Vermont is fortunate to have a variety of capital and incentive programs. Capital sources range from angel investing to an array of debt sources at the Vermont Economic Development Authority and elsewhere. Our incentive programs have been rated amongst the best. Professionals at the Agency of Commerce and Community Development and our Regional Development Corporations are ready to help you identify the best source for your need and support you through eligibility and applications processes.
State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI). In 2022, the State of Vermont received $57.9 million in federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding to provide more access to capital for Vermont entrepreneurs and small business startups. DED is partnering with the Vermont Economic Development Authority (VEDA) to divide those SSBCI funds evenly between two programs:
- Venture Capital Program – this program will allocate nearly $29 million to venture capital that will focus on seed fund investments; leveraging accelerator programs to make small investments in rural, pre-seed stage companies; and investments in high-growth, technology innovation companies in the healthcare sector. To see the Request for Proposal for participation in the Venture Capital Program, click here.
- Loan Participation Program – this program will allocate nearly $29 million to a loan participation program, administered by VEDA, which will leverage private funds to help small businesses grow, create good paying jobs, and serve underserved markets.
For more on the Venture Capital Program and Loan Participation Program, visit VEDA’s website.
Financing and capital to grow your business - Next to having a solid business plan, having the financial support to make your plan a reality is what will help make a business successful. Depending on where your business is located, what industry sector it’s in and what your specific financial needs are, we help provide access to funding sources that include federal and state programs, as well as an array of loans and venture capital.
Grants and innovation opportunities - There are special R&D programs just for small businesses - the SBIR program and the STTR program and many more R&D programs in the federal government. These programs ensure that the nation's small, high-tech, innovative businesses are a significant part of the federal government's research and development efforts.
Investment Capital - Vermont Economic Development Authority and other lenders
Northern Border Regional Commission Grants - The Northern Border Regional Commission, a federal-state partnership for economic and community development, has announced its 2016 awards, which total $1,824,000 for Vermont. Made possible due to the leadership of our federal congressional delegation, the Northern Border Regional Commission works to combat economic distress in the counties of Essex, Orleans, Caledonia, Lamoille, and Franklin counties in Vermont and also in other economically distressed regions of Maine, New Hampshire, and New York.
R&D Funding - In partnership with the Vermont Small Business Development Center (VtSBDC), the Vermont Procurement Technical Assistance Center (VTPTAC) offers services to Vermont businesses who wish to pursue U.S. Government R&D funding. Working with VT SBDC, we can help you seek funds under Broad Agency Announcements (BAAs), which are open to large and small businesses. There is even a Vermont program designed to get Vermont businesses started on the R&D path: the VT EPSCoR "phase 0" program. VT SBDC can help you access technology funding to advance your ideas. Please visit VT SBDC for more information and for the SBIR contact.
Vermont Crowdfunding/Vermont Small Business Offering Exemption - VSBOE allows Vermont businesses and start-up companies to raise up to $2 million in capital by selling shares in their company to in-state investors. The regulation allows for a simplified process to reduce the regulatory burdens and costs usually associated with securities registration.