Micro and Small Business Grant Scheme

Micro and Small Business Grant Scheme is sponsored by National Entrepreneurship Development Company Limited (NEDCO) / Government of Trinidad and Tobago. This opportunity supports mission-aligned projects and measurable outcomes.

Follow us via bellow social networks. Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago Frequently Asked Questions The Micro and Small Business Grant scheme is a flagship initiative aimed at providing essential financial support and resources to budding entrepreneurs who are embarking on their entrepreneurial journey. What is the Micro and Small Business Grant Scheme?

The MSB Grant Scheme is a programme established by the Government to support entrepreneurs in Trinidad and Tobago. It is designed to provide essential financial support and resources to eligible applicants. The grant is accessible to persons who have either: Who administers the Grant Scheme?

The National Entrepreneurship Development Company Limited (NEDCO) is responsible for implementing and administering the Grant Scheme on behalf of the Government. Who can apply for the MSB Grant? Citizens and legal residents over the age of 18 years with a new business idea, start-up (registered but not operational) or existing business.

What is the maximum grant can any applicant receive? Applicants can access up to $20,000 (TTD) Will I have to repay the grant? No, you will not be required to repay the grant.

What documents do I need? Before applying you should at least have: Two forms of valid Trinidad and Tobago identification (national identification card, passport, or drivers permit). If you have only one form of identification, then you must produce your original birth certificate as a second form of identification.

Which business sectors are accepted for grant funding? The scheme covers a wide range of sectors including Entertainment, Transport and Logistics, Food Sales and Processing, Agriculture, forestry, fishing, Plumbing, Electrical, Welding & Fabrication, Auto Repair, Real Estate, Air Conditioning, Personal Services, Pet Shop, Photography and Videography, Graphic Design and more.

Transport and Logistics Food sales and processing Agriculture, forestry, fishing Plumbing and electrical Welding and fabrication Auto repair Air conditioning Personal services Artisan products Administrative support Virtual assistance Cleaning and maintenance Construction and engineering Distribution and Trading Healthcare Apparels and accessories Advisory services Are there any business sectors which are not eligible for the Grant Scheme?

The Grant Scheme does not cover Alcohol Related Businesses, and any illegal activity. What are the eligibility criteria for start-ups and existing businesses? Start-ups (registered but not operational) : Applicants MUST own 50% or more of the business.

Forecasted turnover for the first year’s trading must be less than $250,000. The business MUST be registered. *(Sole Traders and Partnerships – Certificate of Registration) *(Limited Liability Corporations- Articles of Incorporation, Notice of Address & Notice of Directors) Applicants MUST own 50% or more of the business.

Turnover of less than $250,000, over the last 12 months. The business MUST be registered. * (Sole Traders and Partnerships – Certificate of Registration) * (Limited Liability Corporations- Articles of Incorporation, Notice of Address & Notice of Directors) Will I qualify for the grant if I have an unregistered business?

For start-ups and existing businesses, your business MUST be registered to be eligible for the MSB grant . Which business-related documents will I need to provide? Certificate of Registration and proof of assignment of BIR number.

For existing businesses proof of business operations including receipts, invoices, contracts (not older than 18 months) Proof of business address (Utility bill not older than 3 months) *(If utility bill is not in your name please submit a letter of authorization from owner along with copy of owner’s ID) *(If business is operated from residential address, the same applies) Do I NEED to have a BIR number for my business before I apply?

Yes. For start-ups and existing businesses : Sole Trader Businesses – Personal BIR number . Incorporated entities- Company BIR number .

What are the key project deliverables of the Grant Scheme? Your pathway to the MSB Grant includes a 3-week Entrepreneurial Development Training, Business Advisory sessions and Mentorship support . What happens after I submit my application?

Submission of your application Verification of your documents An Assessment of your application to determine your Grant Pathway Assignment to relevant Grant Pathway Submission, Assessment and Approval of your Business Plan Monitoring and Evaluation of successful grant applicants. How are successful applications assessed?

Successful applications are assessed based on the eligibility criteria, quality of documentation, alignment with government objectives, viability, and sustainability of the business. How will I know if I was successful? You will be contacted by an MSB Grant Representative.

How long after I submit my application will a MSB Grant Representative contact me? Applications are processed chronologically. You will be contacted when your application reaches the evaluation team.

I made an error in my application, should I resend another one with the correct information? Only your first application will be used. Subsequent applications will not be reviewed.

Each applicant will be contacted by an MSB Grant Representative who will review the application. At this point, any clarification or additional information required can be raised with the MSB Grant Representative. What is the criteria for rejecting grant applications?

Applications may be declined if the applicant operated a similar business within the last five (5) years, has tax or insurance arrears, or has an unspent criminal conviction. Will I be contacted if I am unsuccessful? Yes , you will be.

There are two levels of notifications. First level: If you are unable to not meet the mandatory requirements or are unable to upload the required documents during the application process, you will receive a notification advising that your application was unsuccessful .

Second level: If your application was uploaded successfully and your documents were reviewed and assessed but your application was not approved for the grant, an MSB Grant Representative will communicate with you . I was not able to successfully submit my application online. What should I do?

You may be unable to submit your online application due to any of the following reasons: If you are attempting to submit attachments with a file size that is greater than or equal to the 3MB size limit on attachments. If you are attempting to submit zip files. If all the mandatory fields on the application form were not filled out.

If you are using mobile phones with low data and/or spotty service coverage which is not sufficient to support an application with several attachments. Ensure that each attachment is less than 3MB. If any attachment is greater than or equal to 3MB, the online application would not be accepted.

Compress any attachment that is greater than or equal to 3MB to reduce its size. If required, there are many free online apps which can be used to compress the required attachments. Only Word, Excel, PDF, and Image files are accepted (pdf, doc, docx, xls, xlsx, csv, jpg, jpeg, and png).

Ensure that all mandatory questions are answered. These are the questions with the asterisk (*) next to them. It is recommended that applicants use a computer or mobile device with a stable WiFi connection.

What support is offered post-grant? Mentorship is provided to applicants who receive financial support. Mentors will provide ongoing advice, guidance, and support.

What is the purpose of Monitoring and Evaluation of Applicants? The Monitoring and Evaluation exercise aims to ensure the effective implementation and success of the Micro and Small Business Grant Scheme, assess its impact, and gather insights for continuous improvement. How can I ensure that I have all the required documents and information ready before starting the application process?

To ensure you are well-prepared with all the necessary documents and information before beginning your application, consider the following steps: Review Application Guidelines: Carefully read through the application guidelines and requirements provided by the MSB Grant Scheme. Use a Checklist: Review the checklist we have provided, this contains all the required documents and information.

This will serve as a handy reference as you gather the necessary materials. Collect Documents in Advance: Begin gathering the required documents well in advance of the application deadline. This allows you ample time to ensure everything is in order.

Seek Assistance: If you are unsure about any document or information requirement, do not hesitate to reach out to the MSB Grant Team or seek guidance from mentors or advisors who have experience with grant applications. Double-Check: Before you start the application, double-check that you have all the documents and information on the checklist. Ensure that they are complete and up to date.

How can I get more information or contact an MSB Grant Scheme representative? For more information please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

or call 821-5800 ext. 2013/2017/2018. NEDCO is a state enterprise in Trinidad and Tobago, tasked with developing the MSE sector through the provision of loans, business training & entrepreneurial support services.