Detroit is putting more than $1 million into small business grants this fall, split across five programs with deadlines between now and October 5. The money comes from the Detroit Economic Growth Corporation in partnership with the City of Detroit, and the programs are aimed at very different businesses, from 30-year-old storefronts to tech startups to grocers. The first deadline lands August 17. Here is every program, what it pays, who qualifies, and when it closes.
All Five Programs at a Glance
| Program | Awards | Who | Closes |
| Green Grocer | Up to $25,000 from a $100,000 pool | Small grocers and independent food retailers | August 17 |
| Motor City Match | About $50,000 average, $315,000 pool | New brick-and-mortar businesses | October 1 |
| NextUp313 | $1,500 to $10,000, $63,500 pool | Owners ages 18 to 30 | October 5 |
| Legacy Business Project | $5,000 to $50,000, $310,000 pool | Businesses open 30-plus years | October 5 |
| Detroit Startup Fund | $15,000 and $50,000, $300,000 pool | Scalable tech startups | October 5 |
Green Grocer, the One Closing First
If you run a small-format grocery or an independent food retail shop, this is the urgent one. The Green Grocer Program puts $100,000 toward expanding access to fresh food in Detroit neighborhoods, with individual awards up to $25,000. Applications opened July 15 and close August 17, so the window is short.
NextUp313, for Owners Under 30
NextUp313 is built for Detroit business owners between 18 and 30, which makes it one of the few local programs where being early in your career is the qualification rather than the obstacle. The pool is $63,500, awarded in tiers of $1,500, $3,500, $5,000, and $10,000. Applications run August 24 through October 5.
The Legacy Business Project, for the 30-Year Survivors
This one goes the other direction. The Detroit Legacy Business Project targets brick-and-mortar businesses that have operated in the city for 30 years or more, with $310,000 available in awards of $5,000, $15,000, and $50,000. The purpose is modernizing operations and steadying finances for the shops that stayed through everything. Applications run August 24 through October 5.
The Startup Fund and Motor City Match
The Detroit Startup Fund returns with $300,000 for technology startups with scalable models, in $15,000 and $50,000 awards, aimed at founders who hit walls with traditional lenders. Applications open August 31 and close October 5, posted at detroitmi.gov/startup.
Motor City Match, the program that pairs entrepreneurs with vacant commercial space, has $315,000 for new brick-and-mortar businesses, averaging about $50,000 per award. It runs September 1 through October 1.
What the City Says
DEGC president and chief executive Kevin Johnson framed the spread as deliberate. “This investment gives entrepreneurs at every stage the resources they need to grow,” he said. Mayor Mary Sheffield tied it back to the block: “When we invest in a grocery store or a startup, the whole neighborhood benefits.”
Sean Gray, senior vice president of small business services, pointed to the part applicants tend to miss, which is that the help is not only financial. “Our team works one-on-one with applicants from first conversation through ribbon cutting,” he said.
Before You Apply
Two practical notes. Applications for these programs generally ask for a real business plan and a clear account of how the money gets deployed, so the paperwork rewards preparation. And these programs work: Detroit’s entrepreneur pipeline is how businesses like Just Elevate Fitness Club got built, one program at a time.
Program details and applications are through the Detroit Economic Growth Corporation. For more on Detroit owners building from the ground up, follow our Business Spotlight coverage.
Detroit Small Business Grants FAQ
What is the first deadline?
Green Grocer closes August 17, with awards up to $25,000.
Is there a grant for young owners?
Yes. NextUp313 serves owners ages 18 to 30, closing October 5.
What about long-running businesses?
The Legacy Business Project funds brick-and-mortar businesses open 30-plus years, up to $50,000.
Where do I apply?
Through the DEGC. Startup Fund applications are at detroitmi.gov/startup.