Need a good reason to start a business in Wisconsin? How about this one: it has a fantastic business survival rate—43% of small businesses are still operating after a decade! If you’re a lucky Wisconsin business owner or you’re thinking of becoming one, take a look at these funding options below.
Department or Agency: Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation
Loan or Grant title: SBIR/STTR Assistance Micro-Grant
The SBIR/STTR Assistance Micro-Grant Program provides businesses with up to $4,500 to support the preparation of Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) or Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) grant proposals.
Department or Agency: Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation
Loan or Grant title: Venture Pitch Readiness Micro-Grant
The Venture Pitch Readiness Micro-Grant Program awards eligible businesses up to $4,500 to use on hiring a third party to help create an investor pitch deck. To be eligible for the grant, businesses must have already received a federal Phase I or Phase II SBIR/STTR award.
Department or Agency: Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation
Loan or Grant title: Business and Commercialization Micro-Grant
The Business and Commercialization Micro-Grant Program provides Wisconsin businesses with up to $4,500 to hire a third party to assist in writing a comprehensive business or commercialization plan. To be eligible, businesses need to be either expanding a technology or research-based product or seeking an SBIR/STTR plan.
Department or Agency: Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation
Loan or Grant title: SBIR Advance
The WEDC provides grant matching for businesses that have received a Phase I or Phase II federal SBIR grant. Businesses that have received a Phase I award are eligible for a 50% matching grant, up to $75,000. Businesses that have received a Phase II award are eligible for 100% matching per year for up to two years.
Department or Agency: State of Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development
Loan or Grant title: Wisconsin Fast Forward Grants
Fast Forward Grants is an annual program that supports businesses by reimbursing training costs for customized, occupational training of unemployed, underemployed, or incumbent workers. Grants typically range from $5,000 to $400,000 per grantee, and a 50% cash or in-kind match is required.
Department or Agency: Wisconsin Women’s Business Initiative Corporation (WWBIC)
Loan or Grant title: WWBIC Business Lending
WWBIC is Wisconsin’s largest microlender and economic development corporation. It focuses on serving Wisconsin startups and small businesses that struggle to access capital. Loans typically range from $1,000 to $100,000, but they can be as large as $350,000. Eligible uses include machinery, equipment, inventory, furniture, supplies, and working capital.
Department or Agency: Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation
Loan or Grant title: Technology Development Loans
Technology Development Loans are designed for organizations with evolving needs as they progress through their development cycle. Successful candidates are innovative companies with strong growth potential, looking to navigate challenges as they bring new technologies, products, and concepts to market. Financing is limited to 20% or less of a given project’s funding cycle, with the balance of funding required to be on hand before loan disbursement. Loan terms are typically 5–7 years, at a fixed interest rate of 6%.
Department or Agency: Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation
Loan or Grant title: Entrepreneurial Training Program
The Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation is partnering to offer Entrepreneurial Training Program reimbursement of up to 75% of the $1,000 course fee. The course is designed to help early-stage startups vet their ideas and learn how to develop an investment-ready business plan. Grant recipients must comply with requirements that include meeting attendance standards and completing a business plan within six months of starting the program.
Department or Agency: Wisconsin Department of Agriculture
Loan or Grant title: Dairy Processor Grants
Dairy Processor Grants are designed to preserve the long-term health and viability of Wisconsin dairy farmers. Applicants must run a licensed dairy processing operation that pasteurizes, processes, or manufactures milk or dairy products. It’s a competitive grant process, with award winners receiving up to $50,000 per processor per year. A 20% match is required of businesses that receive grants.
Department or Agency: Kenosha Area Business Alliance
Loan or Grant title: Financing
The Kenosha Area Business Alliance assists businesses in expanding or relocating to Kenosha. Businesses can use loan funds to acquire land, buy buildings, make leasehold improvements, cover working capital expenses, and purchase equipment.
Department or Agency: Lakeshore Business Improvement District
Loan or Grant title: Business Viability Improvement Program
The Business Viability Improvement Program provides eligible downtown Kenosha businesses with grant funding to enhance their operations. Businesses can receive up to 50% reimbursement of their project costs, up to $5,000.
Department or Agency: City of Waukesha
Loan or Grant title: Central City Storefront Activation Loan Program
The City of Waukesha gives low-interest loans to businesses in the downtown area to improve their commercial or mixed-use properties. Businesses can obtain loans of up to $50,000 at an interest rate of 1%.
Department or Agency: Dane County Department of Human Services
Loan or Grant title: Micro-Business Loan Program
Dane County offers a microloan program for businesses in Dane County (outside the city of Madison) who create jobs for low- and moderate-income residents. The loans range from $1,500 to $8,000.
Department or Agency: Dane County Department of Human Services
Loan or Grant title: Dane County Commercial Revitalization Loan Fund
Dane County provides businesses in downtown and commercial areas with access to use on fixed assets, machinery and equipment, and working capital. The minimum loan size is $25,000. Businesses must commit to creating at least one new full-time job for every $35,000 they borrow; they also must match their loan one-to-one with funds from a private lender.
Department or Agency: Dane County Department of Human Services
Loan or Grant title: Economic Development Revolving Loan Fund
Dane County gives capital to businesses investing in expansion and job creation in Dane County. The minimum loan size is $25,000, which businesses can use for various purposes, including building acquisition and working capital. Companies must commit to creating at least one new full-time job for every $35,000 they borrow; they also must match their loan one-to-one with funds from a private lender.
Department or Agency: City of Madison Economic Development
Loan or Grant title: Small Cap TIF Business Loan Program
The City of Madison offers forgivable loan funds to businesses in certain districts. Businesses can receive up to $250,000 for real estate purchases, remodeling, improvements, and expansion, as well as up to $150,000 for machinery and equipment purchases.
Department or Agency: Madison Development Corporation
Loan or Grant title: Business Loan Program
Madison Development Corporation offers business loans up to $200,00 for working capital, inventory, equipment, leasehold improvements, and real estate. To be eligible, businesses have to be located in Madison and create one new job for every $35,000 borrowed.
Department or Agency: City of Racine Community Development Authority
Loan or Grant title: Racine County Matching Grant Program
The City of Racine offers matching grants to eligible small businesses, including manufacturers, women-owned businesses, and minority-owned businesses. The grants are up to $2,500. To qualify, companies must have fewer than 200 employees and less than $25 million in annual sales.
Department or Agency: City of Green Bay
Loan or Grant title: Small Business Revolving Loan Funds
The City of Green Bay offers gap financing loans to eligible local businesses. Manufacturing, wholesale, and selected service businesses in Green Bay are eligible, and all for-profit businesses in the Broadway Redevelopment Area are eligible. Businesses can use the funds to acquire land, purchase machinery and equipment, cover working capital expenses, and take on construction and expansion projects. The minimum loan amount is $10,000, with a maximum of $250,000.
Department or Agency: City of Green Bay
Loan or Grant title: Commercial Façade Building Materials Grant
The City of Green Bay offers eligible businesses a commercial facade grant to improve their building’s exterior. Businesses can use the grant funds on masonry, supplies, awnings, exterior lighting, and commercial windows and doors.
Department or Agency: Downtown Appleton
Loan or Grant title: Business Recruitment Grant
The City of Appleton offers $1,000 boost grants to businesses that need a little extra capital to move downtown or open a new business there.
Department or Agency: Downtown Appleton
Loan or Grant title: City of Appleton TIF Enhancement Grants & ARA Business Enhancement Grants
The City of Appleton offers grants up to $7,000 (which require a 50% match from the business) to help businesses make exterior improvements to their commercial properties.
Department or Agency: Downtown Appleton
Loan or Grant title: ADI/BID Façade Restoration and Improvement Grants
Appleton offers grants to businesses that need assistance in enhancing their exterior aesthetics. Businesses can receive between $2,500 and $5,000 to use on minor improvements (such as painting and lighting) or facade renovations (like window upgrades).
Department or Agency: Greater Oshkosh Economic Development Corporation
Loan or Grant title: Greater Oshkosh Capital Catalyst Fund
The Greater Oshkosh Capital Catalyst Fund gives grants to startup operations in the greater Oshkosh area. Businesses in specialty industries, such as advanced manufacturing, agriculture, and aerospace, can receive between $10,000 and $100,000.
Department or Agency: Greater Oshkosh Economic Development Corporation
Loan or Grant title: Greater Oshkosh Revolving Loan Fund
The Greater Oshkosh Revolving Loan Fund helps finance businesses that offer high-income employment opportunities through their expansion or relocation projects. Businesses can get between $25,000 and $250,000.
Department or Agency: Greater Oshkosh Economic Development Corporation
Loan or Grant title: Rural Winnebago Revolving Loan Fund
The Rural Winnebago Revolving Loan Fund helps support small businesses that create jobs and stimulate the economy in the rural Winnebago area. Companies can receive between $10,000 and $40,000 to use for various business purposes.
Department or Agency: Greater Oshkosh Economic Development Corporation
Loan or Grant title: Winnebago County Revolving Loan Fund
The Winnebago County Revolving Loan Fund gives funding to businesses in Winnebago County that plan to expand. Businesses can receive $25,000–$250,000 to use for various purposes, including land acquisition and employee training.
Department or Agency: Downtown Oshkosh
Loan or Grant title: Recruitment Fund Grant
Downtown Oshkosh offers a Recruitment Fund Grant to businesses seeking assistance with starting or relocating to the downtown area. Businesses can get up to $5,000 in grant money.
Department or Agency: Downtown Oshkosh
Loan or Grant title: Beautification Grant Program
Downtown Oshkosh’s Beautification Grant Program is for businesses that need to make exterior improvements, like upgrades to their signage, awnings, paint, or lighting.
