How to read this table
Every row is a program we confirmed on the organization's own official page. If a program's current status could not be confirmed, it is not listed.
Dollar range shows the headline amount each organization publishes. Sorting by this column orders entries by the largest dollar figure stated; entries that publish no amount (guides, directories, some lenders) sort last. Amounts in other currencies are shown as published and are not converted.
Status tells you where a program stands as of the last verification date. Programs repeat their cycles, so a closed program is still worth knowing about: the note shows the last or next window.
Open
Accepting applications or open now per the official page
Accepting applications or open now per the official page
Ongoing
Evergreen offer with no application cycle
Evergreen offer with no application cycle
Between cycles
Between application windows
Between application windows
Closed
Closed for now; note shows the last or next window
Closed for now; note shows the last or next window
The main types of startup funding
Equity: you sell ownership
Accelerators, seed funds and angel syndicates give you cash in exchange for a share of the company, often through a SAFE (a simple agreement for future equity) or a convertible note. Equity makes sense when you need to grow faster than your revenue allows and want investors who can open doors. The cost is dilution: every round leaves founders with a smaller slice. The free guides in the table explain how SAFEs and term sheets work.
Non-dilutive: you keep ownership
Grants, prize competitions and many government programs do not take equity. SBIR/STTR programs at NIH and NASA are the best-known US examples for technical founders, and states such as Connecticut, Maryland and Massachusetts run their own programs. They are competitive and slower than a check from an angel, but the money is yours to keep. Some state funds are repayable rather than free, so read the terms in each entry.
Debt and revenue-based financing
If you already have recurring revenue, lenders such as Lighter Capital, Novel Capital and Wayflyer advance cash against future sales and take a fixed fee or share of revenue instead of equity. Venture debt suits companies that already have institutional investors. Both need predictable income, so they are a poor fit before you have customers.
Crowdfunding
Reward platforms like Kickstarter sell products ahead of time. Equity platforms like Republic, StartEngine and Wefunder let many small investors buy a stake, under US rules that cap how much you can raise each year. Crowdfunding works best when you already have an audience that wants to back you.
Credits, perks and free guides
Cloud credits from Google, AWS and Microsoft, plus programs like NVIDIA Inception and Stripe Atlas, lower your costs without touching ownership. The free guides at the bottom of the table explain SAFEs, term sheets and SBIR applications in plain language so you can read an offer before you sign it.
All 55 resources
Showing 55 of 55 resources
| Name ↕ | Category ↕ | What it offers | Dollar range ↕ | Status ↕ | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Y Combinator | Accelerators | $500,000 total: $125,000 for 7% (post-money SAFE) plus $375,000 on an uncapped MFN SAFE. | $500,000 | Open Winter 2027 batch: apply by November 2, 2026 (8pm PT) for a decision by December 11. | Official ↗ |
| Techstars | Accelerators | $220,000: $20,000 for 5% common equity plus $200,000 on an uncapped MFN SAFE. Asia-Pacific programs offer $120,000. | $220,000 | Open Applications are open for Spring 2027 programs. | Official ↗ |
| 500 Global Flagship (500 Fellowship) | Accelerators | Up to $50K right away, with potential for up to $1M more as the company progresses. | Up to $50K, then up to $1M more | Open Page gives conflicting Batch 37 deadlines (October 2 and October 16, 2026); program starts November 30, 2026. | Official ↗ |
| 500 Global Sanabil (MENA) | Accelerators | 12-week program in Riyadh for tech startups with early traction. Phase 1 carries a $35,000 program fee per startup (excluding travel); selected startups may also get a $100,000+ equity investment from 500 Global, subject to terms. | $100,000+ investment; $35,000 fee | Closed Batch 3 final deadline was August 9, 2026; the program runs September 27 to December 9, 2026 in Riyadh. | Official ↗ |
| AWS Build Accelerator | Accelerators | $2,000 in AWS Activate credits (credits, not cash). | $2,000 in credits | Closed Applications are closed; the page says the program is shifting to on-demand learning for AWS Activate members. | Official ↗ |
| Google Cloud for Startups | Cloud credits and perks | Up to $350,000 in credits for Seed to Series A AI startups, $200,000 for other eligible early-stage startups; separate tier for pre-funded startups. | Up to $350,000 in credits | Ongoing | Official ↗ |
| AWS Activate | Cloud credits and perks | Up to $5,000 in credits for self-funded founders; up to $200,000 for eligible investor-backed startups. | Up to $200,000 in credits | Ongoing | Official ↗ |
| Forum Ventures Pre-Seed Fund | Seed funds | Invests $250K to $750K in early-stage B2B tech companies (the page headline says up to $1M). Typically for founders who have raised $500K or more, or have $250K+ in ARR. | $250K–$750K | Open Pitch form on the page; no deadline listed. | Official ↗ |
| Seed Round Capital (Houston) | Seed funds | $50K–$250K for US deep-tech startups: post-money valuation of $12M or less, under $750K prior outside investment, US C-corp required. | $50K–$250K | Open Application form is open; no deadline listed. | Official ↗ |
| OpenVC | Investor directories | Searchable database of 18,400+ investors with filters for geography, check size, stage and industry; founders can submit a deck directly. | Not stated | Ongoing | Official ↗ |
| AngelList | Investor directories | Syndicates, SPVs and funds for raising from pooled angel capital. | Not stated | Ongoing | Official ↗ |
| Gust | Investor directories | Directory of accelerator programs accepting applications, with location, dates and, where listed, check size and equity. | Not stated | Ongoing | Official ↗ |
| Republic | Crowdfunding | Community fundraising. Fee on a successful raise: 7% of the amount raised plus 2% of securities offered. | Fee: 7% + 2% of securities | Ongoing | Official ↗ |
| StartEngine | Crowdfunding | Reg CF raises up to $5M a year (launch in 4–6 weeks) and Reg A+ raises up to $75M. | Up to $5M (Reg CF) / $75M (Reg A+) | Ongoing | Official ↗ |
| Kickstarter | Crowdfunding | Reward-based, no equity. On a funded project: 5% fee plus 3%–5% payment processing; no fees if it doesn't fund. | Fee: 5% + 3–5% processing | Ongoing | Official ↗ |
| Wefunder | Crowdfunding | Equity crowdfunding with a community of over one million investors. Fee schedule not confirmed; check the site. | Not stated | Ongoing | Official ↗ |
| NSF Seed Fund | Grants and government | Up to $2 million in seed funding for early-stage R&D, zero equity; start with a project pitch. | Up to $2M | Open Project pitches are accepted anytime and answered in about one to two months; full proposals follow set deadlines. | Official ↗ |
| New York Pre-Seed and Seed Matching Fund | State and regional funds | $50,000–$250,000, with at least $1 of private investment for every $1 NY Ventures invests. | $50K–$250K | Ongoing Competitive application; the page lists no deadline. | Official ↗ |
| EIC Accelerator (EU) | Grants and government | Grant below €2.5M for innovation activities (TRL 6-8, within 24 months), plus an investment component of €1–€10M (blended finance or investment only). Applicants must be from EU or Horizon Europe associated countries; UK applicants can apply for grant only. | Grant under €2.5M + €1M–€10M investment | Open Short proposals can be submitted at any time (batched first Tuesday of each month). Next 2026 full-proposal batching date: November 4, 2026. | Official ↗ |
| Grants.gov | Grants and government | The central search and application site for US federal grants. Amounts vary by solicitation. | Varies by solicitation | Ongoing | Official ↗ |
| Clearco | Revenue-based financing and venture debt | Non-dilutive funding up to $10M for ecommerce brands; requires 6+ months of revenue above $100,000 a month and a US entity. | Up to $10M | Ongoing | Official ↗ |
| Lighter Capital | Revenue-based financing and venture debt | Up to $10M non-dilutive for SaaS and tech; requires at least $200K ARR; no pitch deck, personal guarantee or equity. | Up to $10M | Ongoing | Official ↗ |
| Capchase | Revenue-based financing and venture debt | Financing against future recurring revenue; offers in as little as 48 hours. | Not stated | Ongoing | Official ↗ |
| Trinity Capital | Revenue-based financing and venture debt | Up to $100M of senior or subordinated venture debt for growth-stage, venture-backed companies. | Up to $100M | Ongoing | Official ↗ |
| The Pitch by Deel | Pitch competitions | Up to 100 regional winners get $50,000 in investment; up to 10 global champions get $1M. | $50K regional; $1M global | Closed The 2026 season has ended; the page has a waitlist for 2027. | Official ↗ |
| Startup World Cup | Pitch competitions | 100+ regional competitions; grand-final investment prize of $1 million. | $1M grand final | Between cycles Last regional events listed ran through May 2026; no newer dates or apply details on the official page. Check back for the next season. | Official ↗ |
| Patriot Pitch (SBA) | Pitch competitions | $1 million prize pool, announced for 2026; check the SBA page for the current cycle. | $1M prize pool | Open Announced for 2026; check the SBA page for the current cycle. | Official ↗ |
| PitchMI (Michigan) | Pitch competitions | Four semifinal winners at $375,000–$425,000 each, then a $1 million championship prize. Michigan startups only. | $375K–$425K; $1M final | Closed 2026–27 applications closed August 10, 2026; the championship is in April 2027. | Official ↗ |
| YC Standard Deal | Free guides | How post-money SAFEs, MFN SAFEs and pro-rata rights work. | Free | Ongoing | Official ↗ |
| 500 Global: Understanding Your Term Sheet | Free guides | Convertible debt, SAFEs, KISSes, caps and discounts. | Free | Ongoing | Official ↗ |
| SBIR: How to Apply | Free guides | Phase I/II process and requirements. | Free | Ongoing | Official ↗ |
| Ben Franklin Technology Partners, Central & Northern PA | State and regional funds | Tech startups may receive up to $500,000 through a series of investments (up to $250,000 for existing manufacturers). Repayable, not a grant; a cash match is required. Pennsylvania businesses in the 32-county footprint. Invests quarterly; 3–6 months from first meeting to check. | Up to $500,000 | Open Invests quarterly. | Official ↗ |
| Connecticut Innovations Future Fund | State and regional funds | $50M fund for venture-backable, tech-enabled startups that champion diversity. Leads or co-leads pre-seed and seed rounds with average initial checks of $250,000–$1.5M. | $250K–$1.5M initial checks | Ongoing No application window listed; contact the team. Co-investment is required. | Official ↗ |
| Connecticut Innovations ClimateTech Fund | State and regional funds | $100M fund; initial investment almost always $150,000–$2M per round (rounds capped at $20M) via priced equity, convertible notes, SAFEs or blended debt. Not a grant. Rolling applications, no deadline; CI prefers to be no more than one-third of a round. | $150K–$2M per round | Open Rolling applications, no deadline. | Official ↗ |
| Mississippi Seed Fund (Innovate Mississippi) | State and regional funds | Proof of Concept Grant of $10,000 (no repayment) and Proof of Concept Loan of $25,000 (up to five years), both on a reimbursement basis with a 25% minimum cash match. Mississippi-domiciled small businesses (500 employees or fewer). The Growth Fund ($100,000) and R&D Fund ($250,000) are out of money pending legislative funding. | $10K grant; $25K loan | Closed Growth and R&D funds are out of money; the page lists no open application cycle. | Official ↗ |
| Arkansas Venture Capital Development Fund | State and regional funds | Matching equity investment of $50,000–$1M per company, up to 20% of an offering, on the same terms as private investors. Private investors must commit at least 50% of the raise first. Arkansas headquarters or significant Arkansas presence. | $50K–$1M | Ongoing Multi-step application with no deadline listed. | Official ↗ |
| TEDCO Maryland Innovation Initiative | State and regional funds | Funds up to $430,000 per sole applicant across two phases: Technology Assessment (up to $130,000, or $180,000 joint) and Company Formation (up to $300,000). For technology from Johns Hopkins, Morgan State, UMB, UMBC or UMD. Quarterly deadlines on the 15th of Jan, Apr, Jul and Oct (next: October 15). | Up to $430,000 | Open Next deadline October 15. | Official ↗ |
| Indiana IEDC SBIR/STTR Match | State and regional funds | Indiana matches $0.50 per federal dollar: up to $50,000 per Phase I award and $75,000 per Phase II award, with a $150,000 lifetime cap per company. Indiana-headquartered federal SBIR/STTR award winners. | Up to $75K per award; $150K cap | Ongoing Match is paid on federal SBIR/STTR awards; no deadline listed. | Official ↗ |
| Colorado Advanced Industries Early-Stage Capital and Retention Grant | State and regional funds | Grant of up to $250,000 per project (up to $500,000 for projects spanning multiple advanced industries); requires a 2-to-1 cash match from non-state sources. Colorado headquarters or 50%+ of employees in Colorado. | Up to $250K ($500K multi-industry) | Between cycles Two windows a year; the page is inconsistent on months. Next expected January 2027. | Official ↗ |
| MassVentures START Grants (Massachusetts) | State and regional funds | Non-dilutive path for Massachusetts SBIR Phase II companies: 16 Round 1 grants of $100,000, 7 Round 2 grants of $200,000, and up to $500,000 of seed capital in a commercial spinout for 3 Round 3 companies. | $100K / $200K / up to $500K | Closed Reopens February 1, 2027. | Official ↗ |
| Texas Tech Accelerator (Lubbock) | Accelerators | One-year program with up to $40,000 in seed funding, subject to a 2% success fee on a triggering financial event, plus mentors, workshops and Innovation Hub access. For prototype, MVP or early-revenue startups with founders 18+; open to the TTU system and the West Texas community. The 2027–28 cohort applications run fall 2026 (no exact deadline on the page). | Up to $40,000 | Open 2027–28 cohort applications run fall 2026; no exact deadline on the page. | Official ↗ |
| Alchemist Accelerator (Flagship) | Accelerators | Six-month program for enterprise-focused startups (AI-SaaS and deep tech). Optional small cash investment, averaging $30,000 net of tuition offset; asks for a single-digit equity grant, most commonly 5%. Perks worth $450,000+. Rolling applications; the page lists a class starting January 22, 2026 and points to the home page for current deadlines. | About $30K average cash | Open Rolling applications; check the home page for current deadlines. | Official ↗ |
| Antler UK | Accelerators | £210,000 at inception: £125,000 for 8.5% equity plus an £85,000 convertible note, plus a £40,000 program fee. Eight-week London residency for solo founders or early teams. | £210,000 | Between cycles The current residency started September 22, 2026 (the page also says September 23); the next intake date is not posted. | Official ↗ |
| Entrepreneurs First (U.S.) | Accelerators | Up to $250,000 on day one for founders who commit to the San Francisco residency: $125,000 via a post-money SAFE for 8% of the company plus $125,000 via an uncapped MFN SAFE. Separate Fellowship Residency: equity-free $10,000 grant and housing for three months. | Up to $250,000 | Open The page invites applications now. | Official ↗ |
| gener8tor Investment Accelerator | Accelerators | 12-week program that puts $100,000 into five high-growth startups per cohort. Terms vary by program: the UWGB accelerator takes 7.5% equity via a SAFE, while the Great Lakes Innovation Accelerator gives $100,000 non-dilutive. | $100,000 | Open Deadlines vary by program: Curql Accelerate closes October 25, 2026; Prosper HealthTech closes November 8, 2026. | Official ↗ |
| Microsoft for Startups | Cloud credits and perks | Apply at startups.microsoft.com; approved startups get Azure startup credits and go-to-market support, reviewed in about three business days. The page does not state a dollar amount. | Not stated | Ongoing | Official ↗ |
| NVIDIA Inception | Cloud credits and perks | Free program for AI startups: no application fee, membership fee or equity. Requires one developer, a working website, incorporation and under 10 years old. No deadlines or cohorts. Members can request partner cloud credits; the page states no dollar amount. | Free; no dollar amount stated | Ongoing No deadlines or cohorts. | Official ↗ |
| Stripe Atlas | Cloud credits and perks | Incorporates a Delaware C corp or LLC, with Cooley-developed legal documents, EIN and 83(b) filing. Includes $50,000 in partner perks and $2,500 in Stripe credits. Formation fee not stated on the docs page. | $50K in perks + $2.5K credits | Ongoing | Official ↗ |
| Wayflyer | Revenue-based financing and venture debt | $10,000 to $20 million for ecommerce, software and services businesses. One fixed fee agreed upfront; no equity, personal guarantees, or origination, prepayment or late fees. Requires 6 months of trading and $10,000+ monthly sales in a supported country (US, Canada, UK, Ireland, Spain, Germany, Belgium, Netherlands, Sweden, Denmark, Australia). | $10K–$20M | Ongoing | Official ↗ |
| Novel Capital | Revenue-based financing and venture debt | $100,000–$5M in non-dilutive capital for B2B SaaS and tech with predictable revenue: 10–40% of revenue, terms of 3–36 months, no warrants or personal guarantees, funded in 30 days or less. | $100K–$5M | Ongoing | Official ↗ |
| Kickfurther | Revenue-based financing and venture debt | Inventory financing: up to 100% of inventory cost, up to $5M. Requires a physical product and $200,000+ trailing-12-month revenue. Costs depend on credentials, amount and duration. | Up to $5M | Ongoing | Official ↗ |
| SVB Venture Debt | Revenue-based financing and venture debt | For investor-backed startups: commonly 20–40% of your last equity round, or 6–8% of post-money valuation. Lenders generally want $4M+ raised in one round, reputable VC backing and 12+ months of runway. Rates not stated on the page. | 20–40% of last equity round | Ongoing | Official ↗ |
| NIH SBIR/STTR | Grants and government | Non-dilutive R&D funding for small businesses; applications accepted three times a year (September 5, January 5, April 5). Next due date: January 5, 2027. Dollar amounts not stated on the page. | Not stated | Open Next due date: January 5, 2027. | Official ↗ |
| NASA SBIR/STTR Phase I | Grants and government | Up to $225,000 for six-month feasibility work. | Up to $225,000 | Closed 2026 solicitations closed May 21, 2026. | Official ↗ |
| Cartier Women's Initiative Regional Awards | Grants and government | $100,000, $60,000 and $30,000 grants for first, second and third place in each of nine regions, plus fellowship coaching. Women-led for-profit impact businesses with $50,000–$5M revenue and under $2M in dilutive funding. | $100K / $60K / $30K | Closed The 2027 edition closed June 16, 2026. | Official ↗ |
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How to choose where to apply
- Match your stage. Pre-revenue teams should look at grants, credits and accelerators. Teams with $200,000 or more in annual recurring revenue can add revenue-based financing.
- Match your location and sector. State funds usually require a home-state company. Federal R&D programs want a technical innovation, not a services business.
- Check eligibility before you write anything. Many programs cap prior funding, valuation or company age. The details are in each official page.
- Apply to several. Funding is a numbers game. A mix of one equity route, one non-dilutive route and credits spreads the risk.
How this list was verified
Candidates came from research that was treated as leads only. Every amount, term and eligibility rule was then confirmed on the organization's own page. Any program whose status could not be confirmed was left off the list, and any figure a page did not state is marked as not stated. Entries that failed this check, such as programs that had shut down or run out of money, were dropped. Terms change, so always confirm on the official page before you apply. This page is informational and is not financial or legal advice.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best way to fund a startup?
It depends on stage and goal. Pre-revenue founders usually start with grants, accelerators or cloud credits that cost little or no equity. Companies with recurring revenue can use revenue-based financing to avoid dilution. Equity investors fit when you need to grow faster than revenue allows.
What is non-dilutive funding?
Money you do not repay with ownership of your company. Grants, prize competitions and some revenue-based financing are common examples.
How were these resources verified?
Each entry's amounts, terms and eligibility were read on the organization's own official page. If a page did not state a figure, the entry says so instead of guessing.
Why are some programs marked Closed?
Closed programs reopen on a schedule, so we keep them and show the last or next window.
Do you add new resources?
Yes. This list is updated as new programs are verified and existing ones change.