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2025-04-22 09:15 Top 10

Top 10 Grants for Early-Stage Startups in North America in 2025

Top 10 Grants for Early-Stage Startups in North America in 2025

In 2025, early-stage startups in North America have numerous grant opportunities to explore. These grants not only provide crucial financial support but also offer resources that can help accelerate business growth. The following is a detailed overview of the top 10 grants available to early-stage startups in the region.
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1. Visa Everywhere Initiative

Description: This program supports tech startups that are innovating in the use of Visa's products and services.
Funding Amount: Up to $100,000.
Target Audience: Tech startups focusing on innovative applications of Visa technology.
Geographic Focus: North America (specific areas may vary).
Learn more about the Visa Everywhere Initiative

2. Comcast RISE Program

Description: Offers free marketing services and technology makeovers to startups owned by women or people of color.
Funding Amount: In-kind services, including marketing and technology assistance.
Target Audience: Startups owned by women or people of color.
Geographic Focus: Primarily U.S.
Discover the Comcast RISE Program
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3. Hello Alice Grant Platform

Description: Provides various grants for small businesses, including startups, through diverse partnerships.
Funding Amount: Varies by grant opportunity.
Target Audience: Small businesses and startups.
Geographic Focus: North America.
Explore the Hello Alice Grant Platform

4. U.S. Chamber of Commerce "Dream Big" Award

Description: This award honors small businesses that contribute significantly to economic growth.
Funding Amount: Up to $25,000.
Target Audience: Small businesses.
Geographic Focus: United States.
Learn more about the "Dream Big" Award

5. Projects to Reduce Greenhouse Gases Competition

Description: A competition aimed at encouraging businesses to develop innovative projects that lower greenhouse gas emissions.
Funding Amount: $50,000 prize.
Target Audience: Businesses focused on environmental projects.
Geographic Focus: Likely North America.
Find out more about the competition
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6. HoneyBook January Jumpstart Grant

Description: This grant offers prize packages for U.S.-based businesses geared towards professional development.
Funding Amount: Prize packages valued over $10,000, including a $5,000 professional development budget and a one-year Premium subscription.
Target Audience: Businesses providing consultative services.
Geographic Focus: United States.
Explore the HoneyBook Grant

7. 500 Global Flagship Accelerator Program

Description: A four-month accelerator program based in San Francisco that includes an investment component.
Funding Amount: $150,000 investment.
Target Audience: Startups looking for accelerator support.
Geographic Focus: San Francisco, open to North American startups.
Discover the 500 Global Program

8. Giving Joy Grants

Description: Micro-grants aimed at women entrepreneurs over the age of 18.
Funding Amount: Grants of up to $500.
Target Audience: Women entrepreneurs.
Geographic Focus: North and South America (application window is January 1-31).
Learn more about Giving Joy Grants

9. Santander's Cultivate Small Business

Description: This program provides funding for early-stage food industry entrepreneurs, especially those who are women, immigrants, or part of BIPOC communities.
Funding Amount: Up to $13,000 in capital grants, plus a 12-week virtual education program.
Target Audience: Entrepreneurs in the food industry.
Geographic Focus: Primarily in New York, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island.
Explore Santander's Program

10. NC IDEA SEED Grant

Description: This grant provides support for early-stage companies located in North Carolina.
Funding Amount: $50,000.
Target Audience: Startups in North Carolina.
Geographic Focus: North Carolina.
Learn more about NC IDEA SEED Grant
Important Notes:
  • Grant deadlines can vary, and it's essential to verify the information on the grant's official site.
  • Each grant may have specific eligibility requirements, so review these carefully before applying.
  • The competition for grants can be fierce, making a strong application critical.
  • Be mindful of potential grant scams and verify the legitimacy of the funding source.
  • Explore Grants.gov for federal funding opportunities alongside state and local grant programs.
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FAQ

Q: What is the Visa Everywhere Initiative?
A: The Visa Everywhere Initiative provides funding to tech startups creating innovative uses for Visa's products and services. The top grant available is $100,000. Learn more about Visa Everywhere Initiative
Q: Who can apply for the Comcast RISE Program?
A: The Comcast RISE Program offers free marketing services and technology makeovers to startups owned by women or people of color. Discover Comcast RISE Program
Q: What types of grants does the Hello Alice Grant Platform offer?
A: The Hello Alice Grant Platform offers various grants for small businesses, including startups, through partnerships. Funding amounts vary by grant. Learn more about Hello Alice Grant Platform
Q: What is the U.S. Chamber of Commerce "Dream Big" Award?
A: The "Dream Big" Award grants up to $25,000 to small businesses that contribute to economic growth. Explore U.S. Chamber of Commerce "Dream Big" Award
Q: What is the purpose of the Projects to Reduce Greenhouse Gases Competition?
A: This competition encourages businesses to create innovative projects aimed at reducing greenhouse gases, offering a $50,000 prize for the best project. Learn more about Projects to Reduce Greenhouse Gases Competition
Q: What does the HoneyBook January Jumpstart Grant offer?
A: The HoneyBook January Jumpstart Grant provides prize packages valued over $10,000, including a $5,000 professional development budget and a one-year Premium subscription. Discover HoneyBook January Jumpstart Grant
Q: What is the 500 Global Flagship Accelerator Program?
A: This program is a four-month accelerator in San Francisco that includes a $150,000 investment for startups seeking growth and support. Learn more about 500 Global Flagship Accelerator Program
Q: Who can apply for Giving Joy Grants?
A: Giving Joy Grants are micro-grants of up to $500 available for women entrepreneurs who are over 18. The application window is from January 1-31 each year. Explore Giving Joy Grants
Q: What is Santander's Cultivate Small Business program?
A: This program offers up to $13,000 in capital grants along with a 12-week virtual education curriculum for early-stage food industry entrepreneurs, especially targeting women, immigrants, and BIPOC-owned businesses. Discover Santander's Cultivate Small Business
Q: What does the NC IDEA SEED Grant provide?
A: The NC IDEA SEED Grant offers $50,000 in funding for early-stage companies located in North Carolina to help with growth and attracting further investment. Learn more about NC IDEA SEED Grant

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.