Ohio is a land replete with small businesses and innovative thinkers. There are about 1.1 million small businesses currently operating in the “Buckeye State,” accounting for 99.6% of all businesses in the state and employing 43.8% of Ohio workers. This metric means that the vast majority of Ohio-based businesses are considered small companies.
Thanks to economic uncertainty throughout the nation, though, small businesses are especially at risk of failure due to inadequate funding, which endangers operating costs and impedes a business’s growth. Of course, this is most felt in the initial years of a business’s beginning, when it is challenging to keep the doors open. Thankfully, small business grants are one way to fund small business ventures that do not require payback, and therefore, do not heap even more pressure on small business owners to turn a profit immediately.
Small businesses are what built the backbone of America, and they are just as important, if not more so, to today’s economy as larger corporations. Therefore, all Ohio small business owners, including anyone running a new Ohio LLC, should learn as much as possible about the type of grants available for small businesses and how to go about gaining access to these funds.
This informative piece will explain all about small business grants in Ohio and on the federal level as well. It will also outline how to best apply to them and information about eligibility. As a small business owner, business grants can be the way for you to achieve your dreams and fulfill your life goals. Read on to learn more:
What are small business grants?
Before delving deeper into the specifics of types of small business grants, it’s helpful to understand what the term means overall. In short, a small business grant is a sum of money awarded or bestowed upon a business. This is usually given by a private organization, government, federally, or at the state level. This grant, termed “free money” by some, is just that, a sum of money that does not require repayment.
While the thought of free money sounds appealing to virtually anyone, small business owner or entrepreneur included, it isn’t without some drawbacks. The primary one being that they can be difficult to get or qualify for due to immense competition among business owners. As you might imagine, when funds are available and do not require repayment, this gets a lot of attention.
The purpose of these grants, though, in addition to helping residents thrive by becoming business owners, is to provide support for specific projects and to achieve specific goals. For example, minority-owned businesses or small businesses within unique industries that might be struggling to thrive might have more opportunities to “win” grants or be awarded this funding. Knowing what it costs to start and run an Ohio LLC will help you decide how much funding to look for.
Ohio-specific grants
The following is a list of small business grants in Ohio. These are available to small business owners who currently reside in the state of Ohio or will be relocating into the state. The following are some of the most applicable for Ohio small businesses:
Ohio Meat Processing Grant
Offered by the Ohio Department of Development, this up to $500,000 grant provides funds to meat harvesting and processing facilities throughout Ohio for expansion and improvement purposes. Visit the Ohio Department of Development to apply and learn more about eligibility. Grants go to federal- or state-registered meat harvesting and processing facilities in Ohio. Across its first four funding rounds (2022–2024), the program has awarded 179 grants totaling nearly $42 million to meat processors in 62 of Ohio’s 88 counties. A fifth round has not yet been announced.
Application process and grant details: tips and practices
Recipients must own or operate a meat processing and/or harvesting facility within the state to qualify for this grant. Businesses must also be for-profit and in good standing with Ohio and government agencies.
TechCred
TechCred is a workforce development program administered by the Ohio Department of Development that reimburses Ohio employers up to $1,000 per employee, per credential, and up to $30,000 per application, for the cost of earning a technology-focused credential, such as data analytics certifications, project management credentials, or industry-specific technical certifications. The program is designed to help Ohio businesses of any size and industry upskill their current or future employees for an increasingly tech-driven economy.
Application process and grant details: tips and practices
The current application round is open from October 1 to October 30, 2026. Check the TechCred site regularly for future rounds. Your business will need to identify an eligible credential-granting provider and submit an application before the employee begins training, as reimbursement is only available for credentials completed after an approved application.
Federal grants available to Ohio businesses
The following are grants available through the federal government for small businesses:
State Trade Expansion Program (STEP)
This grant program, run by the Small Business Administration (SBA), was initially set up in 2011 to help businesses expand into international markets. SBA awards STEP funds to states. In Ohio, businesses apply through the Department of Development’s International Market Access Grant for Exporters (IMAGE), which reimburses 50% of eligible export costs, up to $10,000 per grant year. Visit the Directory of STEP awardees for more information.
Application process and grant details: tips and practices
STEP-funded programs can help cover costs related to reverse trade missions, export training workshops, translation fees, design of a media market, export initiatives, and participation in trade missions.
Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Program
This is part of America’s Seed Fund, which is a federal government initiative designed to help small businesses advance through technological innovation. Small businesses using STTR funds must partner with a research institution to further develop their ideas.
Application process and grant details: tips and practices
Visit here for a complete list of the current agencies participating in the STTR program. The USDA, Department of Commerce, Department of Defense (DOD), Department of Energy (DOE), Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Department of Education (ED) are just a few of the many participating federal agencies.
Note: The SBIR and STTR programs lapsed on September 30, 2025, after Congress missed the reauthorization deadline. Both programs were reauthorized on April 13, 2026 and are now active through September 30, 2031.
Corporate and private foundation grants
Many times, corporate businesses, non-profit organizations or foundations award grants to small businesses as a way of giving back to their communities or to honor someone’s memory or life. The following are some grants that fall into this category:
Hiring Our Heroes
As a way to give back to those who have given so much, the Heroes Small Business Grant Program is awarded to veterans and their spouses to be used to grow and support their business growth. It is run by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation and is designed to help those who gave to our country through military service. Five grants are awarded annually: four recipients receive $10,000 each, and one standout business receives a $25,000 grand prize.
Application process and grant details: tips and practices
Applications for the next cycle are open until December 15, 2026. Businesses must be for-profit and based in the United States, be at least 51% owned by a veteran or military spouse, and have 3 to 20 employees and under $5 million in revenue. Previous grant winners of the Hiring Our Heroes grant include businesses ranging from a landscaping company to an endurance sport event organizer.
JobsOhio Small Business Grant (Formerly JobsOhio Inclusion Grant (JOIG))
This program is now officially called the JobsOhio Small Business Grant (sometimes still referred to by its earlier name, the Inclusion Grant, by some regional partners). It provides up to $50,000 in financial assistance to small and medium-sized businesses. Funds can be used for real estate investment, machinery and equipment purchases, and training costs.
Application process and grant details: tips and practices
To qualify, a business must have annual revenue between $100,000 and $25 million, operate within one of JobsOhio’s 10 target industries, and have at least one year of operating history. The project must increase payroll or employment by at least 10%, and retail and professional services aren’t eligible. There’s no direct online application. Businesses first work with their regional JobsOhio network partner (such as REDI Cincinnati, the Regional Growth Partnership, or one of the other five regional partners), who will vet the opportunity before a formal offer is extended. Visit their website to find your regional partner and get started.
DoorDash Local Business Disaster Relief Fund
The DoorDash Local Business Disaster Relief Fund offers $5,000 grants for independent brick-and-mortar businesses on DoorDash, such as restaurants and grocery stores, affected by a state- or federally-declared natural disaster. It was designed to help small businesses overcome setbacks brought on by a disaster.
Application process and grant details: tips and practices
The fund opens only after a qualifying disaster, usually for four to six weeks. U.S. businesses apply through Hello Alice.
The Amber Grant
Named in honor of Amber Wigdahl, who passed away at the age of 19, the Amber Grant was created by WomensNet in 1998. It is designed to help female entrepreneurs to fund their small businesses. It awards three $15,000 grants every month, plus three $75,000 year-end grants. Visit their website for more information on this grant (note that this grant does have an application fee of $15.)
Application process and grant details: tips and practices
The deadline for applying for the Amber Grant is the last day of each month. To qualify, business owners have to be a female aged 18 years and older and have a business that is at least 50% woman-owned and operated in either the United States or Canada.
Conclusion
America is made up of individuals striving to achieve the ultimate dream of success. Often, this begins with the successful operation of a small business. Thankfully, there are funding options that don’t require business owners to take on debt in order to get up and running. Small business grants can provide the resources needed to launch, grow, or stabilize operations without added financial strain.
The examples outlined above highlight the many opportunities available to Ohio entrepreneurs. Whether you are just learning how to start your own business or looking to scale an established venture, the right grant can make all the difference. Take time to explore your options, prepare strong applications, and pursue the funding that can help turn your business goals into reality.