Applications are now open for the second cohort of Level Up LB: Extreme Small Business Makeover and Grant Program (Level Up LB), a program designed to support entrepreneurs and propel small businesses toward success and sustainability.
Donor Name: City of Long Beach
State: California
City: Long Beach
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 05/20/2025
Size of the Grant: $1000 to $10,000
Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned
Details:
Level Up LB will connect selected entrepreneurs with essential business support resources and comprehensive workshops that focus on crafting new business and marketing plans. Upon completion of a ten-week course, selected businesses will receive $10,000 in grant funding to help grow their small business. Businesses selected to participate will be provided with technical assistance and resources to evaluate their business plan and financials, sales metrics and benchmark and identify strategies to reach the next level of growth.
Eligibility Criteria
- Must be located and operating within the boundaries of Long Beach, California with a physical location (i.e. storefront, office, commercial facility) (no home-based business)
- Must have been in business for a minimum of 3 years as of 3/20/2025
- Must be an independently-owned, for-profit business including sole proprietorships, LLC’s or Corporations that are not publicly traded (franchises and large chains with 10 or more locations are not eligible). 501(c)3 nonprofits may also apply
- Must have a City of Long Beach business license. The business must hold an active or delinquent license. Businesses that have closed or cancelled their licenses are not eligible for the program
- Must be currently open and active for business
- Must earn no more than $5 million in annual gross revenue
- Corporations, limited liability companies and limited partnerships must have an “ACTIVE” status with the California Secretary of State.
Program selection and awards will be determined by a selection committee based on the following criteria:
- Representation of businesses across all parts of the city with priority for businesses located in low-to-moderate
- income areas
- Representation of businesses across multiple sectors
- Business readiness and potential impact of program participation.
Ineligibility
- Businesses without a physical location in Long Beach, CA
- Businesses that are permanently closed
- Government entities or elected official offices
- Businesses primarily engaged in political or lobbying activities
- Passive businesses, investment companies, and investors who file a Schedule E on their personal tax returns
- Churches and other religious organizations
- Financial businesses primarily engaged in the business of lending, such as banks and finance companies
- Landlords and property managers (unless repairing on behalf of a small business)
- Businesses engaged in any activity that is illegal under federal, state, or local law
- Businesses engaged in any socially undesirable activity or activity that may be considered predatory in nature such as check cashing businesses
- Businesses that have active and unresolved code enforcement and COVID-19 Health Order violations
- Cannabis-related businesses.
For more information, visit City of Long Beach.
