Small business owners often need funding to help grow or maintain their businesses. Here, you’ll find grants and loans that are only available to employers who own and operate businesses within the great state of Arkansas. Scroll through these funding options to discover if any can help you grow your Arkansas business.
Department or Agency: Arkansas Baptist College
Loan or Grant title: ABC Entrepreneurship Loan
Arkansas Baptist College (ABC) created this revolving micro-loan in order to support businesses owned by ABC students and alumni. Current and former students with existing or start-up businesses in the state of Arkansas may be eligible to apply for loan amounts up to $5,000.
Department or Agency: State of Arkansas Office of Skills Development
Loan or Grant title: Grown Our Own Grant
Arkansas’ Grow Our Own Grant is a workforce development grant through the Office of Skills Development. To be eligible, businesses must have 250 or fewer employees and be headquartered in the state. The maximum funding available is up to 75% of the cost for customized employee training.
Department or Agency: Arkansas Economic Development Commission (AEDC)
Loan or Grant title: Seed Capital Investment Program (SCIP)
AEDC seeks to create innovative enterprises and boost the state’s economy through SCIP investments. To be eligible, Arkansas must be the principal place of business. Up to $500,000 can be allocated per enterprise, which must provide scientific and technological advances in Arkansas.
Department or Agency: Arkansas Economic Development Commission (AEDC)
Loan or Grant title: Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Matching Grant
In order for an Arkansas business to be eligible for the SBIR Matching Grant program, it must have received a federal SBIR grant. The matching program provides funds of up to 50% of the federal grant with the purpose of creating and retaining high-tech jobs.
Department or Agency: Arkansas Economic Development Commission (AEDC)
Loan or Grant title: Business and Technology Accelerator Grant
In an effort to encourage the growth of tech businesses, this AEDC’s Business and Technology Accelerator Grant program provides awards of up to $250,000. The funds are provided to programs that are designed to mentor up-and-coming businesses in the industry.
Department or Agency: The Venture Center
Loan or Grant title: Pitch N Pint
The Venture Center in Little Rock, AK, hosts an annual pitch competition where community entrepreneurs can pitch their business ideas to win cash prizes of up to $3,000.
Department or Agency: ReMix Ideas and Advancing Black Entrepreneurship
Loan or Grant title: Black Ownership Grants
Partnering together, ReMix Ideas and Advancing Black Entrepreneurship have created a grant program in support of black-owned businesses. Grants are awarded up to $5,000. Eligible businesses must be black-owned, for-profit companies located in Arkansas, among other criteria.
Department or Agency: ReMix Ideas and Advancing Black Entrepreneurship
Loan or Grant title: Black Ownership Bus Tour Competition
Black-owned, for-profit businesses registered in the state of Arkansas may be eligible to apply for a pitch competition that awards $5,000 to winners.
