Virginia Beach Small Business Grant

Virginia Beach Small Business Grant is sponsored by City of Virginia Beach. Offers reimbursement grants to support the growth and stability of women-owned, minority-owned, veteran-owned, and service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses in Virginia Beach.

YesVirginiaBeach. com ~ 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.

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 City of Virginia Beach Development Authority (VBDA). It is current on the payment of all local taxes and fees.

It has not received any other grant from 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. Grants shall be up to a maximum of $10,000 per approved business.

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

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 the amount that is requested and 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.

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.

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 The HIVE - Business Resource Center 140 Independence Blvd.

, Virginia Beach Free parking is provided in the Red Parking Deck (Use the Market Street entrance) Register for Grant Pre-Application Workshop 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.

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 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. 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 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? 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 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 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? 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: Minority Business Council Department of Economic Development 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.

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. Who do I contact for more information?

Virginia Beach Economic Development – VB HIVE Senior Business Development Representative Virginia Beach Economic Development – VB HIVE 140 Independence Blvd. , Virginia Beach, VA 23462 Monday-Friday, 8 a. m.

–5 p. m. * Directions and Parking *Monday–Thursday, 5–8 p.

m. for select programs and workshops (RSVP required)