Get Access to Business Grants

🌍 Africa & EMEA Business Grants and Funding Opportunities

Access to capital is a key driver for business growth and innovation across Africa, Europe, and the Middle East. This curated list highlights 10 recurring grants and funding programs designed to support startups and small businesses tackling diverse challenges — from technology and social impact to agriculture and women’s empowerment. These opportunities offer seed funding, mentorship, training, and acceleration to help entrepreneurs scale their ventures and drive economic development in their communities. Explore eligibility and application details below to find the right fit for your business journey.

Tony Elumelu Foundation Entrepreneurship Program (Africa)

• Annual program offering $5,000 seed capital, mentorship, and training to African entrepreneurs across all sectors.
  Website: tonyelumelufoundation.org

African Development Foundation (USADF) Grants (Africa)

• Grants from $25,000 up to $250,000 for African startups and small enterprises focused on agriculture, energy, and youth employment.
  Website: usadf.gov

She Leads Africa Accelerator (Africa)

• Provides funding, mentorship, and training to African women-led startups, focusing on scaling their businesses.
  Website: sheleadsafrica.org

European Innovation Council (EIC) Accelerator (Europe)

• Funding and support up to €2.5 million for innovative startups and SMEs across Europe focusing on breakthrough technologies.
  Website: eic.ec.europa.eu

Arab Women’s Enterprise Fund (Middle East & North Africa)

• Grants and training programs supporting women entrepreneurs in MENA countries.
  Website: arabwomensenterprisefund.org

MEST Africa Seed Fund (Africa)

• Seed funding up to $50,000 plus incubation support for African tech startups selected through the MEST program.
  Website: mestafrica.com

EU-Africa Innovation Fund (Africa & Europe)

• Supports startups and SMEs with innovations impacting social and economic development in Africa and Europe.
  Website: europeaid.ec.europa.eu

Orange Social Venture Prize (Africa & Middle East)

• Annual competition awarding up to €25,000 to startups using technology to improve life in Africa and the Middle East.
  Website: orange.com

British Council’s Skills for Employability and Entrepreneurship (SEE) Program (Africa & Middle East)

• Provides training grants and business development support targeting youth entrepreneurs.
  Website: britishcouncil.org

Seedstars World Competition (Africa & EMEA)

• Global startup competition with regional events offering equity investments up to $500,000 and acceleration programs.
  Website: seedstars.com

🏆 Recurring Small Business Grant Opportunities (U.S.)

Explore Recurring Grant Opportunities for Small Business Owners Across the U.S.
Finding funding shouldn’t feel like a full-time job. Whether you’re launching a startup, expanding your operations, or recovering from setbacks, there are numerous grant programs designed to support entrepreneurs like you. This curated list features over 15 recurring small business grants available in the United States—ranging from $500 to $25,000—offered by trusted nonprofits, corporations, and government partners. These grants span a variety of industries and business stages, and many include coaching, community access, or other support beyond funding.

Freed Fellowship Grant

• Monthly $500 grants + end-of-year $2,500 award. Includes business feedback and access to a support community.
  🔗 Apply here

Skip Instant Grants

• Rolling $500–$1,000 grants, often twice monthly. Applicants must join Skip’s YouTube livestream. 🔗 Check current openings

Honeycomb x Sengo Spark Grant

• One $3,000 grant for Sengo subscribers, two $1,000 grants for general applicants. Supports underrepresented founders.

  🔗 Learn more and apply 

ZenBusiness $5K Grant Program

• $5,000 grant for ZenBusiness customers who’ve recently launched their business (3–6 months old) 🔗 Apply here

Allstate Main Street Grants Program

• $20,000 grant for 63 businesses + coaching for 250 selected applicants. Deadline: July 25, 2025. 🔗 Program details & application

🛍️ Faire Small Business Grant

• $5,000 in Faire credit to help new retailers with inventory costs.
  🔗 Apply on Faire

Hustler’s Microgrant

• Monthly $1,000 grants to support passionate entrepreneurs.
  🔗 Details and application

Verizon Small Business Digital Ready Grant

• $10,000 grant for completing 2 online courses/events. 50 recipients per cycle. Deadline: June 30, 2025.
  🔗 Sign up and apply

CO—100 2025 Recognition Program (U.S. Chamber of Commerce)

• Awards $2,000 to 10 businesses, $25,000 to one Top Business. Includes national exposure and networking.
  🔗 CO—100 info & apply

Small Business Hero Program (Intuit QuickBooks & Mailchimp)

• Quarterly $20,000 grants recognizing integrity and innovation. Open until May 15, 2026.
  🔗 Nominate or apply here

Secretsos™ Small Business Grant

• $2,500 grant. Deadline: June 30, 2025. Open to most U.S. states (excludes AK, FL, HI, NY, RI).
  🔗 Apply here

Small Business Readiness for Resiliency (R4R) Program

• Offers disaster preparedness resources and funding when needed.
  🔗 Program info

Start.Pivot.Grow. Micro Grant

• Quarterly $2,500 grant for small U.S. businesses with ≤2 employees and ≥$50K in annual revenue.
  🔗 Apply here

Awesome Foundation Grants

• Monthly $1,000 microgrants from local chapters for creative and impactful projects.
  🔗 Submit your idea

$5,000 Skip Growth Grant

• Supports launching or scaling a business. Business plan required. Deadline: July 18, 2025.🔗 Apply on Skip

Gold House Ventures. 

• Gold House Ventures (API) entrepreneurs driving industry change. Through its Futures Network, it offers funding, mentorship, and a startup accelerator to help founders grow and connect.

HerRise MicroGrant.

• The HerRise MicroGrant supports U.S.-based, women-of-color-owned businesses focused on innovative community solutions and facing funding challenges. Winners are announced the month following application review. Applications are reviewed monthly, with winners announced during the subsequent month’s 

Hivers and Strivers Investment Program.

• This angel investment group provides funding from $250,000 to $1 million to veteran-owned and veteran-led businesses. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, though businesses primarily dependent on government contracts are ineligible. 

IFundWomen Universal Grant Application.

• Venture capital firm Kapor Capital is a venture capital firm investing in early-stage, tech-driven startups focused on closing access gaps and promoting equity for underrepresented and low-income communities. Interested businesses can apply through a brief pitch process.

Military Reservist Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program (MREIDL). 

• The MREIDL offers up to $2 million in low-interest loans (4%) to small businesses impacted when an essential employee is called to active duty. Loan terms can extend up to 30 years.

#MomsMeanBusiness

• ZenBusiness is helping moms start their own businesses by covering the full cost of forming an LLC. The program includes support with business name registration, expense tracking, and more. Open to all mothers in the U.S., with applications accepted on a rolling basis.

National Association for the Self-Employed (NASE) Growth Grants.

• According to its website, the NASE has distributed over $1 million in grants to its members. Its growth grants provide up to $4,000 to assist with training, marketing, and more. You must be a member for 90 days before you are eligible to apply.

Olga Loizon Memorial Foundation.

Patagonia Corporate Grant Program. 

• Patagonia’s corporate grant program awards $10,000–$20,000 grants to nonprofits focused on environmental protection. 

Rauschenberg Medical Emergency Grant. 

• The Rauschenberg Medical Emergency Grant  Applicants must earn under $75K ($150K for joint filers), and grants cover urgent out-of-pocket costs, excluding ongoing care or living expenses.

The Restaurant Disaster Relief Fund. 

• The DoorDash/Hello Alice Restaurant Disaster Relief Fund offers $10,000 grants to U.S.-based restaurants, bakeries, and gastropubs recovering from declared natural disasters. Eligible businesses must have under 3 locations, fewer than 50 employees per site, under $3M in annual revenue per location, and be operating for at least 6 months.