Division of Small Business

EDGE Grants

Encouraging Development, Growth & Expansion

The EDGE Grant program gives qualified small businesses in Delaware an edge by offering access to significant capital like never before.

The current round of EDGE has closed for applications. Check back on this site for future announcements on this round’s winners and for an announcement when funding will reopen in September 2022.

To view the recording of the EDGE Grants information session webinar recorded on March 15, 2022, click here. The presentation from the webinar is available at this link.

Haga clic aquí para escuchar una sesión informativa or haga clic aquí para obtener información sobre las subvenciones EDGE en español.

Have questions as you work on your application? Contact one of the Division of Small Business’s Regional Business Managers for assistance.

Grant Overview

The Division of Small Business awards EDGE Grants through a competitive selection process. STEM-based companies can receive up to $100,000 for eligible expenses. Entrepreneur Class (non-STEM) businesses can get up to $50,000. The funds are provided as a $3 (state) to $1 (business) match. And the Division can provide up to 10 grants per application round (5 STEM/5 Entrepreneur).

Who Is Eligible*

People

Qualified applications must:

Have been in operation less than 5 years
Employ 10 people or fewer
Be majority located in Delaware
Have not received a previous Strat Fund grant

Award Criteria*

Checklist

Applications will be judged by a panel of experts on:

Business need case
Competitive advantage gained
Business viability and likelihood of permanence
MWVBE status of business owner
Business location (DDD and/or Opportunity Zone)
Job creation/revenue growth

Eligible Expenses

Book of money

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

Looking for help?

Tips for a successful application

Contact one of the Division’s Regional Business Managers for assistance with your application.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a company apply if it is not based in Delaware?

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.

What grants, if previously received, disqualify a company from receiving an EDGE Grant?

A company is not eligible for an EDGE Grant if it has received any money through the Delaware Strategic Fund. This includes 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.

What level of confidentiality is provided to applications?

In accordance with state Freedom of Information Act policy, applicants may request confidentiality on items whose disclosure they feel would likely cause them competitive harm or endanger a trade secret.

Can a 501(c)(3) apply?

The grants are primarily intended to assist people building private, for-profit companies. That said, there may be a special circumstance in which a 501(c)(3) would be eligible. Contact one of the Division’s Regional Business Managers to discuss your organization’s eligibility before applying.

Can I apply for a grant if I have not yet formed my business?

Yes, you would apply as a sole proprietorship.

What can count as part of the grantee’s match?

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.

Are there requirements in terms of a company's net assets?

A company is not eligible for an EDGE Grant if it has more than $500,000 in net assets.

Are there any formatting guidelines for the proposal?

Refer to the EDGE Grants Tips Sheet and Checklist for font type and page limit, etc.

For the purpose of eligibility, how are part-time employees counted toward the limit of 10 employees?

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.

What happens after I submit my application?

When you submit your application, you will receive an automatic email notification letting you know the application was received. If you do not receive this automatic notification, please call our office at 302-739-4271 to verify that your application was received. All applications submitted before the deadline will be reviewed and scored internally and finalists will be chosen from those applications.

What is the timeline for the approval process?

Finalists are announced approximately six to eight weeks after an application round closes with the winners chosen in the following weeks.

Will I be notified if I am not selected as a finalist?

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.

What happens if my business is selected as a finalist?

Finalists will be required to present to a panel of expert judges. All finalists will be notified of the date and location for judging.

What happens if my business is selected as a winner?

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.

Para preguntas o asistencia con su solicitud, llame al (302) 739-4271. Ver un seminario web y una presentación en español.

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