North Carolina opens $2 million in grants for tech small businesses

North Carolina opens $2 million in grants for tech small businesses

8 October 2026: North Carolina is taking applications for the One North Carolina Small Business Program, which helps technology-based companies in the state win and extend federal research awards. For the 2026-27 fiscal year the state has set aside $210,000 for incentive grants and $1,920,000 for matching grants.

The incentive grant reimburses eligible expenses a company incurs while preparing a Phase I application to the federal Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) or Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programmes. The matching grant goes to companies that have already won a Phase I award, and lets them add to that research so they are better placed for Phase II. For the second year running, matching recipients in areas hit hard by Hurricane Helene can claim an additional $25,000.

State Commerce Secretary Lee Lilley said the program has generated a 250X return on investment for taxpayers by drawing in federal and private money. NC Commerce describes SBIR and STTR as America's Seed Fund: 11 federal agencies take part and about $4 billion is available each year, which it calls the largest single source of early-stage technology funding for small businesses in the country.

Applications are accepted until 30 June 2027, or until the funds run out, whichever comes first. Both pots are fixed sums, so late applicants may find nothing left. Eligibility rules and the online application portal sit on the program page, and questions go to Chris Schmidt at NC Commerce.

The program began in 2006. NC Commerce says it has assisted more than 500 companies, which in turn account for 2,000 jobs and over $8.6 billion in follow-on funding. Those figures are the department's own and the release does not break them down by year or by company.

The release does not say which sectors count as technology-based. Our startup funding programme category lists 71 schemes and programmes for founders in other places.

Sources

• NC Commerce: North Carolina Makes $2 Million of Funding Available to Support Innovative Small Businesses, 8 October 2026