Small Business Grants for Startups and New Businesses in 2026

Starting a business takes more than a great idea. From purchasing equipment and building a website to developing products, marketing, licensing, and technology, even a small startup can require significant capital.

For many new entrepreneurs, that leads to an important question:

Are there grants available for startups and new businesses?

The answer is yes—but finding them requires knowing where to look and understanding what funders are actually looking for.

Unlike loans, grants generally do not have to be repaid. However, they are competitive, and many grant programs have very specific eligibility requirements.

If you're launching a business or still in the early stages of building one, here are several funding opportunities and resources worth exploring in 2026.

Can a Startup Really Get a Business Grant?

Yes, but there is an important distinction.

Many small-business grants require applicants to have been operating for a certain period of time, generate a minimum amount of revenue, or meet other established-business requirements. That can make some programs unavailable to brand-new businesses.

But that doesn't mean new entrepreneurs should stop searching.

Some grant programs specifically welcome:

Startups
Early-stage businesses
Aspiring entrepreneurs
Microbusinesses
Women and minority entrepreneurs
Businesses in particular industries or communities

The key is finding opportunities that match where your business is today.

1. Galaxy Grant

The Galaxy Grant, offered through Hidden Star, is designed to support entrepreneurs at different stages of their business journey.

The program specifically indicates that aspiring entrepreneurs, people just starting businesses, and experienced business owners may participate.

As of August 2026, the current Galaxy Grant is $2,500, with an application deadline of October 31, 2026. The application is free.

Why It's Worth Exploring

For entrepreneurs who are still getting established, one of the biggest advantages is that the program isn't limited exclusively to long-established companies.

Hidden Star also provides entrepreneurial education and resources aimed particularly at helping women and minority entrepreneurs start and grow businesses.

Best For

Aspiring entrepreneurs
New business owners
Women entrepreneurs
Minority entrepreneurs
Early-stage businesses

Important: Award amounts and deadlines can change between grant rounds, so always verify the current opportunity before applying.

2. Freed Fellowship

The Freed Fellowship is another funding program worth researching for entrepreneurs building small businesses.

The program selects a U.S. business owner each month to receive a $500 grant. Selected Fellows are also considered for an additional $2,500 year-end grant and receive business support and mentorship.

Applicants receive feedback based on Freed's business-review framework, whether or not they are selected for the grant.

Best For

Microbusiness owners
Small-business owners
Entrepreneurs looking for business feedback
Underrepresented or overlooked founders
Businesses seeking funding plus mentorship

One Thing to Know

Unlike many of the opportunities we feature at Juggernaut Trendy Bag, the Freed Fellowship currently charges a $19 application fee.

Before paying to apply for any grant, determine whether the potential benefit makes sense for your business and your budget.

3. Hello Alice Funding Opportunities

Rather than offering only one permanent startup grant, Hello Alice maintains an opportunities platform where entrepreneurs can discover grants, accelerators, programs, events, and partner opportunities.

Business owners can create a profile, explore available opportunities, and save programs that may fit their businesses. Hello Alice notes that individual eligibility requirements vary by program.

Why New Businesses Should Watch It

Grant opportunities change throughout the year.

Instead of searching once and assuming you've seen everything available, startup founders can use funding platforms like Hello Alice as part of an ongoing grant-search strategy.

Best For

Startups
Small-business owners
Entrepreneurs searching for multiple opportunities
Founders willing to monitor new funding rounds

Tip: Never assume you're eligible simply because a grant appears on a small-business funding platform. Read the individual program's official eligibility requirements before spending time on an application.

4. The Awesome Foundation

Another opportunity startups may want to investigate is the Awesome Foundation.

The organization operates through independent local chapters that provide $1,000 grants for projects they consider “awesome.” Because chapters operate independently, priorities and application processes can vary.

This isn't a traditional business-growth grant in every case, so entrepreneurs should determine whether their idea fits the priorities of a participating chapter before applying.

Best For

Creative business concepts
Community-focused projects
Innovative ideas
Entrepreneurs launching projects with a clear local or social impact

5. Local Startup Competitions and Pitch Programs

Some of the best opportunities for new businesses aren't always labeled “small business grants.”

Startup founders should also search for:

Pitch competitions
Business-plan competitions
Local economic-development programs
Chamber of Commerce competitions
University entrepreneurship programs
Business accelerators
Corporate startup competitions
Community-development funding programs

These opportunities may provide cash awards, mentorship, business services, technology credits, or access to investors.

For example, Hello Alice's 2026 Main Street Rising Tour includes pitch competitions, business training, accelerator opportunities, and awards eligibility for participating small-business owners.

This is why entrepreneurs shouldn't limit their funding search to opportunities containing the word grant.

6. Industry-Specific Grants

Your industry can also open the door to funding opportunities.

Businesses in areas such as:

Technology
Beauty
Food and beverage
Agriculture
Retail
Sustainability
Childcare
Manufacturing
Creative industries
Community development

may qualify for specialized programs that aren't available to every small business.

Instead of searching only:

“small business grants”

try searches such as:

“2026 grants for beauty startups”

“funding for food businesses”

“technology startup grants”

“grants for creative entrepreneurs.”

The more closely a funding opportunity matches your actual business, the stronger the potential fit.

What If Your Business Hasn't Launched Yet?

If you're still developing your business idea, you may discover that many traditional grant programs aren't available to you yet.

Use this time strategically.

Before applying for funding, work on establishing the foundation of your business.

That may include:

Creating a clear business concept
Identifying your target customer
Researching your market
Developing a simple business plan
Estimating startup costs
Creating a realistic funding-use plan
Establishing your business legally when appropriate
Developing your product or service
Building an initial online presence

A grant can provide capital, but funders still want to understand what you're building, why it matters, and how their money will help you move forward.

What Do Startup Grant Applications Usually Ask?

Every program is different, but preparing a few core pieces of information can make future applications much easier.

Be ready to explain:

Your Business

What does your company do, and who does it serve?

The Problem

What problem are you solving for your customers or community?

Your Story

Why did you start—or why are you starting—this particular business?

Your Plan

What are you trying to accomplish over the next six to twelve months?

Your Funding Need

How much money do you need, and what specifically would you do with it?

Instead of writing:

“I would use the grant for marketing and business growth.”

be specific.

For example:

“The $5,000 grant would fund product photography, packaging, initial inventory, and a three-month digital marketing campaign to support our first product launch.”

Specificity helps funders understand what their investment could actually accomplish.

Don't Apply for Every Grant You Find

When you're searching for startup capital, it can be tempting to apply for every funding opportunity that appears in your search results.

That's usually not the best strategy.

Before applying, ask:

Do I meet every eligibility requirement?

Does this program actually fund businesses at my stage?

Does my business fit the funder's mission or target audience?

Can I clearly explain how I would use the money?

Is the opportunity legitimate and coming from a credible source?

Five well-matched applications can be more valuable than twenty applications submitted to programs that aren't a good fit.

Build a Grant Strategy, Not a Grant Wish List

Grant funding is competitive, and no legitimate grant program can guarantee that you'll receive an award.

That's why grants should generally be one part of your startup funding strategy—not your entire strategy.

Depending on your circumstances, your business may ultimately use a combination of:

Personal startup capital
Business revenue
Grants
Pitch competitions
Crowdfunding
Loans or microloans
Investors
Business partnerships

The goal isn't simply to find a grant.

The goal is to identify funding opportunities that make sense for your business and use them strategically to help you move forward.

Start Your Grant Search

Finding startup funding can take time, but new opportunities appear throughout the year.

At Juggernaut Trendy Bag, we research grants, funding resources, and educational information designed to help entrepreneurs make more informed decisions about business funding.

Explore our Grants section for current opportunities, and visit our Articles section for practical guidance to help you prepare stronger applications.

Remember: Grant amounts, deadlines, eligibility requirements, and application terms can change. Always verify current information directly with the organization offering the funding before applying.

Keep Searching. Keep Preparing. Keep Building.

Your business may be new, but that doesn't mean you have to wait until you're established to begin looking for opportunities.

Start preparing now—so when the right funding opportunity appears, you're ready.