Do you need funding for your Florida business? Then, you’re in the right place. On this page, we’ve compiled a comprehensive list of grants and loans that are only available to Florida businesses. Take a look to assess whether any of these Florida-specific business funding options may be right for you.
Department or Agency: Central County Community Development Corporation
Loan or Grant title: Small Business Loan Fund
This loan fund was created with the intention to make capital more accessible to minority and women-owned businesses. While small businesses throughout the state of Florida are eligible, the loan fund is primarily focused on South Florida businesses—specifically Palm Beach, Broward, and Miami-Dade counties. Loans range from $10,000 to $250,000 and can be used toward machinery, equipment, supplies, working capital, leasehold improvements, and other expenses. Businesses must operate in the state of Florida and have been in business for at least 18 months in order to qualify.
Department or Agency: Florida Department of Economic Opportunity
Loan or Grant title: Rebuild Florida Business Loan Fund
In an effort to drive and diversify economic growth, the Rebuild Florida Business Loan Fund deployed $40 million for statewide economic assistance, as well as an additional $10 million for counties impacted by Hurricane Michael. Loans start at $25,000 and cannot be used to repay existing debt or to pay employees following a disaster, among other limitations.
Department or Agency: Florida Department of Economic Opportunity
Loan or Grant title: Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program
This loan program is intended to “bridge the gap” for small businesses in the time between when disaster strikes and when longer-term recovery financing is secured. Eligible applicants may qualify for loans up to $50,000 if they have businesses that employ between two and 100 workers in the state of Florida and that were physically or economically impacted by the Broward County Flooding, among other requirements.
Department or Agency: Florida Department of Economic Opportunity
Loan or Grant title: Microfinance Guarantee Program
Florida is offering guarantees on loans for qualified entrepreneurs and small businesses in the state with 25 or fewer employees. These loans range from $50,000 to $250,000 and a guarantee can’t exceed 50% of the loan. Applicants must go through local lenders in order to be considered. Some examples of local lenders include Citizens Bank and Trust, First Commerce Credit Union, and United Bank, among others.
Department or Agency: South Florida Regional Planning Council
Loan or Grant title: Revolving Loan Fund
Small to mid-sized businesses in the Florida counties of Broward, Miami-Dade, and Monroe may be eligible for a revolving loan from South Florida Regional Planning Council, which offers loans between $25,000 and $500,000. Businesses within those counties must be looking to add more jobs, retain existing jobs, expand, or relocate. One job for every $20,000 borrowed must be created or retained.
Department or Agency: Florida Department of Commerce
Loan or Grant title: Florida State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI)
Florida’s SSBCI has five programs designed to support businesses that need easier access to capital, as well as businesses owned by socially or economically disadvantaged individuals. The five programs include collateral support, venture capital support, loan participation, loan guarantee, and capital access. Florida-based businesses with 500 employees or fewer are eligible for the programs.
Department or Agency: Miami Bayside Foundation
Loan or Grant title: Black Business Loan Program
Administered through the Miami Bayside Foundation, a certified CDFI, the Black Business Loan Program gives loans and loan guarantees to Black business owners who’ve struggled to get funding from traditional financing institutions. Qualified applicants can get loans from $5,000 to $75,000 to put toward working capital, equipment, cash flow, or inventory. To qualify, businesses need to be at least 51% Black-owned; located in Miami-Dade, Broward, or Monroe counties; and committed to creating several new jobs with the loan funds.
Department or Agency: Florida A&M University Federal Credit
Loan or Grant title: Black Business Loan Program
In partnership with the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity, the Florida A&M University Federal Credit gives loans between $10,000 and $250,000 to Black business owners who need support with working capital, inventory, or equipment. To qualify, businesses need to be at least 51% Black-owned, domiciled in the state of Florida, and willing to prove that the funds will result in new job creation.
Department or Agency: Florida A&M University Federal Credit
Loan or Grant title: SmartSteps Microlending Program
Florida A&M University Federal Credit gives loans between $5,000 and $50,000 to minority and women-owned businesses that need easier access to funds for working capital, inventory, and equipment. To qualify, businesses need to be at least 51% minority-owned or women-owned, domiciled in the state of Florida, Leon County, and willing to demonstrate the the loan will result in the creation of new jobs.
Department or Agency: Miami Bayside Foundation
Loan or Grant title: Small Business Loan for Minority-Owned Businesses
The Miami Bayside Foundation also offers loans from $5,000 to $75,000 for minority-owned businesses to use for working capital, equipment, cash flow, or inventory. To qualify, businesses need to be at least 51% minority-owned; located in Miami-Dade, Broward, or Monroe counties; and demonstrate that the loan will result in the creation of new jobs.
Department or Agency: CareerSource Florida
Loan or Grant title: Workforce Training Grant
CareerSource Florida provides grants to businesses in qualified target industries that need support training and growing their workforce. Businesses that invest in creating high-quality, full-time roles that pay at least 115% of Florida’s minimum wage are eligible for reimbursable training expenses.
Department or Agency: CareerSource Florida
Loan or Grant title: Incumbent Worker Training
CareerSource Florida offers grants to help businesses retain workers and address skills gaps. Qualified businesses can get up to 75% of employee training costs reimbursed. The program starts July 1, 2024 and runs through June 30, 2025.
Department or Agency: Veterans Florida
Loan or Grant title: Workforce Training Grant
Veterans Florida has a Workforce Training Grant that reimburses qualified employers for 50% of skills-based training costs for new or current employees. To qualify, your business needs to be in one of Florida’s designated high-tech industries, like clean tech, life sciences, aviation, homeland security, and professional services.
Department or Agency: City of Orlando
Loan or Grant title: Small Business Façade, Site Improvement and Adaptive Reuse Program (FSARP)
The Small Business Façade, Site Improvement and Adaptive Reuse Program (FSARP) is a forgivable loan program that helps support businesses in improving the appearance and functionality of abandoned or neglected business buildings and corridors within Orlando city limits. To qualify, businesses need to be located within Orlando; either be a commercial property owner, a new business moving into an existing space, or an existing business tenant; and propose three valid improvements to the space.
Department or Agency: City of Orlando
Loan or Grant title: Business Assistance Program
Orlando’s Business Assistance Program is a matching grant program that encourages businesses to move to or expand operations within Orlando. Qualified businesses can get up to $20,000 in matching funds to help offset the cost of development fees, including building permit fees and reconstruction expenses.
Department or Agency: City of Orlando
Loan or Grant title: Minority/Women Entrepreneur Business Assistance Program
Orlando’s Minority/Women Entrepreneur Business Assistance Program gives new and existing businesses within the Paramore area of downtown up to $40,000 in capital to put toward startup expenses, retention or relocation costs, equipment purchases, capital improvements, and marketing support. Qualified businesses need to be at least 51% minority or women-owned, have no more than 20 employees, and be based in the target area.
Department or Agency: City of Tampa
Loan or Grant title: Commercial Exterior Grant
The City of Tampa offers a Commercial Exterior Grant for businesses to improve the facade of their buildings and business sites. Qualified businesses can get up to $75,000 in matching funds to use for exterior deterioration repairs, painting, roofing, HVAC systems, decoration, and more.
Department or Agency: City of Tampa
Loan or Grant title: Commercial Interior Grant
The City of Tampa offers Commercial Interior Grants to certain businesses in Targeted Community Redevelopment Areas to help them improve the insides of their business facilities. Qualified businesses can get up to $75,000 in matching funds to upgrade electrical, HVAC systems, plumbing, security, and more.
Department or Agency: SelectFlorida
Loan or Grant title: Trade Grants
SelectFlorida offers four different service-based grants for export businesses in Florida that need help increasing sales and hitting growth targets. The grants include help with developing an export marketing plan, help developing an international website, help connecting with interested buyers, and help participating in global trade shows. To qualify, you must be located in Florida, have been in business for two years, have between three and 500 employees, and at least $250,000 in annual sales from the previous year.
Department or Agency: The Florida High Tech Corridor
Loan or Grant title: Early-Stage Innovation Fund
The Florida High Tech Corridor has an Early-Stage Innovation Fund designed to support early-stage innovations and applied research with commercial potential at the University of South Florida (USF). USF faculty teams can get up to $25,000 to put toward their early-stage companies and creations.
