North Carolina Small Business Grants Worth Applying For

If you own a North Carolina-based business and could benefit from additional funding, you can find many small business grants in North Carolina. Instead of having to give up equity in your business or pay back a loan, grants don’t have to be repaid under most circumstances and are a great funding option for businesses that qualify. Take a moment to review our overview of the top North Carolina small business grants.

1. One NC Small Business Program

The One North Carolina Small Business Program assists businesses in technology, engineering, math, or science. One North Carolina is made up of two programs: the SBIR/STTR Phase I Incentive Funds Program and the SBIR/STTR Phase I Matching Funds Program. The Incentive Funds program awards reimbursements to North Carolina businesses that have prepared and submitted a Phase I Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) or Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) proposal to the federal government. After submitting their proposal, a company can receive up to $12,000 in reimbursement costs caused by the proposal.

Once you’ve received a federal STTR or SBIR award, you can also receive a grant from the Matching Funds program. As the name suggests, this program provides matching funds to businesses in NC that have received a federal SBIR or STTR award. These funds aim to assist companies that are between the federal program’s Final Phase 1 payment and First Phase II payment while also increasing the amount of research performed in Phase 1.

North Carolina also offers a variety of other technology funding opportunities you can review to see if your business qualifies.

2. Job Development Investment Grant

If you’re starting a new company or expanding your business, you’ll want to apply for the Job Development Investment Grant (JDIG). This discretionary, performance-based incentive program gives cash grants to companies when they invest in the state and create jobs.

While these grants come with strict performance targets, they can provide a significant amount of funding to offset the cost of expanding or locating a facility in NC. If you receive the grant, the funding you receive will be based on the personal income tax withholdings associated with the new jobs your company is providing. Factors that JDIG takes into account before awarding funding include:

• The net new jobs created in the state
• The project’s location
• The wages paid to workers compared to the average wage of workers in the company’s county
• The industry sector of the company, alongside the industry’s alignment with NC’s targeted industry sectors
• The amount of investment the company has made in NC
• The county’s tier designation

3. Grants Provided by the MBDA

The Minority Business Development Agency from the United States Department of Commerce provides minority small business grants in North Carolina. If your company provides services that support the global competitiveness and growth of minority business enterprises, your business could qualify for a grant from the MBDA. Those interested in receiving these grants should monitor MBDA.gov for grant announcements.

4. NC Workforce Grants

North Carolina’s Workforce Grants are a collection of grant programs designed to benefit communities, employers, and workers. Typically, Workforce Grants help businesses upskill their employees by connecting them to training resources. By assisting and funding employee training, these grants make businesses more competitive and meet new industry needs. The primary grant programs offered through Workforce Grants include:

• Customized Training
• On-the-Job Training
• Incumbent Worker Training
• GoldenLEAF

5. State Trade Expansion Program

North Carolina’s State Trade Expansion Program (STEP) helps fund small businesses in North Carolina that trade internationally. When you qualify for STEP, you can receive up to $12,000 in reimbursements for expenses related to doing internal trade. Through this program, North Carolina aims to reduce costs for businesses that export products out of the country, promoting international trade in the state.

As of 2025, the program offers $3,000 worth of travel funding for businesses that co-exhibit in an Economic Development Partnership North Carolina booth at a trade show. They also offer up to $8,000 for booth costs at trade shows, export services and marketing media used to reach foreign markets, e-commerce and website localization fees, and EXIM credit insurance fees, among other costs.

Where Can Businesses Find Other Grants By Industry?

If you’re looking for other small business grants in North Carolina, the state government has a list of grants they provide to businesses, organizations, individuals, and local governments. For federal grants, you can use Grant.Gov’s search page to look for potential grants that could apply to your business. Besides state and federal governments, you may be able to find grants on your local government’s website.

Grow Your Business With the Greensboro Chamber of Commerce

If you want to get the most out of any grant you receive, the Greensboro Chamber of Commerce is ready to serve you. Whether you want to learn more about entrepreneurship, connect with other business leaders about the grant progress, or attend a business conference, we have a program or event for you. We also have multiple programs aimed at developing Greensboro’s workforce by improving the skills of existing workers and bringing talented Greensboro natives back to the city.

Find out more about how we can help your business grow today.