Encouraging Development, Growth & Expansion
EDGE 2.0 is here!
Revamped and Reimagined.
New Rules. New Era of Opportunity.
Click here to read our press release with all the details!.
Learn how to fill out the new EDGE application and ask your questions during our August 6th webinar.
*click on image to register
What are the major changes in EDGE 2.0 ?
1) A new online submission process.
2) No set number of winners
3) No set amount awarded to each one
4) More Money – Entrepreneur track: Up to $400K total available, STEM track: Up to $750K total available
5) Finalists and awardees will receive additional post-pitch in-kind services and/or award supports
Webinar Recordings and Powerpoints
July 23rd – Powerpoint Presentation and Webinar Recording
Contact one of the following Regional Business Managers with any questions:
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Joe Zilcosky: Joe.Zilcosky@delaware.gov – Industries: STEM, Fintech, Life Science, and Bio Science, Location: New Castle County
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Anastasia Jackson: Anastasia.Jackson@delaware.gov – Industries: Service-based, Hospitality, Retail, and Restaurant, Location: Kent Count
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Gemini Cornish: Gemini.Cornish@delaware.gov – Industries: Professional Services, Agriculture, Aquaculture, and Consulting, Location: Sussex County
Other Resources
Should I apply for the STEM or Entrepreneur Category 1.22.25
Budget and Matching Guidelines 7.8.24
Spring 2024 – Using SizeUp Delaware To Strengthen Your EDGE Application Webinar Recording
Program Overview
EDGE is a competition for grant funding. STEM (Science/technology/engineering/math)-based companies and Entrepreneur Class (non-STEM) businesses are eligible for funding. The funds are provided as a $3 (state) to $1 (business) match.
Who Is Eligible*
Qualified applications must:
- Be majority located in Delaware
- Be in business for less than 7 years
- Have 15 or fewer full-time employees
- Have less than $700K in assets
- Have a 3:1 match
Award Criteria*
Applications will be judged by a panel of experts on:
- Business need case
- Competitive advantage gained
- Business viability and likelihood of permanence
- Job creation/revenue growth
- Quality of your pitch
Eligible Expenses
Grant funding must be used to expand a business’s viability and sustainability, specifically:
- Market analysis assistance
- Advertising assistance
- Building infrastructure/cosmetic enhancements
- Essential equipment
- Web site design
- Rent assistance for lab space
*Other conditions and qualifications may apply
Frequently Asked Questions
A non-Delaware company may apply on the condition that it would relocate at least 51% of its business (employees and real property) to Delaware if awarded a grant. That relocation would need to take place before any funds would be disbursed. If you have an online only business, you (if you are the only employee) or at least 51% of your employees must be physically working in Delaware. Simply registering your online company in Delaware without a physical presence here does not count.
A company is not eligible for an EDGE Grant if it has been awarded any money through the Delaware Strategic Fund. This does not include money from DTIP (SBIR/STTR). In very rare circumstances, a business may be eligible for an EDGE Grant if the project involved is significantly different from the one that received previous funds. Contact a Regional Business Manager to talk about your specific situation.
No. Owners can only win EDGE once, even if they form a different business from the one they won with. If a former co-owner won EDGE, they too are disqualified from receiving a grant under their own company.
In accordance with state Freedom of Information Act policy, applicants may request confidentiality on items which they feel would likely cause them competitive harm or endanger a trade secret, if disclosed. If selected to pitch as a finalist, be advised that it will be open to the public and any information shared will be seen by members of the public.
The grants are primarily intended to assist people building private, for-profit companies. Thus 501(c)(3)s are not eligible.
Yes, you would apply as a sole proprietorship.
Cash, equipment or any non-state/local-government grants may be included as part of the match provided they are sufficiently tied to the project for which the company is seeking EDGE funding.
A company is not eligible for an EDGE Grant if it has more than $700,000 in net assets.
Part-time employees count as ½ employees for the purposes of the limit. Full-time employees count as 1. Any employee working fewer than 10 hours per week or fewer than four months per year does not count toward the employee limit, nor do contractors.
Finalists are announced approximately six to eight weeks after an application round closes with the winners chosen in the following weeks.
Yes, EDGE applicants who are not selected as finalists will receive an email from the Division. Please ensure that you have included an email address on your application and be sure to check that email in the weeks after submitting your application. If you have not heard anything on your application and you would like to check the status, please call us at 302-739-4271 for assistance.
Finalists will be required to present to a panel of expert judges. The pitch competition will be open to the public and media. All finalists will be notified of the date and location for judging.
In the weeks following the judging, winners will be notified via email that they have been selected as an EDGE Grant awardee. The Division of Small Business will then run a compliance check on all winning businesses to ensure they are in compliance with all state rules and regulations.
Yes, the EDGE Grant is taxable income, and grant funds cannot be used to pay any tax liabilities. We recommend you speak to an accountant regarding the details of your specific situation.
All EDGE AWARDEES – Including Project Descriptions
Learn more about the most recent grantees and what they plan to do with the funding.
