadlines, and links to the respective sources.
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1. 500 Global Flagship Accelerator
Amount: $150,000 investment for a 6% equity stake
Eligibility: Early-stage startups
Deadline: Rolling Applications
Description: This program offers a robust four-month accelerator experience in San Francisco, providing startups with funding and mentorship.
2. Visa Everywhere Initiative
Amount: $10,000 to $100,000
Eligibility: Tech startups utilizing Visa's products
Deadline: Varies
Description: This initiative is designed to support and reward innovative ventures using Visa's payment technology, fostering growth and development in relevant markets.
3. Lenovo Evolve Small Initiative Grants
Amount: $25,000 cash, $10,000 tech package
Eligibility: North American businesses with revenues under $7.5 million and 75 or fewer employees
Deadline: Rolling Applications
Description: Aimed at small businesses, Lenovo provides financial and technological support, along with mentorship to help businesses scale.
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4. Hustler's MicroGrant
Amount: $1,000
Eligibility: Small business owners in the US
Deadline: Rolling Applications
Description: Designed to support local entrepreneurship, this microgrant is awarded monthly to small business owners looking for initial funding.
5. American Express Backing Small Businesses
Amount: $10,000 (up to $30,000 for Enhancement Grants)
Eligibility: Independently owned businesses with 20 or fewer employees
Deadline: Varies
Description: American Express aims to empower small business owners through funding that can be utilized for growth, marketing, or enhancement projects.
6. Skip $10,000 Grant
Amount: $10,000
Eligibility: Open to all startups
Deadline: January 15, 2025
Description: This grant is designed to provide a significant financial boost to new businesses, irrespective of their industry.
7. 2025 January Jumpstart Grant by HoneyBook
Amount: Various prize packages valued at over $10,000
Eligibility: US-based service-based businesses
Deadline: January 31, 2025
Description: This grant includes a professional development budget and premium subscription services, helping startups solidify their foundation.
8. Projects to Reduce Greenhouse Gases
Amount: $50,000 prize
Eligibility: Innovative projects focused on environmental sustainability
Deadline: Varies
Description: This initiative encourages entrepreneurial projects that focus on innovative solutions to reduce greenhouse emissions, supporting a greener economy.
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9. Small Business Capital and Infrastructure Grant Program
Amount: Varies
Eligibility: Businesses owned by SEDI or VSB in Illinois
Deadline: April 7, 2025
Description: This program helps fund capital improvement projects, providing essential resources for startup development.
10. Giving Joy Grants
Amount: Up to $500
Eligibility: Women over 18
Deadline: January 1-31, 2025
Description: This grant supports female entrepreneurs by providing small funding incentives to help kickstart their businesses.
11. Santander's Cultivate Small Business
Amount: Up to $13,000
Eligibility: Food industry entrepreneurs
Deadline: January 30, 2025
Description: This grant program aims to boost small food industry businesses, providing necessary financial support and resources.
12. EmpowHer Grant
Amount: Up to $25,000
Eligibility: Female entrepreneurs
Deadline: Rolling applications, next deadline February 15, 2025
Description: This grant assists women-owned businesses addressing social issues, providing essential funding to create impact-driven solutions.
13. Digital Therapeutic Extended Reality (XR) Solutions
Amount: Varies
Eligibility: Various
Deadline: January 15, 2025
Description: This grant program encourages tech-driven healthcare solutions, supporting businesses focusing on XR therapy innovations.
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14. Smart Cities Business Innovation Fund 2.0
Amount: Varies
Eligibility: Urban tech startups
Deadline: January 15, 2025
Description: Aimed at companies developing smart city innovations, this fund provides essential backing for urban development solutions.
15. Cartier Women's Initiative: Regional Awards
Amount: Varies
Eligibility: Women-led businesses
Deadline: May 27, 2025
Description: This initiative supports female entrepreneurs globally, providing funding and resources for business development.
16. Comcast RISE Program
Amount: Free marketing services and technology makeovers
Eligibility: Women and people of color-owned businesses
Deadline: Varies
Description: This program offers critical support for marginalized entrepreneurs through marketing and technology enhancements.
17. Hello Alice Grant Platform
Amount: Varies
Eligibility: Open to small businesses
Deadline: Varies
Description: A comprehensive platform that connects small businesses to grants and resources, enhancing their chances of securing funding.
18. U.S. Chamber of Commerce "Dream Big" Award
Amount: Up to $25,000
Eligibility: Small businesses
Deadline: Varies
Description: This award supports small businesses making significant impact in their communities, providing much-needed financial support.
19. Antler Global Startup Program
Amount: Varies
Eligibility: Global early-stage VCs
Deadline: Varies
Description: This program provides a range of resources to supporting startups globally, helping them establish themselves in competitive markets.
20. Gener8tor Investment Accelerator
Amount: $20,000
Eligibility: Sustainable mobility startups
Deadline: January 27, 2025
Description: Focused on the sustainable mobility sector, this accelerator offers robust funding and mentorship for innovative startups.
Note: Grant details are subject to change, and applicants are encouraged to verify eligibility and deadlines on the respective websites.
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FAQ
Q: What grants are available for early-stage startups focusing on technology in 2025?
A: The Visa Everywhere Initiative offers grants ranging from $10,000 to $100,000 specifically for tech startups using Visa's products. Learn more about the Visa Everywhere Initiative.
Q: Are there grants specifically for women entrepreneurs in 2025?
A: Yes, the EmpowHER Grant allows women entrepreneurs to receive up to $25,000, supporting businesses that address social issues. Discover more about the EmpowHER Grant.
Q: What are the application deadlines for small business grants in 2025?
A: Application deadlines vary, with some like the Skip $10,000 Grant due by January 15, 2025, and others offering rolling applications. Check deadlines for small business grants.
Q: What kind of funding does the 500 Global Flagship Accelerator provide?
A: It offers a $150,000 investment for a 6% equity stake in early-stage startups, alongside a four-month accelerator program in San Francisco. Learn about the 500 Global Flagship Accelerator.
Q: Where can I find grants for food and beverage startups?
A: Foodbevy lists numerous grants, including the Gener8tor Investment Accelerator which provides $20,000 for sustainable mobility startups. Explore grant opportunities on Foodbevy.
Q: What is the Awesome Foundation grant and its eligibility?
A: The Awesome Foundation offers $1,000 grants with no strings attached to innovative projects by anyone. Find out more about the Awesome Foundation.
Q: What are the requirements for the Giving Joy Grants in 2025?
A: The Giving Joy Grants provide up to $500 for women over 18 in North and South America, with applications accepted during January 2025. Learn more about Giving Joy Grants.
Q: Are there grants specifically for minority-owned startups?
A: Yes, the Comcast RISE program provides free marketing services and technology makeovers for women and people of color. Discover the Comcast RISE program.
Q: What grant opportunities does the SBA provide for women-owned businesses?
A: The SBA has granted over $26 million to create new Women's Business Centers, supporting women entrepreneurs through various specialized services. Read more about SBA's initiatives.
Q: Where can startups in North Carolina find funding opportunities?
A: Every.io details various funding programs in North Carolina, including grants through local universities for biotech and medical device startups. Check out funding options in North Carolina.
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.
