Small Business Grant

Grant program to help small businesses access funding and grow in Virginia Beach.

The Small Business Grant is part of the Economic Development Investment Program (EDIP) Part F and is designed to expand access to funding for small businesses in Virginia Beach.

The program seeks to increase access to funding for historically underserved and marginalized small businesses through the use of grants to qualifying businesses. Small, women-, minority-owned, veteran-, and service-disabled veteran-owned businesses, as such terms are defined in Virginia Code § 2.2-4310, are a diverse mix of start-ups and emerging businesses.

Eligibility Criteria

To qualify, a business must be able to demonstrate the following:

It is a micro-business as contemplated by §15.2-965.2 of the Code of Virginia, or is a service-disabled veteran business with fewer than twenty-five (25) employees.
It holds a valid Virginia Beach business license.
It has operated in the City for at least one year as evidenced by tax returns or other documentation acceptable to the Authority.
It is current on the payment of all local taxes and fees.
It has not received any other grant from the City of Virginia Beach Development Authority (VBDA) or the City within the past year (12 months).
Does not employ an officer, official or employee of the City of Virginia Beach, VBDA, and the Minority Business Council.

Size of Grants

Grants shall be up to a maximum of $10,000 per approved business.

Grant Steps

Attend Workshop

To apply for the Grant, a business must attend a pre-application workshop virtually or in person.

Gather Required Information

See the Additional Resources section below.

Complete Application

A link to the application portal will be provided to the workshop attendees.

Application Review/Selection

All completed applications will be reviewed and scored by the Selection Committee.

Grant Payouts

Once approved, Grants shall be paid on a reimbursement basis with written documentation.

Application Process

To apply for the Grant, a business must attend a pre-application workshop held at The HIVE either in-person or virtually, and submit (i) an application and (ii) a Disclosure Statement Form to confirm the following:

The business meets the eligibility criteria outlined above.
Provide documentation to confirm one year of operation in the City.
Provide a current business plan or strategic plan.
Identify the proposed use of the grant funds.
A SWaM or service-disabled veteran-owned business, provide documentation to that effect.
Commit to attending at least six business counseling sessions at The HIVE if awarded a Grant.

Applications will be accepted in thirty-day cycles while funding is available. The first cycle will commence Oct. 1, 2026, and close by the end of the business day Oct. 30, 2026. Thereafter, VBDA will give at least ten (10) days’ notice before it opens the next cycle.

Please note the following:

First-Come, First-Served: Applications will be date-stamped and reviewed in the order they are received.
Unqualified Applications: These will be rejected outright.
Incomplete Applications: These will not be reviewed. Applicants will be notified of missing information within one business day and may resubmit an application.
Resubmission Consequence: If an application is resubmitted, it will lose its original place in line and will be treated as a new submission, thus moving to the back of the queue.

How to Apply

To apply for the Grant, a business must attend a pre-application workshop virtually or in person.

Reach out to our staff to learn more about the incentive program - what's eligible, what's not, and how to apply.

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Additional Resources

Required Documentation

Current business license
Business or Strategic Plan
Articles of Incorporation or Articles of Organization
Profit & Loss Statement or other documentation (e.g., tax return) showing operation for at least one year
SWaM certification (if applicable)

Pre-Application Workshops

All Sessions Are Hybrid

Dates	Times
Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2026	10 a.m. to noon 6-8 p.m.
Monday, Sept. 14, 2026	10 a.m. to noon 6-8 p.m.
Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2026	10 a.m. to noon 6-8 p.m.
Monday, Sept. 28, 2026	10 a.m. to noon 6-8 p.m.

In-Person Location

The HIVE - Business Resource Center

140 Independence Blvd., Virginia Beach

Free parking is provided in the Red Parking Deck (Use the Market Street entrance)

Selection Process

All completed applications will be reviewed and scored by the Selection Committee. Additional points will be awarded to applications from businesses that are women, minority, service-disabled veteran or veteran-owned, submittal of a credit report, and businesses in operation more than one year. The Selection Committee shall evaluate the proposed use of funds, and how the provision of the grant will promote the continued operation and/or expansion of the business in the City.

Use of Funds

A business may seek reimbursement pursuant to this Part F for the following purposes:

Working capital for the purchase of inventory or renewables
Marketing and advertising expenses
Development of online or mobile presence
Equipment/supplies purchases
Business expansion
Real estate acquisition
Such other business development purposes are identified by the business and approved by the VBDA in its resolution.

Note: A business may not seek reimbursement for payroll, insurance, salaries, lease payments, or personal expenses.

Grant Payouts

Once approved, Grants shall be paid on a reimbursement basis with written documentation acceptable to the Director of Economic Development. In some cases, and at the discretion of the Director of Economic Development, a Grant may be prepaid for an allowable use.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the intent of the grant?

The Small Business Grant is designed to increase access to funding for historically underserved and marginalized small businesses in Virginia Beach, focusing on women, minority-owned, veteran, and service-disabled veteran-owned businesses.

How does a business qualify for the grant?

It is a micro-business, veteran-owned or service-disabled veteran business with fewer than twenty-five employees
It holds a valid Virginia Beach business license
It has operated in the City for at least one year as evidenced by tax returns or other documentation acceptable to the Virginia Beach Development Authority (the “VBDA”)
It is current on the payment of all local taxes and fees
It has not received any other grant from the VBDA or the City within the past year (12 months)
It does not employ an officer, official or employee of the City of Virginia Beach

What are businesses or organizations that do not qualify?

Not-for-profit entities, chains with more than three locations, national franchises, and adult-themed establishments will not be considered for Grants.

What are the size of the grants and what is the total amount of funding?

Each grant will be up to $10,000 per approved business. The 2^nd round of allocated funding for this program is $150,000.

What can the funds be used for?

Working capital for the purchase of inventory or renewables
Marketing and advertising expenses
Development of online or mobile presence
Equipment/supplies purchases
Business expansion
Real estate acquisition
Such other business development purposes identified by the business and approved by the Authority in its Resolution.

What expenses are not allowed under the grant?

Payroll
Insurance
Salaries
Lease payments
Personal expenses

How do businesses apply?

To apply for the Grant, a business must attend a pre-application workshop from the Virginia Beach HIVE (the “HIVE”) in person or virtually. All sessions are hybrid. The virtual link will be sent out to those who are registered the day before.

The schedule for the pre-application workshops is as follows:

Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2026: 10 a.m. – Noon and 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Monday, Sept. 14, 2026: 10 a.m. – Noon and 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2026: 10 a.m. – Noon and 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Monday, Sept. 29, 2026: 10 a.m. – Noon and 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.

The Virginia Beach HIVE Business Resource Center

140 Independence Blvd.

Virginia Beach, Virginia 23462

Free parking is provided in the Red Parking Deck (Use the Market Street entrance)

The link to the application will be emailed to the workshop attendees on October 1, 2026. Applicants will submit (i) an application and (ii) a Disclosure Statement Form to confirm the following:

The business meets the criteria outlined in the previous section
Documentation to confirm one year or more of operation in the City of Virginia Beach
Provide a current business plan or strategic plan
Identify the proposed use of the grant funds
Documentation to confirm that it is a SWaM or service-disabled veteran-owned business (if applicable)
Commit to attending at least three business counseling sessions at the HIVE if awarded a Grant.

When are applications being received?

Applications will be accepted in thirty-day cycles while funding is available. The first cycle will start on Oct. 1, 2026, and close on Oct. 30, 2026. After that, the Virginia Beach Development Authority will give at least ten (10) days’ notice before it opens the next cycle.

What documentation needs to be included in the application?

Current business license
Business or Strategic Plan
Articles of Incorporation or Articles of Organization
Profit & Loss Statement or other documentation showing operation for at least one year
Paid Invoices for Reimbursement (once expended)
Invoices for pre-payment (If approved)

Who is on the Selection Committee?

The chair of the Virginia Beach Development Authority shall appoint members, and will have at least one representative from:

VBDA
Minority Business Council
Department of Economic Development
City Manager’s Office

What is the selection process?

All completed applications will be reviewed and scored by the Selection Committee. Additional points will be awarded to applications for the following:

Women, minority, service-disabled veteran, or veteran-owned
The number of years in operation
Submission of a credit report

The Selection Committee shall evaluate the proposed use of funds and how the grant will promote the continued operation and/or expansion of the business in the City.

Applications will be date-stamped and reviewed in the order they are received. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed. Applicants will be notified of missing information within one business day and may resubmit an application. If an application is resubmitted, it will lose its original place in line and will be treated as a new submission, thus moving to the back of the queue.

How are grants paid out?

Once approved, grants shall be paid on a reimbursement basis with written documentation acceptable to the director of Economic Development. In some cases, and at the discretion of the director of Economic Development, a grant may be prepaid for an allowable use.