Main Street Ventures Grant Program

Applications are now being accepted for the Main Street Ventures Grant Program.

Donor Name: Main Street Ventures

State: Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio

County: Boone County (KY), Butler County (OH), Campbell County (KY), Clermont County (OH), Dearborn County (IN), Hamilton County (OH), Kenton County (KY), Warren County (OH)

Type of Grant: Grant

Deadline: 02/16/2025

Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000

Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned

Details:

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.

Type of 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 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.

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
  • Looking for more examples of funded companies? Check out the blog for inspiration.
• 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.

For more information, visit Main Street Ventures.