No fixed deadline, or a recurring one. These accept applications year-round or on a repeating cycle.
Accelerator
Rolling — apply anytime
ThinkLab, SmartStart, and FastForward
Fort Worth’s technology incubator runs an eight-week program with mentorship and takes no equity. TechFW also runs a Dallas ThinkLab cohort, and a single general application covers all of its programs.
Accelerator
Rolling
Capital Factory
Texas’ largest accelerator and startup investor, with a Dallas hub at Pegasus Park.
Resource
Ongoing
Grant and Loan Advising
Free one-on-one advising to help small businesses identify and apply for grants and loans they qualify for.
Grant
By federal solicitation cycle
SBIR/STTR Application Support
TechFW helps North Texas founders pursue federal Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer grants, which are non-dilutive.
Grant
Varies by program
Small Business Grants and Incentives
Multiple incentive programs covering up to roughly 25% of project costs. Openings vary; contact the office for what is currently available.
Grant
By application when relocating or expanding
Texas Enterprise Fund
A cash grant awarded per qualified job, aimed at larger job-creating relocations and expansions, typically 25 to 75 or more positions.
Resource
Reference — all three grant windows, updated annually
CWE Grant Dates Calendar
The Denton-based Center runs three grant cycles a year for Texas businesses — the Veteran Entrepreneur Grant in late January, the Texas Rural Grant in early May, and the StartUP Grant in September — and posts every open, close, and training date on a single page. Worth bookmarking if you have missed a window: next year’s dates appear here first.
Grant
Rolling — apply after you win a qualifying award
BIRD Matching Funds Program
The Business Innovation and Research & Development program matches outside non-dilutive funding that an Arlington company has already won — federal SBIR Phase I and II, STTR, and Fast Track awards among them. Grants top out at $100,000 and cover commercialization and research expenses such as technical research, product testing, and business development. They cannot be used for debt repayment, reimbursing owner investment, or relocation. Note the sequence: you need a qualifying award in hand before the match applies.
Grant
Rolling
EmpowHer Grants
Up to $25,000 in reimbursable business support plus a network of financial, marketing, leadership, and sector advisors. The business must make a social impact through its product or model, be earning revenue, and be no more than three years old.
Contest
Weekly — apply anytime
Present Your Startup Story at 1 Million Cups
Present your business to the local entrepreneurial community over coffee and learn how the room can support your growth. North Texas has groups in Dallas, Fort Worth, Irving, Frisco, Northeast Tarrant County, and Wichita Falls.
Grant
Pitches accepted year-round
America’s Seed Fund
The NSF distributes roughly $200 million a year to small businesses with strong ideas. Project pitches can be submitted at any time; those invited to a full proposal can reach as much as $2 million in seed funding.
Resource
Applications reviewed monthly, submit between the 1st and 15th
HB Communities for Change
Pro bono legal representation for qualifying underrepresented businesses and nonprofits in under-resourced communities. The team assists with business formation, contracts, employment advice, intellectual property, and minority business certifications.
Resource
Rolling — vacancies vary
Boards and Commissions Vacancies
The city seeks residents for boards and commissions including Aviation Advisory, Board of Adjustment, Building Standards, Historical and Cultural Landmarks, Pedestrian and Bicycle Advisory, Urban Design, and Zoning. You must live in the district with the vacancy.
Resource
Rolling — 3-month, 6-month, and 1-year tracks
Mentorship Program
Experienced business leaders volunteer to advise entrepreneurs on avoiding common hurdles and accelerating growth. The DEC matches mentors and mentees by industry. There is a separate application for founders looking for a mentor.
Contest
Quarterly
Call for Code Global Challenge
A quarterly competition for teams building solutions to global sustainability problems using IBM AI technologies. Quarterly awards reach $10,000, with year-end grand prizes of $50,000. Focus areas include carbon emissions, clean energy, supply chain transparency, water, waste, biodiversity, and food insecurity.
Grant
Rolling
Corporate Grant Program
Grants for nonprofit startups focused on environmental protection, reflecting Patagonia’s commitment to organizations making a positive environmental impact.
Grant
Rolling
Historic Tax Credit Program
A federal tax credit of up to 20% of qualifying rehabilitation expenses. The building must be certified as historic by the National Park Service and a substantial amount must be spent on the rehabilitation. State Historic Preservation Offices are the first point of contact.
Grant
Annual solicitations
SBIR Program
More than $10 million a year in contracts to U.S. small businesses researching and developing innovative solutions to transportation challenges.
Grant
Monthly deadlines
Amber Grants for Women
Several $10,000 grants each month, including a general women-owned business grant, a startup grant, and category-specific grants. Monthly winners become eligible for the year-end $25,000 Amber Grants. One application covers every grant you qualify for.
Resource
Cohorts in fall and spring · Free
Tech Fundamentals Training
A free 16-week virtual program launching IT careers, with paid internships or project-based learning, industry certifications, mentoring from senior IT professionals, employment readiness workshops, and job placement assistance.
Grant
Rolling
START Program
Seed funding of up to $1 million for a percentage of ownership, open to founders with an idea through to those scaling a product. Includes support, access to debt financiers, and a community of go-to-market operators.
Grant
Rolling
Ecosystem Support Program
Grants and support for open-source projects strengthening Ethereum’s foundations, with a focus on builder tools, infrastructure, research, and public goods.
Grant
Rolling
UNICEF Innovation Fund
Equity-free grants for early-stage, open-source emerging technology solutions, favoring scalable digital public goods and solutions delivering results for children.
Grant
Monthly — fourth Monday most months
Cowtown Angels
A Fort Worth angel network connecting entrepreneurs seeking early-stage funding with local investors. A program of TechFW, the nonprofit helping regional entrepreneurs commercialize innovative technology.
Grant
Rolling
Growth Grant
Business development grants of up to $4,000 for members taking the next step, covering hiring and training, marketing, or new equipment and software.
Grant
Rolling
Skills Development Fund
Grants for customized workforce training, applied for in partnership with a public community or technical college, the Texas Engineering Extension Service, or a qualifying nonprofit. Employers must help design the training and pay trained workers at or above the local prevailing wage.
Accelerator
Rolling
The Accelerator Powered by Nestlé R&D
Six months to take a product from idea to shop shelf, with help on design, packaging, innovation, regulatory and legal issues, plus a prototype kitchen with resident chefs and a budget for operational expenses. Three U.S. locations, including Nestlé’s Arlington, Virginia headquarters.
Grant
Rolling — funding in as little as 48 hours
EnrichHER Funding
Affordable, non-dilutive capital for revenue-generating women-led businesses. Applications take under five minutes and funding can arrive in as little as 48 hours.
Grant
Rolling
Flash Funds
Loans up to $25,000 with low interest rates and fees, built around a streamlined application and quick turnaround.
Grant
By formal Request for Applications
CPRIT Funding
CPRIT has funded more than $3 billion in cancer-fighting research, therapeutics, devices, and tools since 2010, and invests in startups and early-stage companies. All opportunities are announced through formal Requests for Applications.
Resource
Rolling
Inventor Mentorship
Get matched with a mentor in your field for advice on patents and filing, research, strategy, and commercialization.
Grant
Rolling
State Farm Ventures
State Farm Ventures invites pitches through its public site, which lists current investments and priority areas including senior living, home safety, and drones.
Grant
Rolling
Mockingbird Ventures and UT Dallas Seed Fund
The UT Dallas Seed Fund works with Mockingbird Ventures to identify its next seed-stage investment, made on a standard SAFE agreement.
Contest
Rolling — chapter rounds feed the grand final
Pitch.Tech
An idea-stage competition where entrepreneurs first compete at their local chapter to qualify for the grand final. The winner takes $10,000 equity-free plus more than $100,000 in startup benefits through Startup Grind membership.
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