Top Small Business Grants for 2025 in Wisconsin

Entrepreneurs and industry leaders will be happy to learn that Wisconsin ranks among the best states to open a small business. With a population that hovers around 6 million, 97 percent of all companies are small businesses. More than 450,000 enterprises with fewer than 500 staff members employ over 1 million people. But the reasons to launch a startup or expand an existing one run deeper.

While new ventures struggle to gain traction in some states, Wisconsin bucks the trend of early closures. Savvy professionals who open in America’s Dairyland post an 81 percent win rate through the first year. Research indicates the entities in Wisconsin enjoy the second-highest rate of 5-year prosperity in the nation. A big reason fledgling operations thrive is due to funding opportunities, such as small business grants. Along with loans, owners and operators can apply for an abundance of small business grants in Wisconsin. If you’ve recently founded a startup or are considering filing for an LLC in Wisconsin, these are small business grants worth investigating.   

What are small business grants? 

Grants are, essentially, funding opportunities that Wisconsin small businesses do not have to repay. Unlike Small Business Administration (SBA) loans or leveraging your personal credit and assets, small business grants do not saddle organizations with paying back the funds with interest. The grant opportunities available to Wisconsin-based operations can be used for a wide variety of economic stability and growth purposes. Niche Wisconsin grants can be leveraged to hire employees, remodel facilities, purchase equipment, and a myriad of other goal-oriented objectives.

Although you don’t have to worry about paying back small business grants, some are designed to serve very specific purposes and may have spending restrictions. It’s not uncommon for a Wisconsin grant program to serve individual municipalities, industries or demographics. For example, there are small business grants available for women-owned, veteran, and minority-owned ventures. If you’re ready to make your business idea a reality, it’s in your best interest to apply to an appropriate Wisconsin grant program for funding.

Wisconsin state-specific grants

Following through on its business-friendly reputation, Wisconsin supports startups and niche industries by providing grants that do not need to be repaid, matching opportunities, and access to low-interest loans. The primary vehicle for grant opportunities is the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC). These are small business grants that support entrepreneurs opening up shop.  

Collaborative market access grant

These grant opportunities are available to non-profit organizations and associations in Wisconsin that are ready to export goods and materials. An eligible existing business or startup can apply for up to $15,000 to increase exports.

How to apply

Contact the WEDC for application information.

International market access grant

This small business grant reimburses Wisconsin companies for expenditures related to international commerce. Expenses may include the costs of traveling to and attending trade shows or promoting goods and materials in markets outside the U.S. Companies must be operational for a minimum of 12 months to receive $10,000 in reimbursement. If your startup completes the ExporTech program, it may be eligible for a $25,000 award. Entrepreneurs must agree to match funding opportunities at a rate of 30 percent.

How to apply

Contact the WEDC for a small business grant application.

Wisconsin Center for Technology Commercialization (CTC) Micro-Grants

Eligible startups and organizations can receive a $4,500 reimbursement for development expenses. The Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer programs offer small business grants in Wisconsin to support research and development. The application and program will be reviewed by a federal authority to gain approval.

How to apply

Visit the grant application portal at Wisconsin CT.

Wisconsin Entrepreneurial Training Program Grant

If you would benefit from enrolling in the entrepreneurial training program at a University of Wisconsin campus, this grant opportunity covers up to 75 percent of the cost for eligible applicants. The program runs about $1,000 and is designed to help entrepreneurs refine their business plans.

How to apply

Contact the Small Business Development Center for more information.

Wisconsin Fast Forward (WFF) Grants

This small business grant provides up to $50,000 in reimbursements for outfits that implement training programs. Startups and growing initiatives must implement workforce programs that help employees and trainees acquire transferable knowledge and skills. The funds can be employed to cover the cost of salaries, materials, and curriculum development. The program requires organizations to match 50 percent of the award with cash or in-kind contributions.

How to apply:

Applications are available at Wisconsin Fast Forward.

Cooperative Development Grants

Grant opportunities are available to Wisconsin cooperatives and businesses that are interested in converting their business model. These resources can be accessed in advance for organizations that currently work together and others wishing to adopt a cooperative model. The small business grants can be used to pay for consulting fees, feasibility studies, legal services, and outsourcing accounting responsibilities. These small business grants have a limit of $50,000 per applicant.

How to apply

Visit the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation’s Cooperative Grant Development web page for more information.

Industry-specific and niche grants

 Quality of life and a diverse culture add to the lengthy list of reasons people reside in Wisconsin and open small businesses in their communities. The state supports a variety of endeavors that rely on grant opportunities to thrive in municipalities that might otherwise go unfunded. These are niche grants available to startups and entrepreneurs in select industries.  

Creation and presentation grants

These grants support the costs of non-profit operations that develop arts programming at the local, regional, and state levels. Programs must have a cultural impact on Wisconsin residents in terms of community development or arts education outcomes. 

How to apply

Visit the Wisconsin Arts Board for more information and an application.

Woodland Indian Arts Program

Delivering economic support for Native American arts, funding opportunities are distributed from the Gaming Compact revenues to tribes, organizations, and indigenous populations. These grants help keep native arts and culture thriving in the modern era.

How to apply

Visit the Wisconsin Arts Board for more information and an application.

Minority Organizations Grant Program

Available to artistic non-profit organizations that have African-American, Hispanic-American, Native American, or Asian-American control, the Arts Challenge Initiative Capacity Building for Minority Organizations Grant Program provides funding to support the long-term sustainability of these necessary cultural elements.

How to apply

Visit the Wisconsin Arts Board for more information and an application.

Folk Arts Apprenticeship Program

Offering a maximum award of $3,500, the Folk Arts Apprenticeship Program helps underwrite the cost of teaching traditional skills and talents to aspiring musicians, singers, dancers, storytellers, and craft makers. The grant opportunities help keep folk arts traditions alive and well.

How to apply

Visit the Wisconsin Arts Board for more information and an application.

Federal grants available to Wisconsin businesses

If you find you are not qualified for small business grants in Wisconsin, the federal government offers programs. The SBA ranks among the leading resources for grant promotion and access to small business loans. These resources help entrepreneurs who establish startups in Wisconsin get their footing.  

SBIR & STTR

The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs run through the SBA. These funding opportunities offer financial support for technology startups, as well as organizations in the early stages of development. The SBIR and STTR programs have an interest in innovations that further healthcare, military defense, and energy, among others.

How to apply

The SBIR website provides in-depth information regarding the small business grants. If this seems like a good fit for your outfit, click on the Apply tab and follow the prompts.

U.S. Small Business Administration Grants

The SBA provides grant opportunities in every state. Helping Wisconsin entrepreneurs secure funds and resources, the SBA is of great importance to small businesses. It helps entrepreneurs find resources, including low-interest startup loans and grants, throughout the country. In Wisconsin, manufacturing grants are available to non-profit and not-for-profit organizations that have been operating for the past three years. These are other SBA grants worth considering.

• Boots to Business (B2B): This program is available to organizations run by veterans.
• Program for Investors in Microentrepreneurs (PRIME): This program delivers training, technical assistance and advice for disadvantaged microentrepreneurs.

How to apply

Visit the SBA’s funding programs page and click through to Grants for Community Organizations. You’ll find a list of grant opportunities, detailed information, and a database of commonly used forms. 

Minority/Women-Owned Business Enterprise Grants

In Wisconsin, women- and minority-owned small businesses are supported through the state’s Department of Administration. The agency does not directly provide small business grants in Wisconsin. Instead, it helps certify entities that are at least 51 percent owned by women or minorities. Once approved, local organizations can apply for benefits from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA).

How to apply

Visit the State of Wisconsin Supplier Diversity Program for more information.

Corporate and private foundation grants

When seeking corporate grants and funds from private foundations, it’s essential to understand that these entities are not doling out free money. Large companies typically invest in startups and emerging businesses that align with their long-term goals. Foundations, on the other hand, look for upstart businesses and non-profits that help further issues such as social justice, funding the arts, and promoting environmental sustainability.

National Association for the Self-Employed (NASE) Growth Grant

You’ll likely need to weigh the cost of joining this DC-based advocacy organization against the potential benefits. NASE approves about $1 million in small business grants each year. The Growth Grants usually have a limit of $4,000.

How to apply

Visit NASE and determine whether joining is a good fit for your startup or growing business. Grant and scholarship information is located under the Become a Member tab.

The Amber Grant

Amber Grant payouts range between $10,000 and $25,000 to women-owned businesses each month. Established by WomensNet in 1998, the organization offers niche industry grants as well as annual awards.

How to apply

Fill out an application on WomensNet and include a heartfelt narrative about your goals and business.  The platform also offers free grant tips.

Verizon Small Business Digital Ready

The cellular and internet giant offers eligible small businesses grants of $10,000. Verizon’s program includes an educational element, networking, mentorships, and financial support. Startups must meet certain specific business criteria to be eligible.

How to apply

Visit the Verizon Small Business Digital Ready web page for detailed information.

Conclusion

Securing small business grants in Wisconsin can make a significant difference in terms of navigating startup headwinds and gaining access to talented people, equipment, and technologies. If you are starting a small business, these grants can give you the support needed to build a strong foundation and set your venture up for long-term success. Don’t shy away from hiring a professional grant writer, taking a course, or utilizing an online resource when applying for grant opportunities in Wisconsin.