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
Founder news on getting started.
265 updates tagged getting started.
IndiaAI Mission puts 38,000+ subsidised GPUs within reach of DPIIT startups
MeitY's official update (page last updated 16 September 2026) confirms that more than 38,000 GPUs for the common compute facility have been onboarded through the AI Compute Portal…
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…
Treasury opens $5B New Markets Tax Credit CY2026 round, apps due Nov 10
Treasury's CDFI Fund published its Notice of Allocation Availability on Sept 15, 2026, making $5 billion in New Markets Tax Credit authority available for the CY2026 round, authori…
Innovate UK opens Battery Innovation Programme Round 3 with up to GBP 25m
On 11 September 2026 Innovate UK opened Round 3 of the Battery Innovation Programme, offering a share of up to GBP 25 million across its Concept Development and Feasibility Studies…
Copenhagen's Seed Capital closes EUR 130M Fund V for Nordic seed to Series A
Seed Capital closed its EUR 130 million Fund V on September 11, 2026 to back Nordic startups from seed through Series A. The new fund expands one of the region's most active early-…
SBA's new 8(a) social-disadvantage test takes effect September 10, 2026
Effective Sept 10, 2026, the SBA eliminated the race-based rebuttable presumption of social disadvantage in the 8(a) Business Development Program and replaced it with a race-neutra…
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…
Innovate UK opens GBP 8.5m Engineering Biology R&D fund, closes 3 Nov 2026
Innovate UK opened Engineering Biology Collaborative R&D: Round 3 on 8 September 2026, offering a share of up to GBP 8.5 million for collaborative projects to develop and scale eng…
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…
NZ Active Investor Plus visa pipeline hits NZ$4.9b; Growth path stays NZ$5m
As of Immigration NZ's 4 September 2026 update, the revamped Active Investor Plus (AIP) visa has drawn 904 applications (467 approved) since the April 2025 changes, with about NZ$4…
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…
Auckland space startup Outlier Space raises NZ$10.5m pre-seed
Auckland orbital-manufacturing startup Outlier Space, founded by ex-Rocket Lab engineer Jamie France, announced on 3 September 2026 that it raised NZ$10.5 million (about US$7.35 mi…
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…
Sydney fintech Pearler raises $16M Series A led by Portage
Sydney investing platform Pearler closed a $16 million Series A on 3 September 2026, led by existing backer Portage with TEN13, Altered Capital, No Brand, Chris Cuffe's Partners Ho…
New Zealand's Outlier Space raises NZ$10.5M pre-seed for orbital manufacturing
Auckland-based Outlier Space announced a NZ$10.5 million (about US$7.35M) pre-seed on Sept 3, 2026, backed by GD1, Airtree, Side Stage Ventures, and Investible. The startup aims to…
Innovate UK opens GBP 12m advanced materials R&D fund, closes 28 Oct 2026
Innovate UK opened the National Materials Innovation Programme CR&D Round 1 on 1 September 2026, offering UK registered businesses a share of up to GBP 12 million for collaborative…
Simples Nacional firms get Sept 2026 window to choose hybrid IBS/CBS regime for 2027
On 1 September 2026 Receita Federal opened an exceptional window running 1-30 September 2026 for Simples Nacional companies to decide how they will collect the new IBS and CBS taxe…
Y Combinator Winter 2027 batch: apply by Nov 2, program runs Jan-Mar in SF
Applications for Y Combinator's Winter 2027 batch are due November 2, 2026 at 8pm PT, with decisions by December 11; the batch runs January to March 2027 in person at YC's San Fran…
Amber Grant: three $10,000 awards for women founders, Sept 30 deadline
WomensNet awards three $10,000 Amber Grants to women-owned businesses every month, and monthly winners compete for one of three $50,000 year-end grants. The current cycle's applica…
SF Tech Week returns October 5-11, 2026 with hundreds of a16z-backed sessions
SF Tech Week, presented by a16z, runs October 5-11, 2026, followed by LA Tech Week October 12-18. It is made up of hundreds of independently hosted sessions: some are free with RSV…
Antler residency applications close September 30, 2026 for pre-team founders
Antler is accepting free applications through September 30, 2026 for its global residency, which backs pre-team founders at the earliest possible stage across 30+ locations. Reside…
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,…
Texas StartUP Grant offers up to $10,000, applications close Sept 23
Texas Woman's University's StartUP Grant is accepting applications through 5:00 p.m. Central on September 23, 2026, awarding between $1,000 and $10,000. Eligible businesses must be…
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…
Sydney anti-scam AI startup Apate.AI raises A$11.4M seed
Sydney-founded Apate.AI raised A$11.4 million (about US$8.15 million) in a seed round announced 31 August 2026, led by Silicon Valley's Lobby Capital with OIF Ventures, Investible,…
IRAS EIS guide adds 400% tax deduction on AI spend for YA 2027 and 2028
IRAS published its updated Enterprise Innovation Scheme e-Tax Guide on 31 Aug 2026, formalising a Budget 2026 change that grants a 400% tax deduction on up to S$50,000 of qualifyin…
NZ R&D Career Grant reopens: up to NZ$35k to hire a PhD or Masters grad
New Zealand's R&D Career Grant, administered by MBIE Innovation Services, reopened for applications at 9am on Monday 31 August 2026. It funds six months of full-time salary (minimu…
NZ R&D Career Grant reopens: up to NZ$35,000 to hire a masters or PhD grad
The R&D Career Grant, now run by Innovation Services (MBIE) after Callaghan Innovation's disestablishment, reopened for its 2026/27 round on 31 August 2026. It funds a NZ business…
S-Transistors raises 2.6M euro pre-seed for superconducting quantum control chips
Finland-based S-Transistors (Espoo) raised a 2.6M euro pre-seed round on Aug 31, 2026, led by Lifeline Ventures with an angel investor. The company builds superconducting transisto…
Andreessen Horowitz raises $1.1B 'Machine Age' fund for hardware and robotics
On Aug 28, 2026 a16z announced a $1.1 billion 'Machine Age' fund targeting hardware infrastructure: processors, memory, networking, storage and robotics. It signals a large pool of…
Anthropic opens free Claude for Teachers to US K-12 schools and districts
On Aug 28, 2026, Anthropic made Claude for Teachers available to US K-12 schools and districts as a free Enterprise offering with SSO, role-based controls, and standards-aligned te…
Vinnova's Innovativa Startups 2026 grant raised to max SEK 500,000, opens Oct 12
Vinnova's revamped Innovativa Startups 2026 call offers grants of up to SEK 500,000 (up from SEK 300,000 in the 2025 Phase 1) to test customer needs, business concept and willingne…
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,…
Proptech seed rounds swell to $6.3M average in 2026
The average proptech seed round rose to $6.3M in 2026 (up from $3.6M in 2022), with more than half now $5M or larger, per MetaProp tracking cited by Commercial Observer on Aug 25,…
Blackbird raises AUD $1.05 billion for the largest ANZ venture fund
On 25 August 2026 Blackbird closed its sixth fund at AUD $1.05 billion, the largest VC raise in Australia and New Zealand, lifting total assets under management above AUD $12.5 bil…
Startup Summit 2026 runs Aug 26-28 in Florianopolis with 250 funds
Startup Summit 2026, Brazil's largest startup event organized by Sebrae Startups and ACATE, runs Aug 26-28, 2026 at CentroSul in Florianopolis (SC), drawing about 10,000 people, 1,…
Innovate UK opens £3m UK-Singapore R&D grant round, closes 16 Dec 2026
Innovate UK opened the UK-Singapore Collaborative R&D 2026 competition on 24 August 2026, sharing up to £3 million among business-led projects, with individual UK grants of £100,00…
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…
China lifts SME loan interest-subsidy cap to 75M yuan, quadruples participating banks
In a notice issued August 21, 2026 (effective August 1, 2026), China's Ministry of Finance, PBOC and National Financial Regulatory Administration raised the per-borrower loan cap u…
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 biggest small-business size-standard overhaul in decades
On Aug 20, 2026 the SBA published two proposed rules that would consolidate size standards from roughly 1,000 categories to 338 at the 4-5 digit NAICS level, raise most thresholds,…
SBA proposes to reclassify 114,000+ firms as small under new size standards
On August 20, 2026 the SBA published proposed rules that would consolidate nearly 1,000 industry size standards down to 338 and raise many thresholds, some for professional service…
Receita Federal: window to opt into Simples Nacional moves to Sept 2026
In an official note published on August 19, 2026, Receita Federal confirmed that under Resolução CGSN nº 186/2026 the enrollment window for the Simples Nacional tax regime has shif…
$20,000 instant asset write-off made permanent from 1 July 2026
Parliament passed the Treasury Laws Amendment (Tax Reform No. 2) Bill 2026 in August 2026, permanently extending the $20,000 instant asset write-off from 1 July 2026. Up to 4.1 mil…
Simples Nacional 2027 opt-in moves to September 2026, not January
Receita Federal confirmed (news published 19 August 2026) that under Resolution CGSN No. 186 any company wanting to be taxed under Simples Nacional in 2027 must file its opt-in req…
NZ R&D Experience Grant funds a 10-week intern (up to $11,960+GST); closes 24 Aug 2026
Innovation Services (MBIE, post-Callaghan) is running an open round of the R&D Experience Grant that pays up to $11,960 plus GST for up to 400 hours (10 weeks, min 30 hrs/week) of…
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…
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'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…
Simples Nacional firms must choose IBS/CBS hybrid vs unified model in Sept 2026
Sebrae is urging Simples Nacional small businesses to decide, between September 1-30, 2026, whether to keep the new IBS and CBS taxes inside the unified DAS payment (integral model…
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…
Startup Summit 2026 lands in Florianopolis Aug 26-28 with 250 VC funds
Sebrae and ACATE hold Startup Summit 2026 at CentroSul in Florianopolis on Aug 26-28, expecting 10,000+ attendees, ~200 speakers across 17 tracks, ~1,000 startups and ~250 investme…
FinCEN permanently ends beneficial-ownership reporting for US companies and persons
On Aug 11, 2026, FinCEN issued a final rule permanently removing the Corporate Transparency Act beneficial-ownership (BOI) reporting requirement for US-formed companies and US pers…
FinCEN permanently ends beneficial-ownership (BOI) reporting for US companies
On Aug 11, 2026 FinCEN issued a final rule permanently removing the Corporate Transparency Act requirement for US companies and US persons to file beneficial-ownership information,…
Vinnova opens Innovative Startups 2026 grant: up to SEK 500,000
Vinnova's Innovative Startups 2026 call runs from 12 October 2026 to 12 January 2027 (14:00), offering grants up to SEK 500,000 to knowledge-intensive startups. Eligible firms are…
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…
Global Talent visa opened to 100+ UK firms to sponsor researchers (6 Aug 2026)
On 6 August 2026 the UK government expanded the Global Talent visa so that, for the first time, over 100 approved research-intensive businesses (not just universities) can support…
IRS expands Business Tax Account: digital notices, payments and account access online
On Aug 6, 2026 the IRS announced new and expanded features for its Business Tax Account (BTA), letting eligible businesses view digital notices, make payments, and access and manag…
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…
Innovate UK awards 61 women founders £75,000 grants in record 2026 cohort
On 5 August 2026 Innovate UK named its largest-ever Women in Innovation cohort: 61 award winners each receive a £75,000 grant plus 12 months of tailored business support, with 39 h…
Australia cuts National Innovation Visa to 3,500 places for 2026-27
Australia's 2026-27 migration year allocates 3,500 places to the invitation-only National Innovation Visa (subclass 858), down from a combined 5,300 across the two prior years. In…
ASIC launches free Small Business Director Essentials hub for founders
In media release 26-181MR (August 2026), ASIC launched the Small Business Director Essentials hub, a free digital resource with a director roadmap, obligation guidance, and online…
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…
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…
Nucleate Activator: equity-free biotech program, US apps due Oct 21, 2026
Nucleate's Activator is a free, equity-free program for academic life-science founders spinning technology out of university labs; the US-chapter application deadline for the 2026-…
Crucible Accelerator Fall 2026: no-equity defense dual-use program
The Crucible Accelerator (Inland Empire Tech Bridge, powered by FedTech) runs an 8-week virtual Fall 2026 cohort from October to December for 12 defense and dual-use startups, taki…
UK opens GBP 20m farm automation and robotics R&D fund, closes 30 Sep 2026
Defra and Innovate UK opened Round 2 of the Farming Futures Automation and Robotics competition on 3 August 2026, offering a share of up to GBP 20 million. Projects must be collabo…
China issues new Exit-Entry Administration rules, effective Sept 15, 2026
On July 31, 2026, China's State Council issued new Regulations on Exit and Entry Administration that take effect September 15, 2026. Foreign nationals who submit false materials in…
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…
China's innovation & manufacturing tax breaks hit RMB 1.91 trillion in H1 2026
China's State Taxation Administration reported on July 29, 2026 that tax and fee cuts plus refunds under policies backing sci-tech innovation and manufacturing reached 1.91 trillio…
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…
Singapore raises EFS Working Capital Loan risk-share to 70% from 1 Sep 2026
The Ministry of Finance announced on 29 July 2026 that the Enterprise Financing Scheme (EFS) SME Working Capital Loan and Project Loan will be enhanced from 1 September 2026 to 31…
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…
China's NMPA cuts cosmetics registration burden, drops overseas-sales proof
In Announcement No. 70 of 2026, effective on its July 29, 2026 publication date, China's National Medical Products Administration lets brands launching first (or simultaneously) in…
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…
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…
China cuts data-compliance load for small processors, effective Sept 1, 2026
The CAC and Ministry of Public Security jointly issued the Simplified Personal Information Protection Measures for Small-Scale Processors, published July 24, 2026 and effective Sep…
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…
US coworking inventory hits 9,384 locations, up 248 in Q2 2026
US flex-office inventory reached 9,384 locations by the end of Q2 2026, a net gain of 248 spaces (up 2.7%) from 9,136 the prior quarter, per CoworkingCafe's national report publish…
US coworking hits 9,384 locations; median membership now $219/month
CoworkingCafe's Q2 2026 report (published Jul 23, 2026) counts 9,384 US coworking spaces across 166.36M sq ft, up 2.7% in locations and 1.5% in square footage quarter-over-quarter,…
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…
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…
China eases data-privacy compliance for small processors under 100,000 users
On 22 July 2026 the Cyberspace Administration of China and the Ministry of Public Security released Simplified Measures for 'small processors' that handle the personal information…
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…
Y Combinator: 4 batches/year, $500K standard deal, check for the next open batch
ARTICLE (founderbriefs) Y Combinator runs four batches a year (Winter, Spring, Summer, and Fall). Its standard deal is $500,000 plus an approximately three month in person program…
Antler pre-team founder program applications close September 30, 2026
Antler's US residency programs in Austin, New York City, and San Francisco review applications year-round. Antler specializes in pre-team, pre-seed founders, helping individuals fi…
Startup Boston Week returns Sept 14-18 with 100+ free founder sessions
Startup Boston Week runs Sept 14-18, 2026, with 100+ free panels, workshops and networking events—Monday-Wednesday at Boston University and Thursday-Friday in Downtown Crossing. Re…
Federal Industry Growth Program paused — no new startup grant applications
The Industry Growth Program — offering free advisory support plus early-stage commercialisation grants of $50,000–$250,000 and commercialisation/growth grants up to $5 million — ha…
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…
China's first AI companion rules take effect, curbing addiction and barring minors
On July 16, 2026, China's Cyberspace Administration (CAC) and four other agencies enacted the country's first dedicated rules for AI companion services. Providers must show a usage…
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…
NSW MVP Ventures awards $1M to 22 startups; grants up to $75,000
The NSW Government's revamped MVP Ventures Program awarded $1 million across 22 startups (from 322 applications), with individual grants ranging from $24,225 to $75,000. The progra…
US office vacancy eases to 17.7% in June 2026 as conversions accelerate
CommercialCafe's national office report (July 2026) put the US office vacancy rate at 17.7% in June, down 170 basis points year-over-year, with average asking rent of $33.67/sq ft…
Techstars Founder Catalyst Fall 2026: free, equity-free virtual pre-accelerator
Techstars is running its Founder Catalyst Global Fall 2026 pre-accelerator, a 10-week, fully virtual, non-equity and free program from Sept 22 to Nov 27, 2026. Applications close A…
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…
Y Combinator opens Winter 2027 batch applications, deadline Nov 2
Y Combinator is accepting applications for its Winter 2027 batch, with a deadline of November 2, 2026 at 8pm PT and decisions returned by December 11, 2026. The batch runs January…
Missouri enacts Angel Investor Tax Credit: 40% (50% rural) on startup investments
Gov. Mike Kehoe signed Missouri's Angel Investor Tax Credit into law on July 13, 2026. For tax years starting Jan 1, 2027, investors earn a credit worth 40% of a qualified investme…
NZ R&D Experience Grant open now, closes 9am Mon 24 Aug 2026
Applications for MBIE Innovation Services' R&D Experience Grant opened 13 July 2026 and close at 9am Monday 24 August 2026 (or earlier if funding runs out); it subsidises hiring a…
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…
NZ R&D Experience Grant: up to NZ$11,960 to hire a STEM student intern
Innovation Services (administered by MBIE) funds up to NZ$11,960 plus GST for a 400-hour, 10-week full-time student R&D internship at a minimum NZ$29.90/hour. The 2026/27 round ope…
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) 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 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…
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…
NZ eases Business Investor Work Visa: franchises, NZ entities, gifted capital
On 6 July 2026, Immigration New Zealand widened the Business Investor Work Visa: applicants can now invest in eligible franchise businesses, purchase a business through a New Zeala…
NZ eases Business Investor Work Visa: franchises and gifted capital now allowed
From 6 July 2026, Immigration New Zealand made three rule changes to the Business Investor Work Visa: applicants can now invest in qualifying franchise businesses, purchase a busin…
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…
China unveils draft E-Commerce Law overhaul: 20 articles, feedback open to Aug 4
On July 4, 2026, the State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) and the Ministry of Commerce jointly released a 20-article draft amendment to China's E-Commerce Law for publ…
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…
From July 1, 2026 Skatteverket can deny or revoke VAT registration
Effective July 1, 2026, Sweden's Tax Agency (Skatteverket) gained four new anti-fraud powers: it can require in-person identity checks during VAT registration, deny or cancel a VAT…
Florida's Protected Series LLC law takes effect July 1, 2026
Under CS/SB 316 (signed June 20, 2025, effective July 1, 2026), a single Florida parent LLC can create multiple protected "series," each holding its own assets and liabilities shie…
Pernambuco opens R$3M govtech grant: up to R$100k per startup, apply by Aug 17
On July 1, 2026, Pernambuco's Secti-PE and FACEPE launched Edital nº 23/2026 'Inovação Aberta para Desafios Digitais,' selecting 30 micro and small tech-based companies (especially…
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…
New Swedish anti-VAT-fraud rules from July 1, 2026: registration can be denied or voided
From July 1, 2026, Skatteverket can deny or revoke a company's VAT registration where there is a risk of tax evasion, require in-person identity verification for some VAT applicati…
Sweden arms Skatteverket to deny or revoke VAT registration from July 1, 2026
Under Prop. 2025/26:128 (Atgarder mot mervardesskattebedragerier), rules in force since July 1, 2026 let Skatteverket run tighter checks at VAT registration, deny or deregister a c…
DataTribe Challenge: cyber startups apply by Sept 11 for $25K
Applications for DataTribe's annual Cybersecurity Startup Challenge are open with a September 11, 2026 deadline; five seed/pre-seed finalists compete live October 26-27 at The Capi…
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…
From July 1, 2026 Skatteverket gains new powers over VAT registration
From July 1, 2026, Sweden's Tax Agency (Skatteverket) gains expanded authority when a company registers for VAT (moms): it can require the owner to appear at a tax office to identi…
Govt bill PLP 186/2026 would raise MEI revenue ceiling to R$140k, allow 2 staff
On June 29-30, 2026, Brazil's federal Executive sent Congress bill PLP 186/2026, which would raise the MEI (Microempreendedor Individual) annual revenue ceiling from the current R$…
Canada pauses Start-Up Visa program; final PR applications closed June 30, 2026
IRCC announced on December 19, 2025 that the federal Start-Up Visa (SUV) program is paused: it stopped accepting new commitment certificates after December 31, 2025, and applicants…
China passes revised Trademark Law, effective Jan 1, 2027
On June 26, 2026, the NPC Standing Committee passed China's revised Trademark Law, taking effect January 1, 2027. It bars applications lacking genuine intent to use, penalizes bad-…
China's revised Trademark Law adopted, takes effect Jan 1, 2027
China's National People's Congress adopted the revised Trademark Law on June 26, 2026, effective January 1, 2027. It cracks down on bad-faith and squatting filings: applications fi…
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…
China caps electronic IOU maturity at 6 months to stop late payments to SMEs
Effective July 1, 2026, China caps the maturity of electronic IOUs (commercial bills / supply-chain payment instruments) at six months, barring large corporates and government bodi…
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…
Australia unveils 50% CGT discount for startup founders, employees and early investors
In its 18 June 2026 tax-reform package, the Albanese Government proposed a new 'Innovative Business' CGT concession giving founders, employee share scheme participants and early-st…
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…
Sweden's overhauled competition rules take effect Aug 1, 2026; Konkurrensverket gains proactive powers
From 1 August 2026, Sweden's amended Competition Act and a new Public Sales Activities law (Lagen om offentlig säljverksamhet, LOS) take effect. Konkurrensverket can now open inves…
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…
NZ Budget 2026 doubles FIF de minimis to $100k, eases offshore-share tax for founders
In Budget 2026 (announced 5 June 2026), the Government doubled the Foreign Investment Fund (FIF) de minimis threshold from NZD 50,000 to NZD 100,000 for the first time since 2000,…
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…
TELUS #StandWithOwners 2026 grants open: 3x$125K prizes, Sept 2 deadline
TELUS relaunched its StandWithOwners contest on June 2, 2026, offering three Grand Prize awards of $125,000 each (in funding, technology and exposure, backed by Samsung, Scotiabank…
Vinnova opens Test & Demo grant for SMEs: up to SEK 1M, deadline Sept 8 2026
Vinnova's 'Test & Demo for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises 2026' call opened 2 June 2026 and closes 8 September 2026 at 14:00. It funds up to 70% of eligible costs to a maximum…
NZ R&D Career Grant reopens 31 Aug 2026: up to $35k to hire a graduate
New Zealand's R&D Career Grant, administered by Innovation Services (MBIE), reopens for applications at 9am on Monday 31 August 2026. It co-funds hiring a recent graduate into a 6-…
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…
New Sweden work permit rules in force: 90% median salary floor for foreign hires
From 1 June 2026, first-time work permit applicants in Sweden must earn at least 90% of the national median salary (a minimum of about SEK 34,470/month), up from the previous 80% l…
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…
Budget 2026 slashes RDTI internal-software cap from $25m to $3m, adds in-year payments
Budget 2026 (delivered 28 May 2026) cuts the R&D Tax Incentive cap on non-administrative internal software from $25 million to $3 million per year, saving the Crown about $87 milli…
NZ doubles FIF de minimis threshold to NZ$100,000 from 2026-27 tax year
Budget 2026 (announced 28 May 2026) doubles the Foreign Investment Fund (FIF) de minimis threshold from NZ$50,000 to NZ$100,000 of cost in offshore shares. The change takes effect…
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…
Connecticut opens its R&D tax credit to pass-through startups, not just C-corps
A budget bill Gov. Lamont signed May 26, 2026 extends Connecticut's R&D tax credit to all entity types—LLCs, S-corps and partnerships—for tax years starting on or after Jan 1, 2026…
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…
NZ Active Investor Plus visa Growth category adds 20% philanthropy option from 1 June 2026
From 1 June 2026, new applicants in the Active Investor Plus (AIP) visa Growth category can direct up to 20% of their total investment (up to NZD $1m of the NZD $5m minimum) to eli…
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…
US coworking footprint hits 164M sq ft, up 16.5% YoY as flex space grows
The US coworking sector's total footprint expanded 16.5% year-over-year as of March 2026, reaching 164 million square feet nationally and 2.3% of total office inventory. Growth cam…
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…
Delaware raises business filing fees under HB 400, effective Aug 1, 2026
Delaware HB 400 (signed May 21, 2026) raised Division of Corporations filing fees effective Aug 1, 2026: foreign corporation annual reports now $250, banking/preclearance $350, ele…
2026-27 Budget overhauls R&D Tax Incentive: refundable offset cap lifts to $50M
In the 2026-27 Federal Budget the Australian Government announced changes to the R&D Tax Incentive (R&DTI), confirmed on business.gov.au, that take effect from 1 July 2028. The ref…
Australia reintroduces company loss carry-back from 2026-27: refund tax paid in prior 2 years
The 2026-27 Federal Budget (handed down 12 May 2026) reintroduces loss carry-back: from the 2026-27 income year, companies with turnover up to $1 billion that make a tax loss can c…
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…
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…
DPIIT releases Tax Playbook consolidating all startup tax benefits into one guide
In May 2026 DPIIT published a 'Tax Playbook for the Startup Ecosystem' on startupindia.gov.in, pulling every startup tax break into one guide as India's recognised startup base cro…
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…
Singapore CALA 2025 in force: director-duty fines quadruple to S$20,000
Key provisions of Singapore's Corporate and Accounting Laws (Amendment) Act 2025 (CALA) took effect on 6 May 2026. The maximum fine for directors who breach their duties rose from…
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 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…
SBIR and STTR extended through 2031, up to $2.15M non-dilutive per project
The Small Business Innovation and Economic Security Act, signed April 13, 2026, reauthorized the SBIR and STTR programs through September 30, 2031. The programs distribute over $4…
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…
Budget 2026 gives Singapore companies a 50% CIT rebate plus S$2,000 cash grant
Budget 2026: 50% CIT Rebate and S$2,000 Cash Grant The enhanced Budget 2026 support announced on 7 April 2026 provides a 50% corporate income tax rebate for YA 2026 and a S$2,000 c…
EIS and VCT company limits doubled: £24m lifetime, £10m a year from 6 April 2026
From 6 April 2026 the EIS and VCT lifetime company investment limit doubled to £24m and the annual limit rose to £10m, with the gross assets test lifted to £30m before a share issu…
FINEP opens R$300M non-reimbursable grant for AI, robotics, quantum startups
FINEP's 'Mais Inovacao Brasil - Tecnologias Digitais' call offers R$300 million in economic subsidy (non-reimbursable, no repayment) to Brazilian companies developing AI, advanced…
UK EMI share option limits expanded from 6 April 2026: up to 500 staff, £120m assets
From 6 April 2026, the UK's Enterprise Management Incentives (EMI) tax-advantaged share scheme qualifying limits were widened: companies can now have up to 500 full-time-equivalent…
UK Start Up Loans: rate rises to 7.5%, eligibility extended to 5 years trading
From 6 April 2026 the British Business Bank's government-backed Start Up Loans scheme raised its fixed interest rate to 7.5% (up from the 6% set at launch in 2012). Eligibility was…
UK expands EMI share-option scheme: 500 staff, £120m assets, £6m cap from Apr 2026
From 6 April 2026, HMRC's Enterprise Management Incentives (EMI) rules loosened significantly: the employee cap rose from 250 to under 500 full-time-equivalent staff, the gross-ass…
Making Tax Digital for Income Tax now mandatory for sole traders over GBP 50,000
From 6 April 2026, Making Tax Digital (MTD) for Income Tax is mandatory for sole traders and landlords whose combined gross income from self-employment and property exceeds GBP 50,…
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),…
Making Tax Digital for Income Tax now mandatory over GBP 50,000 from April 2026
From 6 April 2026, sole traders and landlords with qualifying self-employment or property income over GBP 50,000 must keep digital records and send quarterly updates to HMRC using…
From 1 Apr 2026 all voluntary GST registrants must adopt InvoiceNow e-invoicing
From 1 April 2026, every business applying for voluntary GST registration in Singapore must be on the InvoiceNow (Peppol) e-invoicing network before IRAS will approve the registrat…
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…
Canada expands SR&ED: 35% credit now covers up to $6M in R&D spend
Bill C-15 (Royal Assent March 26, 2026) doubled the enhanced-rate SR&ED expenditure limit from $3M to $6M, keeping the 35% refundable investment tax credit and raising the taxable-…
Canada doubles SR&ED enhanced ITC limit to $6M; 35% refund reaches more startups
Bill C-15 received Royal Assent on 26 March 2026, raising the maximum annual expenditure limit for the enhanced 35% refundable SR&ED investment tax credit from $3 million to $6 mil…
Finep opens 13 calls worth R$3.3bn for company innovation under Nova Indústria Brasil
In 2026 Finep opened 13 public calls totalling R$3.3 billion to fund innovation projects aligned with the Nova Indústria Brasil strategy, presented at a Goiânia event on 17 March 2…
Singapore's EIS adds AI expenditure: 400% tax deduction on up to S$50k
Budget 2026 added qualifying AI expenditure as a new category under the Enterprise Innovation Scheme (EIS): companies can claim a 400% tax deduction on up to S$50,000 of qualifying…
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 closes Tech.Pass to new applications from 28 Jan 2027, ONE Pass to replace it
EDB's official Tech.Pass page states it will no longer accept new or renewal Tech.Pass applications from 28 January 2027 (last submission 27 Jan 2027, 2359h). A new ONE Pass (AI an…
JTC's LaunchPad masterplan adds Kampong AI, a live-work precinct for AI startups
On 2 March 2026 JTC unveiled a refreshed masterplan for LaunchPad @ one-north, headlined by Kampong AI — Singapore's first integrated startup community pairing ~14,500 sqm of busin…
Vinnova FFI Accelerated Startup Partnership: up to SEK 750k, Sept 16 deadline
Vinnova's FFI Accelerated Startup Partnership (ASP) 2026 funds collaborative projects between knowledge-intensive startups and established road-transport players, with a total budg…
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…
Vinnova FFI Accelerated Startup Partnership: up to SEK 750,000, next deadline Sep 16 2026
Vinnova's FFI Accelerated Startup Partnership 2026 funds innovation collaborations between startups and established need-owners in sustainable road transport (circularity, transpor…
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…
Startup SG Equity gets S$1b top up, now covers growth stage deep tech
EnterpriseSG confirmed a S$1 billion top-up to the Startup SG Equity scheme, announced at Budget 2026 and the MTI Committee of Supply Debate. For the first time the government co-i…
FINEP has 3+ open non-refundable grant calls, several closing Aug 31, 2026
FINEP's Mais Inovação Brasil program has over R$1.6 billion in open 'subvenção econômica' (non-reimbursable grants) for 2026, including Energy Transition (R$500M), Health (R$300M)…
Singapore to launch EDGE grant in H2 2026, merging EDG, PSG and MRA
Announced in Budget 2026 (delivered 12 Feb 2026), EnterpriseSG will consolidate the Enterprise Development Grant (EDG), Productivity Solutions Grant (PSG) and Market Readiness Assi…
Qatar launches 10-year golden visa pathways for entrepreneurs and executives
Qatar unveiled two new long-term residency pathways—one for entrepreneurs and one for executives—offering five-year permits renewable up to 10 years without a real-estate investmen…
DPIIT revamps startup recognition: new Deep Tech category, 20-year window
On 5 February 2026 DPIIT revised its startup recognition framework, raising the general turnover ceiling from Rs 100 crore to Rs 200 crore and creating a dedicated Deep Tech Startu…
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…
DPIIT redefines startups: turnover cap doubled to Rs 200 crore, new deep tech class
DPIIT Gazette Notification G.S.R. 108(E) dated 4 February 2026 supersedes the 2019 framework, raising the annual turnover ceiling for recognised startups from Rs 100 crore to Rs 20…
SBA rewrite bars green-card holders from 7(a)/504 loans, drops credit-score prescreen
SBA's revised SOP 50 10 8, effective March 1, 2026, requires 100% of a borrower's direct and indirect owners to be US citizens or nationals residing in the US—excluding lawful perm…
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 new VAT Law makes RMB 100k/month sales tax exemption permanent for small firms
Under China's new VAT Law effective January 1, 2026 (implemented via MOF/State Taxation Administration Announcement 2026 No. 10, issued January 30, 2026), small-scale taxpayers wit…
Greece adds startup investment route to Golden Visa from EUR 250,000
Greece has operationalized a new Golden Visa pathway granting five-year residency to non-EU investors who put at least EUR 250,000 into a startup registered on the Elevate Greece n…
International Entrepreneur Rule 2026: $311K investment bar, new parole fee
The International Entrepreneur Rule remains active for 2026, letting qualifying foreign founders with at least a 10% stake obtain up to 30 months of parole (extendable to five year…
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…
QBI pass-through deduction made permanent at 20% with new $400 minimum for 2026
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act makes the 20% qualified business income (QBI) deduction permanent starting in 2026, ending its scheduled 2025 expiration. It also widens the phase-ou…
New $400 minimum QBI deduction guaranteed for small businesses in 2026
Starting in 2026, OBBBA guarantees a minimum Qualified Business Income deduction of $400 to any taxpayer with at least $1,000 of QBI, even if the standard calculation would otherwi…
Most US small businesses now exempt from Corporate Transparency Act BOI filing
In March 2025 FinCEN flipped the Corporate Transparency Act rules: entities formerly treated as "domestic reporting companies" are exempt from beneficial ownership information (BOI…
Employer childcare tax credit jumps to 40% of costs, capped at $500,000 for 2026
Effective January 1, 2026, OBBBA raises the employer-provided childcare credit from 25% to 40% of eligible costs and lifts the annual cap from $150,000 to $500,000. Qualifying smal…
OBBBA raises the QBI pass-through deduction to 23% for 2026
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act made the Qualified Business Income (QBI) deduction permanent and raised it from 20% to 23% for tax years beginning after Dec 31, 2025. It also guaran…
Sweden's new 3:12 rules for closely held companies take effect Jan 1, 2026
From 1 January 2026 the 3:12 rules for owners of Swedish famansforetag are reformed (SFS 2025:1361). A single unified grundbelopp of SEK 322,400 (4x inkomstbasbelopp) replaces the…
IRS standard mileage rate rises to 72.5 cents per mile for 2026
The IRS standard mileage rate for business use increases to 72.5 cents per mile in 2026, up from 70 cents in 2025. The rate is used to deduct the cost of operating a vehicle for bu…
Canada pauses Start-Up Visa intake Jan 1, 2026; new targeted pilot coming
As of January 1, 2026, IRCC no longer accepts new applications under the Start-Up Visa (SUV) and Self-Employed Persons programs, and new optional SUV work permits are halted immedi…
Canada closes Start-Up Visa to new applicants; high-impact pilot due 2026
In a December 19, 2025 notice, IRCC stopped accepting new Start-Up Visa (SUV) applications as of 11:59 p.m. on December 31, 2025, except for applicants holding a valid 2025 commitm…
Canada pauses Start-Up Visa; new applications closed as of Dec 31, 2025
In a December 19, 2025 notice, IRCC announced it stopped accepting Start-Up Visa (SUV) applications at 11:59 p.m. on December 31, 2025, with a narrow exception for applicants holdi…
Sweden's new 3:12 rules take effect Jan 1, 2026 with SEK 322,400 base allowance
From 1 January 2026, Sweden's reformed 3:12 rules for closely held companies replace the old simplified/main-rule split with one unified model. The low-taxed dividend allowance (ta…
US coworking hits ~8,420 locations and 152M sq ft heading into 2026
The US now has roughly 8,420 coworking locations (up from about 7,041 in mid-2024) totaling around 152 million sq ft, still only about 2% of national office inventory. Median membe…
Companies House director ID verification now mandatory ahead of Nov 2026 deadline
Identity verification at Companies House became a legal requirement on 18 November 2025 for all new directors and Persons with Significant Control (PSCs). Existing directors and PS…
Companies House ID verification now law; directors must verify by Nov 2026
From 18 November 2025, identity verification at Companies House became a legal requirement, starting a 12-month transition period. All existing company directors and people with si…
UK directors must verify identity at Companies House by 18 November 2026
Identity verification became a legal requirement on 18 November 2025 for new incorporations and director/PSC appointments. Existing directors and persons with significant control h…
International Entrepreneur Rule now needs $311,071 investment plus a $1,000 fee
Under the International Entrepreneur Rule in 2026, foreign founders need at least $311,071 in qualified U.S. investor funding (or $124,429 in government grants) and a 10% ownership…
SEBI angel funds must onboard only accredited investors by Sept 8, 2026
Under SEBI's revised AIF framework, angel funds registered before September 10, 2025 have until September 8, 2026 to onboard only Accredited Investors, and may keep at most 200 non…