Starting and growing a small business in Louisiana can be challenging, especially when it comes to securing funding. Unlike loans, small business grants do not need to be repaid, making them an attractive option for many entrepreneurs. With the right small business grant, you can get the financial boost your company needs to move to the next level. Tailor Brands has put together this guide on the top small business grants that will be available to Louisiana-based businesses in 2025. We’ll cover state, federal, corporate, and nonprofit grants so you can find the funding opportunity that best fits your business goals and industry.
Small business grants will continue to be a critical source of startup capital and growth funding for Louisiana entrepreneurs in 2025. According to recent surveys, access to capital remains one of the biggest challenges facing the state’s small business owners. Grants can help provide the influx of funds needed to turn business ideas into reality without accumulating debt. With many grant programs specifically targeted at supporting Louisiana businesses, you have an excellent chance of securing grant funding if you put in the work to find and properly apply to the right opportunities. Let’s take a look at what small business grants are and the most promising options for your Louisiana business in 2025.
Small business grants are funds provided by government agencies, nonprofit organizations, corporations and other institutions to help start or grow a small business. Grants do not need to be repaid like a loan as long as the funds are used for approved purposes.
Grants are awarded based on specific criteria set by the grantmaker and often target certain locations, industries, business types, or business stages. For example, some grants may only be open to women-owned businesses in Louisiana while others provide funding for restaurants to add outdoor patio space.
Compared to other financing options like loans or equity investments, grants have some unique advantages:
With these benefits, it’s easy to see why small business grants are worth pursuing. The key is finding the right grant programs for your specific business needs. The grants available from Louisiana state programs, federal agencies, corporations and nonprofit organizations can provide startup funds or support your expansion plans.
Louisiana offers several grant programs geared towards supporting local startups and growing small businesses across different industries. State grant programs will continue providing crucial funding opportunities in 2025.
Here are some of the top Louisiana state grants you’ll want to keep on your radar.
The Louisiana Economic Development (LED) Small and Emerging Business Development (SEBD) program provides financial assistance to Louisiana-based businesses to facilitate growth and job creation. This grant prioritizes woman-owned, minority-owned, and veteran-owned businesses.
In 2025, SEBD grants will continue to be awarded based on the following criteria:
Eligible uses for SEBD grants include purchasing equipment, working capital, training costs, building improvements and more. Grant amounts range from $10,000 to $200,000 based on criteria such as job creation impact.
The SEBD application involves submitting a business plan, financial statements, owner qualifications, and details on how the grant will grow your business. Tips for a successful application:
Louisiana’s Entrepreneurial Assistance Program provides technical assistance and educational resources to qualified small businesses across the state. Key focus areas are increasing profitability and achieving growth.
In 2025, the core services and grants provided through this program will likely include:
To qualify for assistance, Louisiana businesses must meet requirements such as being registered to conduct business in the state, operating for at least two years, and earning a minimum level of gross revenue.
Tips for getting value from this program:
LouisianaSeedCapital.com provides information on venture capital programs that co-invest equity funding alongside qualified investors into early-stage Louisiana companies with high-growth potential.
The Louisiana Seed Capital Program (LSCP) and Louisiana Seed Capital Fund (LSCF) focus on technology and biotech companies requiring between $200,000 and $1 million in capital. These programs will continue providing funding opportunities in 2025.
Benefits of securing venture capital funding through these programs include:
Tips for getting venture capital funding:
Research Louisiana’s state grant programs thoroughly to find ones that align with your business goals. Carefully review eligibility criteria before applying and make sure to follow all instructions closely.
The federal government offers a diverse range of grants to support small businesses across the country. These programs will continue providing crucial funding to Louisiana-based businesses in 2025.
Here are some top federal small business grant programs to target.
The SBIR and STTR programs provide research and development funding through competitive grants to small businesses working with academic institutions. These grants foster technological innovation by supporting R&D with commercial potential.
In 2025, Louisiana businesses will continue tapping into these grants that generally provide up to $250,000 for early stage exploration and up to $1 million for later stage development. The money does not need to be repaid as long as you meet the grant’s research objectives.
Tips for SBIR/STTR grants:
The SBA’s Growth Accelerator Fund Competition provides funding to accelerate development of innovative startup clusters around the country. Two types of grants are awarded:
For 2025, Louisiana accelerators and entrepreneurial support organizations should keep this opportunity on their radar. To compete effectively:
Tips for competing for SBA Growth Accelerator Funds:
The SBA’s Emerging Leaders Initiative provides free entrepreneurship education, training, and mentorship opportunities for executives of small businesses poised for growth. Participants develop business expansion plans and access capital.
This Initiative will continue providing an invaluable boost to eligible Louisiana businesses in 2025. Ideal participants are businesses that:
Tips for getting into Emerging Leaders:
Research all SBA grants in depth to find the best fit based on your business stage, leadership experience, geographic location, industry, and more.
Beyond government grants, a wide range of grants for small businesses are offered by corporations, private foundations and industry organizations. Companies will continue providing these programs in 2025 as part of their community support and philanthropic initiatives.
Some corporate grants open to Louisiana businesses include:
Visa’s Everywhere Initiative offers $100k grants to small businesses and startups incorporating digital payment technology in innovative ways. For 2025, Louisiana fintech entrepreneurs can watch for the latest iteration of this grant.
FedEx offers grants up to $50,000 for small businesses focused on solutions in sustainability, innovation, or diversity. Louisiana businesses will want to keep this on their radar for 2025.
Securing small business grants in 2025 can be a game changer for Louisiana entrepreneurs. Take time to thoroughly research the state, federal, corporate, and nonprofit grants covered in this guide to find ones suited to your business goals and sector.
Pay close attention to eligibility requirements, allow plenty of time for application preparation, and follow all instructions precisely. Consider enlisting expert help from a grant writer or advisor to strengthen your chances. With persistence and savvy grantseeking, you can gain access to the invaluable funding boost your Louisiana small business needs to succeed in 2025 and beyond.
This portion of our website is for informational or educational purposes only. Tailor Brands is not a law firm, and the information on this website does not constitute legal advice. All statements, opinions, recommendations, and conclusions are solely the expression of the author and provided on an as-is basis. Accordingly, Tailor Brands is not responsible for the information and/or its accuracy or completeness. It also does not indicate any affiliation between Tailor Brands and any other brands, services or logos on this page.
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