Top Small Business Grants for 2025 in South Carolina

Small businesses are at the heart of America and South Carolina’s economies. Small businesses account for nearly 97% of South Carolina’s businesses and employ approximately 43% of the state’s workforce. It is vital that the small business community thrives and continues to invest in South Carolina. To fuel additional small business growth, the state and federal governments, as well as various private entities, provide grants to help start and grow small businesses in South Carolina. The small business grants vary by purpose and criteria. So, small business owners need to find grant opportunities that best match their situation and needs.

Small business owners should remember that, unlike loans, grants never need to be repaid. These programs are designed as investments in South Carolina’s economy, so as long as you qualify and use the funds as intended, the money is yours to keep.

To make it easier for you to navigate these opportunities, we’ve created a guide that breaks down the key grant programs available in South Carolina. Inside, you’ll find details on eligibility requirements, the application process, and tips to improve your chances of approval. We’ve also included examples of state, federal, and private grants so you can quickly find the ones that fit your business goals and take the next step toward growth.

What are small business grants?

When you start a small business, it needs funding to grow. As a business owner, you can fund your business through your personal funds, bank or personal loans, venture capital, or grants. Grant money is often the ideal form of funding because it does not come out of your pocket, never needs to be paid back, and does not require you to surrender your business equity. Of course, you and your business must qualify for the grant and use it properly, but otherwise, the money is yours once granted.

Grants can be beneficial during the early stages of your business or when trying to expand your business. During the start-up phase of a company, when your finances may be stretched, grant money can extend your cash and help you avoid incurring debt and paying the associated interest. Grants can help avoid accepting venture capital monies that generally require you to give them partial ownership of the business you are working hard to build. Grants provide many of the same benefits once your business is established, and you see opportunities to expand or branch into new services or offerings.

Numerous funding sources provide grants to small businesses, including federal government agencies, state and local governmental agencies, corporations, nonprofits, and private funds, as well as state and local foundations. Regardless of the source, you should be aware that while you do not need to repay the grants you receive, the grant money may need to be reported as taxable income.

South Carolina state-specific grants

Some grants are available only to South Carolina businesses and residents. In fact, there are so many grants available to South Carolina businesses that this article can describe only a portion of them. To help you find grants that may apply to your situation, consider using a consolidation site such as US Grants. Creating an account allows you to search for grants based on your state, industry, needs, or other variables.

Organizations such as SCORE and South Carolina Small Business Development Centers will help you identify appropriate grants and assist you during the application process.

Below are examples of South Carolina grants.

South Carolina Department of Commerce Export Incentives

The South Carolina Department of Commerce typically assists 65 businesses annually by paying export-related expenses through the SBA’s State Trade Expansion Program (STEP) or the South Carolina Opportunities for Promoting Exports (SCOPE) program. Grants can be used for:

• International Trade Show Expenses
• Export-related Training
• Website and Marketing Enhancements
• Federal Agency Expenses

Eligibility requirements for the grants include:

• Being an independently owned, for-profit enterprise operating in South Carolina for 2+ years
• Producing export-ready products with at least 51% U.S. content

Application process: best practices and tips

Grants are awarded based on the available funding and the number and strength of the submitted applications, so a strong and complete application is essential.

SC CompTIA IWT Scholarship

The SC CompTIA IWT Scholarship awards $5,000 scholarships to cover the cost of certified technology training for incumbent employees. The A+ program is a 16-week course that prepares workers for IT operations roles. Security+ is an 8-week program for managing IT infrastructure and cybersecurity. Selected employees participate in remote training for 11.5 hours per week.

Application process: best practices and tips

Eligible employers must be in South Carolina and have at least one non-owner employee. The company must require desktop or cybersecurity personnel and be current on all state tax obligations. The target trainees must be full-time employees (based on the Fair Labor Standards Act), have been employed for six months or more, possess an average or better understanding of information technology, and pass the pre-screening assessments.

Selection occurs on a first-come, first-served basis, so early applications are encouraged.

Industry-specific and niche grants: overview

Businesses may be eligible for industry-specific and niche grants. Industry grants support businesses in specific sectors, while niche grants focus on specific issues, such as energy efficiency or sustainability.

Dominion Energy Small Business Energy Solutions

The Dominion Energy Small Business Energy Solutions program is designed to reduce energy use and costs through enhancements to lighting and HVAC systems. The program pays 90% of the cost, up to $6,000.

Application process: best practices and tips

Eligible small businesses have five or fewer electric service accounts that use 350,000 kWh or less of energy per year. To apply, schedule an onsite energy audit, schedule an approved contractor to implement the recommended changes, and pay 10% of the implementation costs.

South Carolina Department of Commerce Catalyst Grant

The Catalyst Grant adds value to small and medium-sized manufacturers that supply the defense industry. It provides grants to encourage the adoption of Advanced Manufacturing Technologies, Quality Management Systems, and Lean Manufacturing tools and techniques.

Application process: best practices and tips

Applicants complete an online questionnaire by October each year, followed by an onsite assessment. Eligible firms:

• Operate within the DOD supply chain with an NAICS code beginning with 31, 32, or 33
• Have had a South Carolina location for 1+ year and have 4+ employees

Federal grants available to South Carolina businesses

Federal grant programs are often quite competitive and have strict requirements. Their rigorous processes ensure equity in awarding grants, which often have large budgets and dispense sizable amounts. Some federal programs are administered federally; others provide funds to the states that handle the selection and disbursement processes.

America’s Seed Fund

The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs use America’s Seed Fund to distribute approximately $4 billion annually for technology development and commercialization in various fields, including agriculture and quantum information science.

Recipients receive the funding in three stages, including proof of concept, technology development, and commercialization.

Application process: best practices and tips

Eligible companies are owned by U.S. citizens or permanent residents, located in the U.S., and have fewer than 500 employees. The South Carolina Research Authority offers grants to fund your proposal for this program.

U.S. Small Business Administration State Trade Expansion Program (STEP)

Administered through the South Carolina Research Authority, the STEP program encourages technology-related developments in the state. Its Start Up Grant provides up to $25,000 to early-stage companies working toward commercializing their products or pursuing additional funding. Eligibility requirements include being:

• Organized as a for-profit organization
• Located in South Carolina or with 51% of employees in the state
• An SCRA member that provides technology-based solutions, ideally with intellectual property protection

Application process: best practices and tips

Interested companies should contact their Relationship Manager to discuss the grant. Those who pass the initial review are invited to apply for funding. After you submit the requested documentation, your Relationship Manager presents your request to the SC Launch Team. Approved awards are typically funded within 20 days of notification.

Corporate and private foundation grants

Various corporations and private foundations offer grants for small businesses. Some programs provide grants annually, while others skip years.

FedEx E-Commerce Learning Lab and Beginner’s Cohort Program

The FedEx E-Commerce Learning Lab helps small business owners develop or expand their e-commerce by providing on-demand video training resources. In addition, the Beginners’ Cohort program supports small businesses looking to establish an e-commerce presence or whose online sales have stagnated. Program graduates receive $5,000 grants to develop their e-commerce capabilities further.

Historically, the graduates have included women, people of color, and/or low-income business owners, but any small business owner can apply who meets the following criteria: 

• Own a U.S.-based business that sells packaged, shelf-stable products that are in a prohibited industry
• Possess necessary legal permits to produce and sell your product(s) 
• Have been in business for at least six months and earned less than $500,000 in 2024 revenue

Application process: best practices and tips

The application process opens in June so check the site at that time. The program takes three to four hours per week from early August to mid-December.

Participants must substantially meet the eligibility criteria, including submitting:

• Government-issued photo identification
• Most recent business tax return, business license, or registration document
• Most recent business bank statement

The Second Service Foundation Military Entrepreneur Challenge

The Second Service Foundation offers training, mentorship, networking events, and capital grants to support ex-military entrepreneurs. The organization sponsors the Military Entrepreneur Challenge. The challenge involves competitive one-to-several-minute business pitches about your company.

Regional semifinalists earn $1,000 grants, with the first-place finisher earning another $1,000. The national competition awards $15,000, $6,000, and $4,000 for first, second, and third place.

Application process: best practices and tips

The program’s applicant criteria include:

• Veteran, Reservist, National Guardsman, or transitioning active-duty Military Members, their spouses, and surviving Gold Star Family members
• Personal net worth below $850,000 and adjusted annual income of less than $400,000
• Own at least 51% of the applying business. Franchise businesses are not eligible.

The Military Entrepreneur Challenge publishes a detailed rule book describing the pitch process.

Conclusion

The grants highlighted here are just a starting point; South Carolina has many more opportunities waiting for motivated business owners. Take the time to explore the programs that fit your industry and goals, prepare a strong application, and put yourself in the best position to win funding. The sooner you get started, the sooner you can use that capital to grow your business and strengthen your impact in the community.