Young Entrepreneurs funding

Grants for Young Entrepreneurs 2026

Browse open grant programs for young founders and youth-owned businesses in 2026, sorted by award size, with deadlines and eligibility at a glance.

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Forrest Grants

Funding is hiding in plain sight.

Competitions, seed funds, and mentorship-backed grants aimed at founders under 35.

🐻

Forrest Grant keeps the list clean, relevant, and pointed at programs worth a real application.

Open grants

373

Average award

$308,250

Top eligibility tags

youth_ownedstartuppitch_competitionnonprofit

Featured grants

High-intent funding opportunities

USRolling

SBA 7(a) Loan Program — Youth-Owned Business Financing

Grantor

U.S. Small Business Administration

Award Amount

$5,000,000

youth_ownedsmall_business

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WVRolling

WV Capital Access Program (WVCAP) — Startup Loan for Young Entrepreneurs

Grantor

PartnerCap Small Business Lending / WV Economic Development Authority

Award Amount

$4,000,000

youth_ownedstartup

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USRolling

SBIR/STTR Program — Youth-Led Small Business Innovation Research Grants

Grantor

Multiple Federal Agencies (SBA-coordinated)

Award Amount

$1,800,000

youth_ownedstartup

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Grants in Grants

Where to focus first

Browse open grant programs for young founders and youth-owned businesses in 2026, sorted by award size, with deadlines and eligibility at a glance. Use this page as your shortlist, then jump into the intake wizard so Forrest can narrow the list to the programs you are most likely to win.

USRolling

SBA 7(a) Loan Program — Youth-Owned Business Financing

Grantor

U.S. Small Business Administration

Award Amount

$5,000,000

youth_ownedsmall_business

View Grant

WVRolling

WV Capital Access Program (WVCAP) — Startup Loan for Young Entrepreneurs

Grantor

PartnerCap Small Business Lending / WV Economic Development Authority

Award Amount

$4,000,000

youth_ownedstartup

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USRolling

SBIR/STTR Program — Youth-Led Small Business Innovation Research Grants

Grantor

Multiple Federal Agencies (SBA-coordinated)

Award Amount

$1,800,000

youth_ownedstartup

View Grant

TNRolling

LendTN – Fund Tennessee SSBCI Loan Program (Youth / SEDI Priority)

Grantor

Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development / Fund Tennessee

Award Amount

$1,500,000

youth_ownedsedi_owned

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NYRolling

Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Foundation Grants

Grantor

Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Foundation

Award Amount

$1,000,000

nonprofitfoundation

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PARolling

Hult Prize

Grantor

Hult Prize Foundation

Award Amount

$1,000,000

youth_ownedstudent_founder

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WARolling

Business Impact NW – CDFI Loans for Youth-Owned Businesses

Grantor

Business Impact NW (CDFI)

Award Amount

$750,000

youth ownedWashington state

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WIRolling

WWBIC Micro Loans — Youth-Owned Startups

Grantor

Wisconsin Women's Business Initiative Corporation (WWBIC)

Award Amount

$350,000

youth_ownedstartup

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USRolling

Accion Opportunity Fund — Loans for Youth-Owned Small Businesses

Grantor

Accion Opportunity Fund

Award Amount

$250,000

youth_ownedstartup

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MDRolling

Open Society Foundations Baltimore Commitment

Grantor

Open Society Foundations

Award Amount

$250,000

nonprofitjustice

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MNRolling

DEED Emerging Entrepreneur Loan Program (ELP) — Youth-Owned Startups

Grantor

Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED)

Award Amount

$150,000

youth_ownedstartup

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PARolling

Penn President's Innovation Prize

Grantor

University of Pennsylvania

Award Amount

$150,000

youth_ownedstudent_founder

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RIRolling

Thiel Fellowship

Grantor

Thiel Foundation

Award Amount

$100,000

youth_ownedstartup

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CORolling

Colorado Parks and Wildlife Outdoor Equity Grant Program

Grantor

Colorado Parks and Wildlife

Award Amount

$100,000

coloradoyouth

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OHRolling

City of Columbus Summer Youth Program Grants

Grantor

City of Columbus

Award Amount

$100,000

nonprofityouth

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ILRolling

Northwestern VentureCat

Grantor

Northwestern University

Award Amount

$100,000

studentnorthwestern

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NHRolling

Diamond Challenge

Grantor

Horn Entrepreneurship at the University of Delaware

Award Amount

$100,000

youth_ownednew_hampshire_eligible

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NJRolling

National Endowment for the Arts Grants for Arts Projects

Grantor

National Endowment for the Arts

Award Amount

$100,000

native_american_owneddisability_owned

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WARolling

Fledge – Impact Startup Accelerator (Seattle)

Grantor

Fledge

Award Amount

$100,000

youth ownedstartup

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HIRolling

Diamond Challenge

Grantor

Horn Entrepreneurship at the University of Delaware

Award Amount

$100,000

high_school_studentsyouth

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USRolling

Echoing Green Fellowship — $90K for Young Social Impact Entrepreneurs

Grantor

Echoing Green

Award Amount

$90,000

youth_owned

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ORRolling

Nike Community Impact Fund — Oregon

Grantor

Nike / Oregon Community Foundation

Award Amount

$75,000

nonprofitportland

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NJRolling

USDA Farm Service Agency Microloans

Grantor

USDA Farm Service Agency

Award Amount

$50,000

youth_ownedbusiness

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NVRolling

Global Student Entrepreneur Awards

Grantor

Entrepreneurs' Organization

Award Amount

$50,000

youth_ownedstudent_entrepreneur

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USRolling

SBA Microloan Program — Youth Entrepreneur Startup Funding

Grantor

U.S. Small Business Administration

Award Amount

$50,000

youth_ownedstartup

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TXRolling

PeopleFund – CDFI Microloans for Texas Youth Entrepreneurs

Grantor

PeopleFund

Award Amount

$50,000

youth_ownedtexas_based

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WYRolling

Wyoming Women's Business Center — Youth Entrepreneur Micro-Loans

Grantor

Wyoming Women's Business Center (SBA-funded)

Award Amount

$50,000

youth_ownedstartup

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WYRolling

Wyoming Business Council Kickstart Grant — Youth-Led Startups

Grantor

Wyoming Business Council

Award Amount

$50,000

youth_ownedstartup

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MARolling

Boston Youth Development Fund

Grantor

City of Boston

Award Amount

$50,000

nonprofityouth

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WVRolling

SBA Microloan Program — Youth-Owned Startups in WV

Grantor

U.S. Small Business Administration via WV intermediary lenders

Award Amount

$50,000

youth_ownedstartup

View Grant

TNRolling

Pathway Lending – SBA Microloan Program (Young/Startup Entrepreneurs)

Grantor

Pathway Lending / U.S. Small Business Administration

Award Amount

$50,000

youth_ownedtennessee_based

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OHRolling

Ohio State President's Buckeye Accelerator

Grantor

The Ohio State University Keenan Center for Entrepreneurship

Award Amount

$50,000

youth_ownedstudent_founder

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NVRolling

University of Nevada, Reno Sontag Entrepreneurship Competition

Grantor

University of Nevada, Reno College of Business

Award Amount

$50,000

youth_ownedunr_student

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MNRolling

WomenVenture — Youth Entrepreneur Loans for Young Women

Grantor

WomenVenture (SBA Women's Business Center / CDFI)

Award Amount

$50,000

youth_ownedstartup

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WIRolling

SBA Microloan Program — Youth-Owned Startups in WI

Grantor

U.S. Small Business Administration via WI intermediary lenders

Award Amount

$50,000

youth_ownedstartup

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MSRolling

SBA Microloan Program — Youth-Owned Startups in Mississippi

Grantor

U.S. Small Business Administration via MS intermediary lenders

Award Amount

$50,000

youth_ownedstartup

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WYRolling

IMPACT 307 Startup Challenge Grants

Grantor

University of Wyoming

Award Amount

$50,000

startupentrepreneur

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MORolling

SBA Microloan Program — Youth Startup Funding in Missouri

Grantor

U.S. Small Business Administration

Award Amount

$50,000

youth_ownedstartup

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MNRolling

SBA Microloan Program — Youth-Owned Startups in Minnesota

Grantor

U.S. Small Business Administration via MN intermediary lenders

Award Amount

$50,000

youth_ownedstartup

View Grant

WYRolling

SBA Microloan Program — Youth-Owned Startups in WY

Grantor

U.S. Small Business Administration via WY intermediary lenders

Award Amount

$50,000

youth_ownedstartup

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IDRolling

Idaho Entrepreneur Challenge

Grantor

Boise State University College of Innovation and Design

Award Amount

$30,000

studentidaho

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UTRolling

Snow College GRIT Center – Everyday Entrepreneur Pitch Competition

Grantor

Snow College GRIT Center for Rural Entrepreneurship

Award Amount

$30,000

youth_ownedutah_based

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PRRolling

BDE Joven Visionario Loan Program

Grantor

Economic Development Bank for Puerto Rico

Award Amount

$25,000

young_entrepreneurstartup

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NVRolling

UNLV President's Innovation Challenge

Grantor

University of Nevada, Las Vegas

Award Amount

$25,000

youth_ownedunlv_student

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OKRolling

Love's Entrepreneur's Cup

Grantor

i2E

Award Amount

$25,000

youth_ownedstudent_entrepreneur

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NERolling

University of Nebraska-Lincoln New Venture Competition

Grantor

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Center for Entrepreneurship

Award Amount

$25,000

youth_ownedunl_student

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MTRolling

Montana State University Blackstone LaunchPad Venture Support

Grantor

Montana State University

Award Amount

$25,000

studentstartup

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ORRolling

Invent Oregon (InventOR) — Student Innovation Grants

Grantor

Business Oregon

Award Amount

$25,000

startupinnovation

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OKRolling

University of Tulsa Hurricane Pitch Competition

Grantor

University of Tulsa Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship

Award Amount

$25,000

youth_ownedstudent_entrepreneur

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NERolling

Husker Venture Fund

Grantor

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Center for Entrepreneurship

Award Amount

$25,000

youth_ownedunl_student

View Grant

WARolling

UW Foster Buerk Accelerator Program – Student and Alumni Startups

Grantor

University of Washington Foster School of Business

Award Amount

$25,000

youth ownedstudent founder

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NERolling

Nebraska Governor's New Venture Competition

Grantor

Nebraska Governor's Office

Award Amount

$20,000

youth_ownednebraska_student

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OHRolling

Kent State University Spring Pitch Competition

Grantor

Kent State University Brinzo Center for Entrepreneurship

Award Amount

$20,000

youth_ownedstudent_pitch_competition

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GARolling

University System of Georgia Innovation and Entrepreneurship Competition

Grantor

University System of Georgia

Award Amount

$15,000

studentuniversity_system_of_georgia

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NJRolling

Prudential Emerging Visionaries

Grantor

Prudential Financial and Ashoka

Award Amount

$15,000

young_adultstudent

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VARolling

Partnership for a Healthier Alexandria Partnership Grants

Grantor

Partnership for a Healthier Alexandria

Award Amount

$15,000

nonprofithealth

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PARolling

Invent Penn State Summer Founders Program

Grantor

Invent Penn State

Award Amount

$15,000

youth_ownedstudent_founder

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NHRolling

UNH Holloway Prize Competition

Grantor

University of New Hampshire Peter T. Paul College of Business and Economics

Award Amount

$15,000

youth_ownedunh_student

View Grant

NJRolling

Union County Local Arts Grant Program

Grantor

Union County Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs

Award Amount

$15,000

minority_ownedyouth_owned

View Grant

IDRolling

Avista Micro-Enterprise Loan Fund

Grantor

North Idaho College

Award Amount

$15,000

studentstartup

View Grant

Ready to apply?

Let Forrest narrow the list for you.

Find Grants I Qualify For

Grants for Young Entrepreneurs 2026

Funding is hiding in plain sight.

High-intent funding opportunities

SBA 7(a) Loan Program — Youth-Owned Business Financing

WV Capital Access Program (WVCAP) — Startup Loan for Young Entrepreneurs

SBIR/STTR Program — Youth-Led Small Business Innovation Research Grants

Where to focus first

SBA 7(a) Loan Program — Youth-Owned Business Financing

WV Capital Access Program (WVCAP) — Startup Loan for Young Entrepreneurs

SBIR/STTR Program — Youth-Led Small Business Innovation Research Grants

LendTN – Fund Tennessee SSBCI Loan Program (Youth / SEDI Priority)

Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Foundation Grants

Hult Prize

Business Impact NW – CDFI Loans for Youth-Owned Businesses

WWBIC Micro Loans — Youth-Owned Startups

Accion Opportunity Fund — Loans for Youth-Owned Small Businesses

Open Society Foundations Baltimore Commitment

DEED Emerging Entrepreneur Loan Program (ELP) — Youth-Owned Startups

Penn President's Innovation Prize

Thiel Fellowship

Colorado Parks and Wildlife Outdoor Equity Grant Program

City of Columbus Summer Youth Program Grants

Northwestern VentureCat

Diamond Challenge

National Endowment for the Arts Grants for Arts Projects

Fledge – Impact Startup Accelerator (Seattle)

Diamond Challenge

Echoing Green Fellowship — $90K for Young Social Impact Entrepreneurs

Nike Community Impact Fund — Oregon

USDA Farm Service Agency Microloans

Global Student Entrepreneur Awards

SBA Microloan Program — Youth Entrepreneur Startup Funding

PeopleFund – CDFI Microloans for Texas Youth Entrepreneurs

Wyoming Women's Business Center — Youth Entrepreneur Micro-Loans

Wyoming Business Council Kickstart Grant — Youth-Led Startups

Boston Youth Development Fund

SBA Microloan Program — Youth-Owned Startups in WV

Pathway Lending – SBA Microloan Program (Young/Startup Entrepreneurs)

Ohio State President's Buckeye Accelerator

University of Nevada, Reno Sontag Entrepreneurship Competition

WomenVenture — Youth Entrepreneur Loans for Young Women

SBA Microloan Program — Youth-Owned Startups in WI

SBA Microloan Program — Youth-Owned Startups in Mississippi

IMPACT 307 Startup Challenge Grants

SBA Microloan Program — Youth Startup Funding in Missouri

SBA Microloan Program — Youth-Owned Startups in Minnesota

SBA Microloan Program — Youth-Owned Startups in WY

Idaho Entrepreneur Challenge

Snow College GRIT Center – Everyday Entrepreneur Pitch Competition

BDE Joven Visionario Loan Program

UNLV President's Innovation Challenge

Love's Entrepreneur's Cup

University of Nebraska-Lincoln New Venture Competition

Montana State University Blackstone LaunchPad Venture Support

Invent Oregon (InventOR) — Student Innovation Grants

University of Tulsa Hurricane Pitch Competition

Husker Venture Fund

UW Foster Buerk Accelerator Program – Student and Alumni Startups

Nebraska Governor's New Venture Competition

Kent State University Spring Pitch Competition

University System of Georgia Innovation and Entrepreneurship Competition

Prudential Emerging Visionaries

Partnership for a Healthier Alexandria Partnership Grants

Invent Penn State Summer Founders Program

UNH Holloway Prize Competition

Union County Local Arts Grant Program

Avista Micro-Enterprise Loan Fund

Grants by state

More grants by who you are

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