Main Street Ventures’ Funding Programs to support Local Entrepreneurs (US)

Deadline: 16 February 2025

The Main Street Ventures is now requesting grant applications to support local entrepreneurs in the idea/prototype and revenue stages with equity-free business start-up funding, rather than traditional investments.

Models

This no-strings attached funding model supports:
- Bold Ideas
  - Grants allow founders to take bold ideas to the next level without investor limits.
- Inclusion Growth
  - Supporting good ideas across all spaces encourages innovation in their community.
  - Accessible, debt-free funding creates opportunities for other financial support.

Categories

Launch Funding
- Launch Funding provides emerging, pre-revenue businesses that have a Prototype or Product (showing clear evidence of direct customer engagement validating the business model and product) with $5,000 – $10,000 of equity free funding to continue development and prepare for market entry.
Leap Funding
- Leap Funding provides promising, revenue-generating businesses with $10,000 – $30,000 of equity-free funding to scale their community impact and increase the odds of long-term survival. Funding is awarded to businesses that demonstrate the potential to continue to create jobs and opportunities in the Greater Cincinnati Region.
Learn Sponsorship
- Learn Funding provides support for organizations and events that strengthen and connect the region’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. These can include entrepreneur support organizations and other groups that foster resource collaboration and the development of STEM talent.

Eligibility Criteria

Business Type
- Applicants MUST be a registered business entity (C-Corp, S-Corp, or LLC) with a Federal Tax ID (EIN).
Industry Focus Areas
- Grants are available for businesses in the following sectors:
  - Retail & Hospitality: Restaurants, storefronts, and consumer-facing businesses.
    - Example: Wyoming Community Coffee
  - Manufacturing & Packaged Goods: Product-based businesses, consumer goods, and local manufacturing.
    - Example: The Body Bakery & Co.
  - Tech-Enabled Businesses: Technology companies, digital solutions, or traditional businesses enhanced by technology.
    - Example: Airtrek Robotics
Business Location
- Applicants MUST be located in one of the following counties to be considered. Applications from outside these areas will NOT be accepted.
  - Ohio: Hamilton, Butler, Clermont, and Warren counties
  - Kentucky: Boone, Campbell, and Kenton counties
  - Indiana: Dearborn county

Application Requirements

To ensure your application is competitive, please follow these guidelines:
- Project Definition
  - Your proposed growth project should be well-defined and clearly articulated.
  - The project’s budget and timeline must be practical and achievable.
  - Demonstrate that your business has the capacity and resources to successfully execute the project.
- Customer Demand
  - Show evidence of customer demand and consistent business progression since your founding.
- Funding Focus
  - Funding requests MUST be centered on specific growth projects.
    - Definition of a Growth Project: A step that accelerates your business growth and scalability.
    - Examples of Suitable Funding Requests: Key pieces of equipment, product supply, product development, etc.
    - Examples of Unsuitable Funding Requests: General operating expenses, including payroll, rent, insurance, marketing, or legal fees.
- Impact Explanation
  - Applicants MUST explain how the grant funds will:
    - Drive measurable business growth.
    - Positively impact the local community.
- Special Considerations
  - Additional priority will be given to:
    - Women-Owned and Minority-Owned Businesses.
    - Businesses that show matching funds from other sources.