Vinnova Innovative Startups 2026 opens Oct 12: up to SEK 500,000
Vinnova's Innovative Startups 2026 call opens for applications on 12 October 2026 and closes 12 January 2027 at 14:00, with decisions on 23 March 2027. It provides up to SEK 500,00…
Founders News
Gov & Employment news for founders.
163 updates in Gov & Employment. Each one is a verified fact with a clear angle on how it helps you.
ARENA opens $30M Launchpad grants for early-stage clean energy startups
On 16 September 2026 the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) launched Launchpad, a $30 million program split into two $15M streams. The startup stream offers initial grants…
BDC allocates first $1B of its $6B Defence Platform to fund Canadian startups
On September 15, 2026, the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) announced it will deploy $1 billion under its $6-billion Defence Platform: $500 million into venture, growth-eq…
BNDES and Finep pick Monashees to run new R$500M AI-startup FIP fund
On Sept 14, 2026, BNDES and Finep selected Monashees to manage a new venture fund (FIP) for AI-intensive startups that can mobilize up to R$500 million. BNDESPAR will commit up to…
Singapore launches AI-powered BizSG portal to simplify grant and government access
Singapore's whole-of-government BizSG portal, unveiled by Senior Minister of State Low Yen Ling at the SME Centre Conference on 9 Sep 2026, launches on 30 Sep 2026 as a single entr…
British Business Bank plans new £150m Northern scale-up fund for high-growth firms
On 7 September 2026 the British Business Bank revealed plans to commit up to £150m to a new fund backing high-growth scale-up businesses across the North of England, including univ…
Region Stockholm affarsutvecklingscheckar open Sept 7 to 27, 2026: up to SEK 200,000
Region Stockholm's 2026 business development checks (affarsutvecklingscheckar) are open for applications from 7 to 27 September 2026. SMEs can apply for SEK 50,000 to SEK 200,000,…
Federal SBIR/STTR fall deadlines cluster before FY-end Sept 30
Non-dilutive SBIR/STTR grant deadlines fall this month, with the next standard NIH SBIR/STTR due date on Sept 8, 2026 and multiple DoD and Air Force FY2026 Release 2 topics closing…
China's MIIT launches AI SME plan, targets 10,000+ new AI startups by 2028
On 4 September 2026, China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) issued the 'AI SME Entrepreneurship Support Plan (2026-2028),' structured as 4 areas and 15 key…
MIIT launches AI SME Entrepreneurship Support Plan 2026-2028
On September 4, 2026, China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) issued the 'AI SME Entrepreneurship Support Plan (2026-2028),' targeting over 10,000 new sci-te…
China issues 2026 to 2030 SME plan; targets 22,000 little giant firms, phase 2 national fund
On September 3, 2026, ten Chinese government departments led by MIIT jointly issued a plan for high-quality SME development over 2026 to 2030. It targets 22,000 national little gia…
One North Carolina Small Business Program awards $2.4M; FY2027 solicitations open mid-September
North Carolina awarded more than $2.4 million across 50 grants to 46 small businesses commercializing new technologies, with Incentive and Matching grants tied to federal SBIR/STTR…
China launches Phase 2 of National SME Fund for early-stage hard-tech startups
On 3 September 2026, MIIT and nine other agencies confirmed a second phase of the National SME Development Fund alongside China's 15th Five-Year SME development plan. Phase 1 (esta…
China issues 15th Five-Year Plan for SMEs, targets 22,000 'little giant' firms by 2030
On Sept 3, 2026, ten government departments led by MIIT jointly issued China's 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030) for SME development. It targets 22,000 specialized 'little giant' fir…
South Korea proposes record $597B 2027 budget centered on AI and chips
On 1 September 2026 South Korea proposed a record 821 trillion won (about $597 billion) 2027 budget that names AI and semiconductors as strategic national priorities. The plan sign…
Delaware EDGE Grant offers up to $750K for STEM startups, closes September 11
Delaware's EDGE Grant awards up to $750,000 to early-stage STEM businesses and up to $400,000 to non-STEM small businesses, with the current application round closing September 11,…
MAS commits S$220M to FSTI 4.0 to fund fintech innovation and AI adoption
On 31 August 2026, the Monetary Authority of Singapore committed S$220 million (about US$173 million) over three years to the renewed Financial Sector Technology and Innovation Sch…
MAS commits S$220M FSTI 4.0 to fund fintech innovation over three years
On 31 August 2026, the Monetary Authority of Singapore committed S$220 million (about US$173 million) over three years under the renewed Financial Sector Technology and Innovation…
Sebrae and Bossa Invest open Inova Startups 6th edition, up to R$800k per startup
At Startup Summit 2026 (Aug 26), Sebrae/SC and Bossa Invest launched the 6th edition of the Inova Startups program, with gross capital of R$20 million and up to R$800 thousand inve…
Ottawa invests nearly $15M for Black entrepreneurs across southern Ontario
On August 26, 2026, FedDev Ontario announced nearly $15 million in non-repayable funding for nine organizations supporting Black entrepreneurs across southern Ontario, with funding…
Inova Startups 6th edition opens: up to R$800k equity per Brazilian startup
Registrations for the 6th edition of Inova Startups opened on August 26, 2026 during Startup Summit in Florianopolis and run through November 30, 2026, with results on February 28,…
BDC expands Pivot to Grow loan for tariff-hit SMEs: financing from $250K, revenue floor cut to $1M
On August 25, 2026, BDC announced an expansion of its Pivot to Grow loan to help small businesses absorb cash-flow pressure from new U.S. tariffs imposed August 22, 2026. Eligible…
Canada boosts Regional Tariff Response by $1.5B; SME cap rises to $3M
In its August 25, 2026 $7.5-billion tariff-support package, the federal government added $1.5 billion to the Regional Tariff Response Initiative delivered by Canada's seven Regiona…
Canada launches $2B Strong Diversification Fund for tariff-hit firms
On August 25, 2026, the federal government announced a new $2 billion Canada Strong Diversification Fund as part of a $7.5B tariff-relief package. It backs shovel-ready capital-mai…
BDC expands Pivot to Grow loan with $500M stream for tariff-hit firms
On 25 August 2026 Ottawa and BDC expanded the Pivot to Grow loan, adding a $500-million liquidity stream with financing starting at $250,000 and up to $5 million per borrower. Elig…
Ottawa adds $1.5B to Regional Tariff Response for SME liquidity in $7.5B package
On August 25, 2026, the federal government announced a $7.5 billion package of new and enhanced measures for tariff-hit workers and businesses. It includes a $1.5 billion boost to…
DOE and SBA launch SBIC-E to steer private capital into small-business energy tech
On Aug 24, 2026 the Department of Energy and SBA signed an agreement creating the Small Business Investment Company-Energy (SBIC-E) Initiative, pairing DOE technical expertise with…
NZ launches Institute for Advanced Technology at Auckland's GridAKL
On 21 August 2026 the Government launched the New Zealand Institute for Advanced Technology (NZIAT), the country's fourth Public Research Organisation, based at GridAKL in Auckland…
China raises SME subsidized loan cap to 75 million yuan, widens interest subsidy
On August 21, 2026 the Ministry of Finance, PBOC, and National Financial Regulatory Administration expanded the fiscal interest-subsidy program, effective August 1, 2026. The per-b…
SBA proposes size-standard overhaul that would add 110,000+ eligible small businesses
On Aug 20, 2026 the SBA proposed simplifying its size standards from ~1,000 NAICS codes into 338 broader categories and raising many thresholds (e.g., semiconductor makers 1,250 to…
India clears 31 more ECMS electronics projects worth Rs 7,877 cr; open to July 2027
On Aug 17, 2026, MeitY approved 31 new applications worth Rs 7,877 crore under the Electronics Component Manufacturing Scheme (ECMS), taking cumulative approvals to 106 projects an…
BNDES-Finep get 19 bids to run R$250M FIP Conexoes Startups fund
The public call to select a manager for the FIP Conexoes Startups closed on Aug 12, 2026 with 19 proposals from fund managers. The vehicle will mobilize up to R$250 million for ear…
China deploys 800 billion yuan policy finance tool to back private SME investment
On Aug 14, 2026 the NDRC convened banks and provincial DRCs to speed rollout of a new-type policy finance tool of 800 billion yuan for 2026 (up 300 billion from 2025's 500 billion)…
BNDES-Finep FIP Conexões Startups draws 19 managers for R$250M early-stage fund
The FIP Conexões Startups venture fund from BNDES and Finep closed its manager-selection call on Aug 12, 2026, drawing 19 proposals; BNDESPAR commits up to R$100M and Finep R$50M t…
NZ R&D Career Grants reopen 31 Aug 2026: up to $35k to hire a masters/PhD grad
Innovation Services (administered by MBIE) reopens R&D Career Grant applications at 9am on Monday 31 August 2026. The grant funds six months' salary for an R&D hire — up to $30,000…
SBA rolls out 90% loan guarantee for energy-sector small businesses
On Aug 14, 2026 the SBA announced a new 90% Energy Guarantee (versus the standard 75%) through its International Trade Loan program under SOP 50 10 8.1. Eligible small businesses s…
SBA's SOP 50 10 8.1 takes effect Oct 1, tightening 7(a) acquisition loan rules
SBA issued SOP 50 10 8.1 on August 14, 2026, governing any 7(a) or 504 application that receives a loan number on or after October 1, 2026. Key changes: outside investors can fund…
Delaware opens free Business on Main Street Accelerator; apply by Aug 31, 2026
Announced Aug 13, 2026, Delaware's Division of Small Business and partner Launcher opened applications (deadline Aug 31, 2026) for the free 8-week Business on Main Street Accelerat…
IndiaAI Mission crosses 38,000 GPUs, offers subsidised AI compute to startups
In an official update dated August 11, 2026, MeitY confirmed the Rs 10,372 crore IndiaAI Mission has onboarded more than 38,000 GPUs for its common compute facility - over three ti…
SBA drops race-based presumption in 8(a); new self-certified disadvantage test
On August 11, 2026 the SBA published a final rule ending the 8(a) program's rebuttable presumption of social disadvantage for enumerated groups, effective September 10, 2026. Any U…
Start Growth opens 2026 batch: R$5M for 10 B2B SaaS startups, apply by Aug 28
On August 9, 2026, Brazilian accelerator Start Growth opened applications for its 2026 investment batch, which will select 10 B2B SaaS startups and invest up to R$500,000 in each,…
DPIIT signs 5 MoUs giving startups cloud credits, payments and mentorship
On August 8, 2026, DPIIT (Startup India) signed five strategic MoUs with Cashfree Payments, Vultr India, Darwin Dynamics, Cars24 Services and the Council for Startup India to expan…
DPIIT signs 5 MoUs giving DPIIT-recognised startups payments, cloud and investment perks
On August 8, 2026, DPIIT signed five strategic MoUs with Cashfree Payments, Vultr India, Cars24, Darwin Dynamics and the Council for Startup India. DPIIT-recognised startups get pr…
DPIIT signs 5 MoUs giving recognised startups cloud credits and payments perks
On 8 August 2026 India's DPIIT signed five strategic MoUs with Cashfree Payments, Vultr India, Cars24, Darwin Dynamics and the Council for Startup India. DPIIT-recognised startups…
DPIIT signs 5 MoUs to give recognised startups payments, cloud and mentorship
On August 8, 2026, DPIIT signed strategic MoUs with five partners: Cashfree Payments, Vultr India, Cars24, Darwin Dynamics and the Council for Startup India. DPIIT-recognised start…
UK deploys £100m to launch 10 new VC microfunds backing early-stage startups
On 7 August 2026, HM Treasury and the British Business Bank announced a £100m deployment under the Investor Pathways Capital initiative to launch up to 10 new UK venture capital fu…
India's RDI Fund clears first ₹2,192 cr soft loans for 22 deep-tech startups
In its first funding round (reported Aug 7, 2026), the Technology Development Board's 12-member Investment Committee approved ₹2,192 crore in soft loans to 22 private companies pic…
UK commits £100m to launch up to 10 new regional VC funds via Investor Pathways
On 7 August 2026, the government announced a £100m next phase of the £400m British Business Bank Investor Pathways Capital initiative, backing as many as 10 new venture capital fun…
Innovate UK names largest-ever Women in Innovation cohort: GBP 75k each
On 7 August 2026 Innovate UK announced its largest-ever Women in Innovation cohort, recognising 100 UK female founders. 61 of them receive a GBP 75,000 grant plus 12 months of tail…
DGFT opens 'Source from India' export platform to DPIIT startups with Start-Up Badge
Via Trade Notice No. 16 dated 6 August 2026, DGFT expanded the 'Source from India' service on the Trade Connect ePlatform to DPIIT-recognised startups, letting them build dedicated…
DGFT opens 'Source from India' export platform to DPIIT-recognised startups
Via Trade Notice No. 16 dated August 6, 2026, DGFT expanded its 'Source from India' feature on the Trade Connect ePlatform to DPIIT-recognised startups. Qualifying startups can bui…
SBA opens up to $10M in E2G manufacturing-training grants for tribal & community colleges
On Aug 5, 2026 the SBA opened its Manufacturing in America Empower to Grow (E2G) initiative for Tribal Colleges and Universities, community colleges near tribal lands, and trade sc…
Venture for Canada launches Solopreneurship program for independent founders
On 5 August 2026 national charity Venture for Canada launched Solopreneurship, a six-week hybrid program helping Canadians build a business around a single skill or service without…
SBA opens $10M Tribal-college Manufacturing E2G training grant
On Aug 5, 2026, the SBA opened its Manufacturing in America Empower to Grow (E2G) initiative, awarding up to five grants totaling up to $10 million to tribal colleges, community co…
SBA opens $10M Empower to Grow grants for hands-on manufacturing training
On Aug 5, 2026 the SBA opened its Manufacturing in America 'Empower to Grow' (E2G) initiative, awarding up to five grants totaling up to $10M to tribal colleges, community colleges…
Delaware opens Fall 2026 EDGE Grant: $1.15M for early-stage firms, apply by Sept 11
Delaware's Division of Small Business opens its Fall 2026 EDGE Grant competition on Aug 11, 2026, with $1.15 million available split between an Entrepreneur track ($400,000) and a…
Industry Growth Program: federal commercialisation grants $50k-$5M (currently paused)
The Australian Government's Industry Growth Program, run by the Department of Industry, Science and Resources, offers matched grants of $50k to $250k for early stage commercialisat…
Hunan raises graduate startup guarantee loan cap to 500,000 yuan
On July 31, 2026, Hunan's Human Resources and Social Security Department, jointly with the Provincial Finance Department and PBOC Hunan Branch, issued a notice optimizing the entre…
Start BSB 3rd cycle opens: up to R$200k economic subsidy for DF startups
Brasilia's Start BSB program opened its 3rd cycle on July 29, 2026, offering non-reimbursable economic subsidy across three tracks: up to R$53,000 (ideation/Eixo I), up to R$110,00…
Singapore lifts SME Working Capital Loan risk-share to 70% for Sept 2026-Mar 2027
On 29 July 2026, Singapore's Ministry of Finance announced that the Enterprise Financing Scheme - SME Working Capital Loan's government risk-share rises to 70% for all enterprises…
Start BSB 3rd cycle opens: up to R$200k non-refundable grants for DF startups
FAPDF's Start BSB 3rd cycle offers non-refundable economic subsidy (subvencao economica) of up to R$53,000 for ideation, R$110,000 for incubation/pre-acceleration and R$200,000 for…
New £2,000 grant for non-levy SMEs hiring 16-24 apprentices from Oct 2026
From 1 October 2026, non-levy-paying employers (those with a paybill under £3m) can claim up to £2,000 for hiring an apprentice aged 16-24, provided the apprentice's practical star…
Brazil launches 5th Eco Invest auction to fund green-tech innovation
On July 28, 2026, Brazil's Ministry of Finance published the operational manual for the 5th Eco Invest Brasil auction, financing technology innovation in strategic ecological-trans…
China streamlines High-Tech Enterprise recognition to speed startup tax perks
On July 27, 2026, China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) and seven other departments launched a special action to streamline the recognition process for hig…
UK pension giants explore £1bn+ Scale-up Fund to back British science and tech firms
On 27 July 2026 the government announced that five major UK pension providers - Railpen, Nest, LPPI, LGPS Central and Border to Coast - are joining forces to explore a new UK Scale…
CSIRO ON Accelerate 11 opens: up to A$80k non-dilutive, apply by 31 Aug 2026
CSIRO opened applications for ON Accelerate 11, its national deep-tech accelerator, running 27 July to 31 August 2026. Selected teams receive a three-month program valued at over A…
NC IDEA MICRO opens Fall 2026 cycle: $10K grants for North Carolina founders
NC IDEA opened its Fall 2026 MICRO grant cycle on Jul 27, 2026, awarding $10,000 (75% at signing, 25% two months later) plus an eight-week customer-discovery and launch program. Ap…
MIIT issues 'Xiao-Kuai-Qing-Zhun' 2026 guide to curate cheap digital tools for SMEs
On July 27, 2026, China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (工业和信息化部) issued the 'Xiao-Kuai-Qing-Zhun' (小快轻准) Digital Products and Services Cultivation Guide (2026 Ed…
SBA opens $9M SCALE program: 20 supply-chain accelerator grants up to $500K
On July 23, 2026 the SBA launched the Supply Chain Acceleration and Logistics Enablement (SCALE) program, awarding 20 grants of up to $500,000 each ($9M total) over a two-year peri…
SBA launches $9M SCALE grants for supply-chain accelerators
On July 23, 2026 the SBA launched the Supply Chain Acceleration and Logistics Enablement (SCALE) program, offering 20 grants of up to $500,000 each ($9M total, two-year performance…
SBA launches $9M SCALE grants for small-business supply chains
On July 23, 2026, the SBA announced its new Supply Chain Acceleration and Logistics Enablement (SCALE) program: about 20 grants of up to $500,000 each ($9M total) over a two-year p…
NIST opens ~$46.5M competition for 14 state MEP manufacturing centers
On July 22, 2026 NIST released a Notice of Funding Opportunity totaling roughly $46.5M to establish Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) centers in 14 states and territories (…
Endeavor opens Asia-Pacific Global Hub in Singapore, backed by EDB, EnterpriseSG
On 22 July 2026, Endeavor launched its first Asia-Pacific Global Hub in Singapore, in a public-private partnership with EDB and Enterprise Singapore. Its 'Dare to Scale' programme…
Endeavor opens first Asia-Pacific Global Hub in Singapore with EnterpriseSG and EDB
On 22 July 2026, EnterpriseSG and EDB partnered with Endeavor to launch its first Asia-Pacific Global Hub in Singapore, giving local founders access to a global network of 3,000+ e…
Pennsylvania budgets $125M for Innovate in PA 2.0 to back life-sciences startups
Gov. Josh Shapiro announced on July 22, 2026 that Pennsylvania's 2026-27 budget includes $125 million for Innovate in PA 2.0, funding promising startups plus a statewide clinical-t…
EnterpriseSG, EDB & Endeavor open first Asia-Pacific Global Hub in Singapore
On 22 July 2026, EnterpriseSG, EDB and Endeavor launched Endeavor's first Asia-Pacific Global Hub in Singapore, alongside the inaugural 'Dare to Scale' programme for early-stage Si…
SBA opens $6M competition to modernize Women's Business Centers in 8 states
On July 21, 2026 the SBA announced a national competition for $6 million to fund a Women's Business Center Modernization Initiative, creating State Lead Centers and local Service C…
SBA opens $6M Women's Business Center modernization grant; Aug 10 deadline
The SBA announced on July 21, 2026 a $6M national competition to modernize Women's Business Centers, limited to eight states/territories where funding lagged fast-growing women-own…
MBIE refreshes Founder & Startup Support Programme with 14 providers from 1 July 2026
On 21 July 2026 MBIE announced a refreshed Founder & Startup Support Programme, appointing 14 providers under new contracts that began 1 July 2026 with an initial two-year term. It…
MBIE names 14 providers for refreshed Founder & Startup Support Programme
On 21 July 2026, MBIE announced a refreshed Founder & Startup Support Programme delivered by 14 appointed providers under contracts that began 1 July 2026 (two-year initial term wi…
NZ relaunches Founder & Startup Support Programme with 14 providers from 1 July 2026
MBIE has appointed a refreshed network of 14 providers to deliver the Founder & Startup Support Programme, with new contracts commencing 1 July 2026 for an initial two-year term. T…
NZ refreshes Founder & Startup Support Programme with 14 providers from 1 July 2026
On 21 July 2026 MBIE confirmed a refreshed Founder & Startup Support Programme (FSSP) with a network of 14 providers on new contracts that began 1 July 2026 for an initial two-year…
NZ launches refreshed Founder and Startup Support Programme with 14 providers
MBIE launched the refreshed Founder and Startup Support Programme (FSSP) on 21 July 2026, with new contracts that commenced 1 July 2026 for an initial two-year term. It appoints 14…
SBA opens $6M to modernize Women's Business Centers in 8 states
Announced July 21, 2026, the SBA's $6M Women's Business Center Modernization Initiative funds new State Lead and Service Centers delivering free counseling and training to women en…
Delhi approves Rs 400 crore Startup & Incubation Policy over 5 years
The Delhi Cabinet approved the Start-up and Incubation Policy on July 16-17, 2026, committing more than Rs 400 crore over five years. It funds incubation centres across 11 state un…
Delhi Cabinet clears Rs 400 crore Start-up and Incubation Policy
On July 16, 2026, the Delhi Cabinet approved a Start-up and Incubation Policy committing over Rs 400 crore (~$46.5M) over five years. Phase one covers 11 state universities, 13 gov…
Cabinet clears India Semiconductor Mission 2.0 with Rs 1.27 lakh cr, startup design grants
On July 15, 2026 the Union Cabinet approved India Semiconductor Mission (ISM) 2.0 with a Rs 1,27,500 crore outlay. It uses a grant-plus-equity model for smaller startups designing…
Ottawa commits $13.85M to 63 Quebec AI projects under Regional AI Initiative
On July 15, 2026, Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions (CED) announced $13,852,374 through the Regional Artificial Intelligence Initiative (RAII) for 63 Quebec organizati…
NSW MVP Ventures backs 22 startups with $1M; Round 3 now in assessment
On 14 July 2026 the NSW Government announced 22 startups and small businesses would share more than $1 million under Round 2 of the 2025-26 MVP Ventures Program. The program offers…
UK expands Growth Guarantee Scheme: £2bn more SME lending a year, terms up to 10 years
On 13 July 2026 HM Treasury announced an expansion of the British Business Bank's Growth Guarantee Scheme, adding £2bn of supported SME lending a year by 2028/29 to reach £3.35bn a…
UK expands Growth Guarantee Scheme, adds £500m ENABLE line for IP-rich startups
On 13 July 2026 the government expanded the British Business Bank's Growth Guarantee Scheme, raising maximum loan terms from 6 to 10 years and turnover eligibility from £45m to £54…
UK expands Growth Guarantee Scheme: £6.5bn more SME lending, turnover cap up to £54m
On 12 July 2026 the Chancellor announced a major expansion of the British Business Bank's Growth Guarantee Scheme, unlocking a further £6.5bn of lending over four years and lifting…
StartupCE 2026 opens: up to 60 startups get 6-month acceleration + BIT grants
Sebrae/CE, in partnership with Funcap, opened applications for the StartupCE 2026 program from July 7 to August 14, 2026, selecting up to 60 startups. Selected companies receive a…
ESA BIC UK opens next intake: up to €60k grant for space-tech startups, 28 Aug deadline
The European Space Agency Business Incubation Centre (ESA BIC UK) at Space Park Leicester reopened applications, with the next deadline at 12:00 on 28 August 2026. Selected UK star…
SBA doubles combined 7(a)+504 loan cap to $10M
Effective July 4, 2026, the SBA raised the cumulative cap a borrower can hold across its two flagship loan programs from $5 million to $10 million: up to $5 million through the 7(a…
SBA doubles combined 7(a) and 504 loan cap to $10 million
Effective July 4, 2026, the SBA doubled the cumulative borrowing limit for businesses using both loan programs from $5 million to $10 million. Qualified borrowers can now access up…
SBA doubles combined 7(a)+504 loan ceiling to $10 million
Effective July 4, 2026, the SBA doubled the cumulative cap on its two flagship loan programs to $10 million—up to $5M in 7(a) and up to $5M in 504 held at the same time. Previously…
Austrade Landing Pads runs again in 2026-27: global market access for Aussie scaleups
On 7 July 2026, Austrade confirmed its Landing Pads program continues into FY2026-27, after supporting 327 Australian scaleups through 13 programs over the prior 12 months across f…
SBA doubles combined 7(a)+504 borrowing cap to $10 million from July 4
Effective July 4, 2026 (announced July 7), the SBA doubled the combined limit for businesses using both flagship loan programs: up to $5M through 7(a) and up to $5M through 504, fo…
Austrade opens 2026-27 Landing Pads calendar for Australian tech scaleups
On 7 July 2026 Austrade released its 2026-27 Landing Pads calendar, offering Australian tech scaleups government-backed international expansion support across five markets: Indones…
Canada launches Small Business Procurement Program to open $37B federal market to SMEs
On July 6, 2026, Public Services and Procurement Canada launched the Small Business Procurement Program (SBPP) to help small firms win a share of the government's $37 billion in an…
Uttar Pradesh approves Startup Policy 2026 with Rs 1,000 crore startup fund
The Uttar Pradesh cabinet approved the Startup Policy 2026 on 6 July 2026, creating a Rs 1,000 crore startup fund. Eligible startups can get seed funding up to Rs 15 lakh (up to Rs…
Canada launches Small Business Procurement Program to open federal contracts to SMEs
On July 6, 2026, Public Services and Procurement Canada and ISED launched new Small Business Procurement Program (SBPP) measures, backed by $79.9M over five years for Innovative So…
Uttar Pradesh Startup Policy 2026 sets up Rs 1,000 crore fund, doubles seed grants
The UP Cabinet cleared the Uttar Pradesh Startup Policy 2026 on 6 July 2026, creating a dedicated Rs 1,000 crore startup fund. Standard seed funding doubles to Rs 15 lakh (up to Rs…
NSF SBIR/STTR deep-tech Phase I proposals due Nov 4, 2026
NSF's current SBIR/STTR solicitation (NSF 26-510) funds deep technologies advancing US competitiveness and security, with invited Phase I and Fast-Track full proposals due November…
SENAI opens R$190M innovation platform; Alianca Startups e PMEs grant for SMEs
On July 1, 2026, SENAI launched the 2026 cycle of its Plataforma Inovacao para a Industria with about R$190 million in R&D funding. The 'Alianca Startups e PMEs' call (R$7.7M total…
Victoria merges LaunchVic and Breakthrough Victoria into Innovation Victoria
From 1 July 2026, Victoria folded startup agency LaunchVic and the state's ~$2 billion Breakthrough Victoria investment fund into a single new body, Innovation Victoria, pitched as…
Innovate UK-Switzerland R&D fund: up to GBP 450k per UK firm, closes 3 Sep 2026
Innovate UK's UK-Switzerland Collaborative R&D Round 3 opened on 1 July 2026 and closes at 11:00am on 3 September 2026, sharing up to GBP 3 million (matched by at least CHF 3 milli…
China's new rule gives veteran founders tax breaks and financing from Aug 1, 2026
On June 30, 2026, Premier Li Qiang signed a State Council decree issuing a regulation to promote employment and business start-ups among ex-service personnel, taking effect August…
MAS opens 2026 Global FinTech Hackcelerator; S$80k prizes, Aug 14 deadline
On 29 June 2026, the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) opened applications for the 2026 Global FinTech Hackcelerator, run with the Singapore FinTech Festival. Applications clos…
MAS opens 2026 Global FinTech Hackcelerator: S$80,000 per winner, apply by Aug 14
MAS announced on 29 June 2026 the call for its 2026 Global FinTech Hackcelerator (part of Singapore FinTech Festival), inviting AI proposals on three problem statements: credit/fra…
MAS launches Future of Finance Institute to scale AI and tokenisation in finance
On 25-26 June 2026, the Monetary Authority of Singapore established the Future of Finance Institute (FFI) to move AI and tokenisation beyond pilots across Singapore's financial sec…
Sweden orders Vinnova and Tillvaxtverket to fix deeptech funding gaps
On June 25, 2026, the Swedish government tasked Vinnova and Tillvaxtverket with analyzing how to improve capital access for breakthrough-innovation and deeptech companies. The agen…
Innovate UK opens £10m 'Next Wave: Breakthrough' createch grant, up to £350k
Innovate UK opened its 'Next Wave: Breakthrough Wave 1' competition on 23 June 2026, sharing £10 million for creative-technology (createch) research projects in England. UK-registe…
British Business Bank readies GBP 350m East and South East England funds for summer 2026
The British Business Bank is standing up two Nations and Regions Investment Funds for launch in summer 2026: GBP 210m for the South East (SEIF) and GBP 140m for the East of England…
Ontario adds $6M to Futurpreneur to back nearly 1,000 young founders
On June 22, 2026, Ontario announced an additional $6 million for Futurpreneur Canada, expected to help nearly 1,000 entrepreneurs aged 18-39 launch and grow businesses and support…
Canada adds $173.7M to Women Entrepreneurship Strategy, incl. microloans up to $50K
On June 22, 2026, ISED Minister Rechie Valdez announced $173.7 million over five years for the Women Entrepreneurship Strategy, split across the Women Entrepreneurship Loan Fund ($…
DPIIT publishes 107-page Startup Playbook mapping 65+ government schemes
In June 2026 DPIIT released the 'Playbook of Government Schemes and Initiatives for Startups', a 107-page official guide (dated 22 June 2026) that consolidates 65+ Central Governme…
Google for Startups Accelerator opens to NZ founders for the first time in 2026
Google announced on 21 June 2026 that its Google for Startups Accelerator: Australia and New Zealand includes Kiwi startups for the first time. The equity-free 10-week hybrid progr…
LaunchVic funds 9 AI & deeptech pre-accelerators with $3.5M for Victorian founders
On 18 June 2026, Victoria's LaunchVic announced $3.5 million to fund nine pre-accelerator programs for early-stage AI and deeptech startups, with each provider receiving up to $400…
Victoria funds nine AI & deeptech pre-accelerators with $3.5M, up to $400k each
Announced 18 June 2026 at the Victorian Startup Gala, the Victorian Government is splitting $3.5 million across nine pre-accelerator programs, each receiving up to $400,000 to help…
China's 7-agency plan makes big platforms open tech, data and compute to SMEs
On June 18, 2026, seven agencies led by MIIT (with CAC, NDRC, MOST, MOFCOM, SAMR and the National Data Administration) issued the Action Plan for Coordinated Development of Large,…
BNDES and Finep launch FIP Conexoes Startups fund targeting up to R$250M
On June 18, 2026, BNDESPAR and Finep opened a public call to select the manager of the FIP Conexoes Startups, a private-equity fund with a target capital of R$250 million (minimum…
BNDES and Finep launch FIP Conexões Startups, a R$250M startup fund
On June 16, 2026, Brazil's BNDES and Finep opened a public call to select the manager of FIP Conexões Startups, a fund targeting R$250 million (BNDESPAR contributing R$40-100M; Fin…
BNDES and Finep launch FIP Conexoes Startups: R$250M VC fund for Brazilian startups
On June 16, 2026, BNDES and Finep announced the FIP Conexoes Startups, a venture capital fund with target capital of R$250 million. BNDESPAR commits R$40-100 million and Finep up t…
NZ govt funds AI tools for small business: $400k AcceleratorNZ, $82k AI mentor
On 11 June 2026, Small Business Minister Cameron Brewer announced Government funding for AI-powered SME support: $400,000 to Business South to expand its AcceleratorNZ programme to…
China rolls out national action plan to boost startup founders and sci-tech spinouts
On June 11, 2026, four Chinese government departments led by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security released an action plan promoting 'specialized entrepreneurship' bu…
Canada's new AI strategy pledges $2.3B, incl. $500M Canadian Tech Growth Fund
On June 4, 2026, Canada unveiled a national AI strategy with roughly $2.3 billion in spending, headlined by a new $500-million Canadian Tech Growth Fund offering growth capital, in…
Government Start Up Loans: £500, £25,000 personal loan at 7.5% fixed plus 12 months free mentoring
Start Up Loans Now Charge 7.5% Interest New loans have a fixed interest rate of 7.5%. Loans taken before 6 April 2026 retain the 6% rate. Eligible businesses must have been trading…
NSF reboots SBIR/STTR with $250M and a new $30M Strategic Breakthrough tier
NSF restarted its SBIR/STTR deep-tech program (solicitation NSF 26-510) with a $250M FY26 budget, announced May 31, 2026. It adds a Strategic Breakthrough Awards tier of up to $30M…
NSF's relaunched SBIR/STTR reopens: next Phase I pitch window Nov 4
NSF's revived SBIR/STTR program (solicitation NSF 26-510) funds deep-tech startups with up to $305,000 for Phase I over 6-18 months and up to ~$1.25M for Phase II, with roughly $21…
Budget 2026: $10m Emerging Managers' Programme via NZGCP to back new startup VCs
Budget 2026 (delivered 28 May 2026) allocated NZ$10 million in capital to a new Startup Support Package - Emerging Managers' Programme, delivered by NZ Growth Capital Partners (NZG…
Vinnova Innovative Startups 2026: up to SEK 500,000, applications Oct 12-Jan 12
Vinnova's Innovative Startups 2026 call funds knowledge-intensive Swedish startups with up to SEK 500,000 to test customer needs, business idea and willingness to pay. The applicat…
Google for Startups Accelerator: SEA opens, equity-free AI cohort starts Aug 2026
Google Cloud launched the equity-free Google for Startups Accelerator: Southeast Asia, a three-month program for 25 seed-to-Series B AI startups from Singapore and five other ASEAN…
Google Cloud & EnterpriseSG launch AI Startup Innovation Corridor via Singapore
On 25 May 2026, Google Cloud launched an AI Startup Innovation Corridor linking Southeast Asia to Silicon Valley through Singapore, backed by EnterpriseSG and regional partners. Th…
Google Cloud & EnterpriseSG launch AI startup corridor; SEA cohort begins Aug 2026
On 25 May 2026, Google Cloud and Enterprise Singapore (with government partners in Indonesia and Vietnam) launched a Southeast Asia-to-Silicon Valley AI startup corridor routed thr…
Google for Startups Accelerator: Southeast Asia opens with EnterpriseSG, starts Aug 2026
On 25 May 2026 Google Cloud, with Enterprise Singapore, launched the Google for Startups Accelerator: Southeast Asia, an equity-free three-month program for an inaugural cohort of…
British Business Bank puts £25m into Antler UK Fund II to back founders from day one
On 21 May 2026 the government-owned British Business Bank made a £25m cornerstone commitment to Antler's UK Fund II — its first backing of Antler. The fund invests in founders from…
CanExport SMEs 2026-27 raises eligibility bar; deadline Aug 31, 2026
For fiscal 2026-27, CanExport SMEs raised its minimum eligibility to 3 full-time employees and $300,000 in annual revenue (up from 1 FTE and $100,000). Of the roughly $31M pool, on…
SBA rolls out 90% Made-in-America loan guarantee, waived fees for manufacturers
The SBA has introduced a 90% Made in America loan guarantee for small manufacturers and waived loan fees for manufacturing NAICS codes in FY2026, alongside a free 'Make Onshoring G…
DOL proposes narrower joint-employer liability rule
On April 23, 2026, the U.S. Department of Labor issued a proposed rule to narrow when two businesses are treated as 'joint employers' under the Fair Labor Standards Act. It targets…
SBA opens $50M Made in America manufacturing and workforce grant
The SBA announced a new $50M grant opportunity on May 6, 2026 to support Made in America manufacturing and workforce training, targeting small manufacturers who make up 98% of US m…
SBA opens $50M Empower to Grow grant to train small US manufacturers
The SBA announced a new funding opportunity of up to $50 million (announced May 6, 2026) for organizations to deliver training and technical assistance to small manufacturers throu…
SBA opens $50M grant to support Made-in-America manufacturing and training
On May 6, 2026 the SBA announced a new $50 million grant opportunity to support Made in America manufacturing and workforce training, part of a broader push that also includes a 90…
India operationalizes Rs 10,000 crore Startup Fund of Funds 2.0 through SIDBI
DPIIT issued operational guidelines on April 27, 2026 for the Startup India Fund of Funds 2.0, a Rs 10,000 crore (about US$1.08 billion) corpus run initially by SIDBI. The fund com…
SBIR and STTR reauthorized through Sept 30, 2031, with new $30M breakthrough awards
President Trump signed the Small Business Innovation and Economic Security Act of 2026 (S. 3971) on Apr 13, 2026, extending the SBIR and STTR non-dilutive R&D grant programs throug…
SBIR/STTR non-dilutive R&D grant programs reauthorized through 2031
President Trump signed S.3971, the Small Business Innovation and Economic Security Act (Public Law 119-83), into law on April 13, 2026, reauthorizing the SBIR and STTR programs thr…
SBIR/STTR reauthorized through 2031 with new $30M breakthrough awards
Signed into law April 13, 2026, the reauthorization extends the SBIR and STTR programs through September 30, 2031, ending the recurring short-term lapses. It also creates new Strat…
Govt notifies Startup India Fund of Funds 2.0 with Rs 10,000 cr corpus
The Central Government notified 'Startup India Fund of Funds 2.0' on 13 April 2026 with a Rs 10,000 crore corpus to mobilize venture capital for DPIIT-recognised startups. SIDBI is…
SBIR/STTR reauthorized through 2031, adding a $30M breakthrough track
The Small Business Innovation and Economic Security Act of 2026, signed Apr 13, 2026, reauthorized the SBIR and STTR programs through Sept 30, 2031 after a six-month lapse that had…
UK Start Up Loans now cover businesses trading up to 5 years; rate rises to 7.5%
From 6 April 2026 the government-backed Start Up Loans programme (delivered via the British Business Bank) extended eligibility to businesses trading for up to 5 years (60 months),…
CanExport SMEs revamped for 2026-27: US or global focus, higher bar
For fiscal 2026-27, Canada's CanExport SMEs program has about $31M for international market activities (roughly $3.1M earmarked for US-focused projects), still reimbursing 50% of e…
Ottawa launches $1B BDC Growth VCCI to expand Canadian VC in 2026 to 27
Budget 2025's Venture and Growth Capital Catalyst Initiative (Growth VCCI) commits $1 billion on a cash basis, managed by BDC, starting in fiscal year 2026-27. It runs three stream…
SBA bars foreign-national-owned businesses from SBA loans
In a March 9, 2026 policy notice, the SBA banned businesses with any foreign-national ownership from all SBA-guaranteed programs, including 7(a), 504, Microloan, and Surety Bond. A…
Singapore to merge EDG, PSG and MRA into single EDGE grant in H2 2026
EnterpriseSG is consolidating the Enterprise Development Grant (EDG), Productivity Solutions Grant (PSG) and Market Readiness Assistance (MRA) into one unified EDGE scheme launchin…
Singapore adds S$1B to Startup SG Equity, now covering growth-stage deep tech
EnterpriseSG confirmed a S$1 billion top-up to the Startup SG Equity (SSGE) co-investment scheme, announced at Budget 2026 and the MTI Committee of Supply 2026. For the first time…
Singapore adds S$1B to Startup SG Equity, extends co-investment to growth-stage deep tech
In a 2 March 2026 media release, EnterpriseSG confirmed a S$1 billion top-up to the Startup SG Equity (SSGE) scheme, under which EnterpriseSG and EDB co-invest alongside qualified…
Singapore tops up Startup SG Equity by S$1B and extends it to growth-stage deep tech
As announced at Budget 2026 and confirmed in EnterpriseSG's 02 March 2026 media release, S$1 billion is being set aside to top up the Startup SG Equity (SSGE) scheme. Beyond its or…
Singapore merges PSG, EDG and MRA grants into one new EDGE scheme launching H2 2026
At Budget 2026 (announced 12 Feb 2026), Singapore confirmed it will consolidate the Productivity Solutions Grant, Enterprise Development Grant and Market Readiness Assistance into…
DPIIT doubles startup turnover cap to Rs 200 cr, adds new deep-tech class
DPIIT's Gazette Notification G.S.R. 108(E), issued 4 February 2026, replaced the 2019 framework, raising the turnover ceiling for recognised startups from Rs 100 crore to Rs 200 cr…
SBA 7(a) Working Capital Pilot offers monitored credit lines up to $5M
The SBA's 7(a) Working Capital Pilot (WCP) provides government-backed monitored lines of credit up to $5,000,000, with interest charged only when the line is drawn. As of February…
China's MOF launches 1.5-point loan interest subsidy for MSMEs, in effect for 2026
China's Ministry of Finance and partner departments rolled out a loan interest subsidy for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises, announced 20 January 2026 and applying to newl…
Shenzhen launches AI 'One Person Company' startup plan with compute and data vouchers
On 14 January 2026, Shenzhen's Bureau of Industry and Information Technology issued the AI 'OPC' (One Person Company) Entrepreneurship Ecosystem Action Plan (2026–2027), targeting…