Startup grants and accelerators: Hardware / IoT

Missouri's flagship state-sponsored venture capital initiative - direct investments (equity or convertible debt) into promising early-stage, high-growth Missouri startups, leveraging state and federal funding to accelerate private investment.

NLnet Foundation offers grants of €5,000 to €50,000 for a first grant to support technical development of open-source software, hardware, or content under open licenses and standards. Applicants can apply to several theme funds (e.g., Restack, CodeSupply, or an open call) with a short proposal describing the project, budget breakdown, and team background.

EIC Accelerator provides funding and support to startups and SMEs developing high-risk, game-changing innovations (TRL 6-8) with potential to create or disrupt markets. It offers a blended finance package combining grants and equity investments, plus business acceleration services like coaching, mentoring, and access to networks and global partners.

Sydney-based deep tech incubator with 25 years of track record - alumni have collectively raised over $280 million. Offers Deep Tech Programs at no cost or reduced rates through partner-funded support, plus the annual Tech23 startup showcase.

The EU-LAC Digital Accelerator connects large corporations with startups and innovative SMEs across Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean. It supports corporate-startup partnerships up to an investment-ready stage. Startups receive free, tailored acceleration services, including proof-of-concept, business case definition and access to investment opportunities.

One of the most founder-friendly state grants available - non-dilutive, rolling applications, up to $150,000 in matching funds to support early-stage product development for Nebraska-based companies.

Global, virtual-first fellowship backing early-stage founders, run by a group of unicorn entrepreneurs. Two tracks: Ideation for founders without revenue traction, Traction for founders already generating revenue, users, pilots or patents. Roughly 35-40 startups accepted a year.

Dollar-matched non-dilutive funding voucher ($10,000-$50,000) to access CSIRO's research expertise for pre-revenue or pre-profit Australian startups and small businesses - nothing repaid, no equity taken, rolling applications.

Deep-tech focused venture firm running accelerator programs for startups in Southeast and South Asia, the Middle East, Africa and Latin America through its Orbit Startups initiative.

Tokyo-backed seed investor with offices in Nairobi and Lagos, writing $50,000-$150,000 checks into early-stage African startups, with a track record across Kenya, Nigeria, Uganda, Ghana, Morocco, and Cameroon.

State grants up to $75,000 (covering up to 75% of costs) for Illinois small businesses running R&D projects in partnership with an Illinois university or research institution.

AWS Activate provides startups with promotional cloud credits, ranging from up to $5,000 for self-funded founders to up to $200,000 for pre-Series B startups backed by an Activate Provider (accelerator, angel investor, or VC firm). Invite-only additional credits beyond $200,000 are available for AI startups ready to scale post Activate Portfolio.

Elemental Impact is a nonprofit investor that provides catalytic capital plus wrap-around support—project expertise, local partnerships, and investor mobilization—to entrepreneurs building first-of-a-kind and early commercial climate technologies across energy, industry, food and agriculture, nature, water, and transportation. It also recently launched a Data Center Innovation Initiative with Amazon, Google, Meta, and Microsoft to accelerate sustainable infrastructure technologies.

Non-dilutive, reimbursable matching grant for Kentucky companies that have already won a federal SBIR or STTR award - up to $100,000 for a Phase I project, up to $150,000 for Phase II, helping bridge the gap to commercialization.

South Park Commons runs a 6-month Residency program for technical founders and technologists to explore ideas, test them with peers, and find collaborators at no cost and no equity taken. For members who reach conviction on a venture-scale idea, SPC also provides funding from $1M to $10M to help launch the company.

Co-invests up to $150,000 alongside industry partners in research projects with University of Central Florida or University of South Florida faculty, for companies in the 23-county Corridor region.

Entrepreneur First is a talent investor that helps individuals find cofounders and build startups from scratch, supporting them from early idea through first revenue and fundraising. It provides equity-free grants, direct investment, office space in London, Bangalore and San Francisco, and connections to top Silicon Valley investors and advisors.

Silicon Valley's flagship accelerator for enterprise, B2B and deep-tech startups - a six-month seed-stage program with an optional $25,000 stipend in exchange for a negotiable single-digit equity stake (commonly ~5%).

Government incentive programme helping entrepreneurs and new Israeli startups reach proof of concept and business feasibility. Funds prototype building, IP protection and business development, including materials, components, subcontractors and consultants. Founders are not required to quit their job, incorporate a company, or give up rights to the project.

Concierge-style 12-week equity accelerator (separate from the free gBETA track) - $100,000 investment via SAFE for 7.5% equity, only 5-6 companies per cohort, with curated introductions to mentors, corporates and investors. Runs cohorts in multiple US cities/states.

Austin-based accelerator and VC firm, the most active investor in Texas for over a decade - unusually founder-friendly terms at just 1% equity for up to $100,000 in investment, plus mentorship, coworking and the largest investor network in Texas.

State-backed venture capital program (part of Nevada's SSBCI allocation) targeting Nevada-based startups and high-growth tech companies raising seed, Series A or Series B rounds.

Part of Iowa's Innovation Continuum - up to $175,000 to help Iowa companies (fewer than 500 employees) bring market-ready, innovative technologies or products to commercialization in advanced manufacturing, biosciences or information technology. Requires matching funds.

Non-dilutive grants for South Carolina tech startups: a Startup Grant (up to $25,000) for early-stage companies reaching commercialization, and an Acceleration Grant (up to $50,000) for more established early-stage companies. Part of the broader SC Launch program, which can combine grants, loans and investment up to $775,000.

Innovate UK's Innovation Funding Service lists multiple ongoing and upcoming competitions offering grants to UK-registered businesses and other organisations for R&D and innovation projects across sectors such as AI, batteries, energy, health, and more. Each competition has its own eligibility criteria, funding amount, and deadline, with awards ranging from tens of thousands to tens of millions of pounds.

The worlds largest startup campus in Paris. The Fighters Program offers free desk space and support to founders who did not start from a privileged background, alongside 30+ specialized in-house programs.

Non-dilutive grants for Maine startups along the full innovation continuum - typically $10,000-$30,000 for first-time applicants, with cumulative funding reaching up to $100,000 per company as the business progresses. No application deadlines - apply any time.

Smart&Start Italia is an Invitalia incentive supporting the launch and growth of high-tech innovative startups across all Italian regions. It provides a zero-interest loan covering a large share of eligible expenses, with additional non-repayable grants available for startups based in Central-Southern Italy.

The federal non-dilutive funding program behind most of the state SBIR/STTR matching grants in this catalog - Phase I awards $50,000-$275,000 for proof of concept, Phase II awards $750,000-$1,800,000 for technology development. Open to for-profit US companies with fewer than 500 employees, in all 50 states and territories.

Innosuisse funds science-based innovation projects of Swiss start-ups preparing for first market entry, covering up to 70% of direct project costs with the start-up contributing at least 30% itself. Only the start-up (not a research partner) is supported, and applications are evaluated by independent experts and the Innovation Council before a funding decision.

NVIDIA's free programme for AI and accelerated-computing startups. It gives training credits, preferred pricing on enterprise GPUs and software, free cloud credits from NVIDIA and its partners, and introductions to investors through Inception Capital Connect. No cohorts and no fixed intake.

Free, equity-free 7-week accelerator program from gener8tor - no investment, no fees, no equity taken. Runs cohorts in 50+ US cities across a range of industry verticals, selecting up to 5 companies per cohort.

State-affiliated seed fund investing in Virginia-headquartered technology, life science, and cleantech startups, with initial checks up to $125,000 via a common Gust application.

Non-dilutive grants ($100,000-$500,000) for Massachusetts-based startups that have won a federal SBIR/STTR Phase II award, funding commercialization activities like market validation and IP strategy.

Small non-dilutive awards ($7,000-$15,000) for Michigan startups working with a SmartZone business accelerator, funding specialist services not otherwise available to help the company reach commercialization.

TCA Venture Group, formerly Tech Coast Angels, is an angel investment organisation in Southern California with about 400 members and five angel funds. It supports startups through seed, bridge and early A-round funding, and provides connections, mentorship and operational support. Entrepreneurs can apply for funding through its website.

Government-backed non-dilutive grant (up to Rs 20 lakh, ~$24,000) for proof-of-concept, prototyping and product trials, applied for through DPIIT-approved incubators, plus optional convertible-debt funding for market entry.

Small non-dilutive microgrant ($5,000) for New Hampshire startups with a strong SBIR/STTR concept, covering direct proposal-development support - requires completing FOSTER pre-proposal training first.

The SFC Angel Fund raises money for early-stage businesses by investing in SEIS and EIS eligible ventures. The page says SFC invests in 15-20 companies per fund and works with universities, spin-outs, accelerators, incubators and angel investors. It also has a 'Start Raising' section for startups seeking capital.

State-run non-dilutive grants (Proof of Concept, Early-Stage Capital & Retention, Collaborative Infrastructure, Export) for Colorado startups in seven advanced industries: manufacturing, aerospace, bioscience, electronics, energy, infrastructure engineering, and technology.

State-backed seed investor operating four regional offices across Pennsylvania, funding early-stage tech and manufacturing companies with $100,000-$500,000 plus business support services.

Founders, Inc. describes itself as the first check for founders solving hard problems in emerging domains such as AI, AR/VR, hardware and robotics. Selected founders are invited to its campus at Fort Mason in San Francisco, where they get their first check and access to a community of top founders.

State grants for Minnesota startups: Innovation Grants reimbursing R&D and business expenses, plus SBIR/STTR Matching Grants (up to $35,000 for Phase 1, $50,000 for Phase 2 federal awardees).

Competitive pitch program offering grants up to $10,000 to early-stage Connecticut companies getting their product to market, plus related CTNext grants (Growth Company Grants up to $25,000, Technology Talent Bridge up to $25,000).

Poland's state agency for enterprise development runs the national and EU-funded support schemes for small and medium companies - grants for innovation, internationalisation, digital adoption and staff training. Individual calls open and close through the year, each with its own budget and rules.

For Hawaii-based companies that win a federal Phase I SBIR award - HTDC matches up to 50% of the award amount, non-dilutive. A smaller $3,000 Phase 0 grant is also available to help first-time applicants prepare a competitive SBIR proposal.

Non-dilutive state grant of up to $125,000 for Alaska small businesses with an active or recently completed federal SBIR or STTR award, funding business development, market testing, and patent filing.

Non-dilutive matching grant (up to $50,000) for Vermont-based companies that have already received a federal SBIR or STTR Phase I or II award.

Supplementary non-dilutive state funding (up to $100,000) for research-focused startups that have already won a federal SBIR or STTR grant, aimed at keeping the company rooted in Louisiana.

Alabama's longest-running business plan and pitch competition (since 2006) - up to $100,000 in non-dilutive funding for winning startups across technology, life sciences and consumer goods tracks, plus a 12-week mentorship program. Has invested over $6.6 million in 124 Alabama startups to date.

Non-dilutive grant of up to $5,000 for South Dakota startups to prepare a competitive federal SBIR/STTR Phase I proposal.

Non-dilutive Concept Awards ($200,000) and Prototype Awards ($500,000) for early-stage California clean energy startups, administered by New Energy Nexus for the California Energy Commission.

IAN Group invests in innovative companies that solve real-world problems, driven by technology and targeting large markets. Its investment strategy draws on the Group's mentor and expert pool and global networks. Investment is made through funds including the IAN Alpha Fund and the IAN Angel Fund.

14-week accelerator (New York/Philadelphia) for HealthTech, UrbanTech and SecureTech startups with early revenue or pilot traction - $50,000-$100,000 investment for 6% equity, with equity not exercised until Series A.

State-run grants and SBIR/STTR matching funds (SEED Fund) for Washington technology startups, plus periodic Small Business Innovation Fund awards for R&D-driven small businesses.

Pre-seed / proof-of-concept non-dilutive funding for Oklahoma startups - $50,000-$100,000 per company with a 1:1 matching co-investment requirement from founders or other investors.

Discretionary state grant of up to $250,000 to sponsor business and technology accelerator programs mentoring Arkansas start-up companies, plus a related SBIR Matching Grant (up to $50,000 Phase I / $100,000 Phase II).

State matching fund for Tennessee companies that have received federal SBIR/STTR awards, plus a separate TTAC Proof of Concept Program with a rolling application for early-stage innovators.

Grants up to $75,000 for Rhode Island businesses (500 employees or fewer) to fund R&D conducted with a local Knowledge Provider (college, university, hospital or research institution) or in-house for manufacturers. Over 150 projects funded to date.

Non-dilutive grant of up to $5,000 for Oregon-based companies to secure professional proposal-development services for a federal SBIR/STTR Phase I, Phase II, or Fast-Track application.

Canada's largest source of non-repayable R&D funding for small and medium businesses — up to $10,000,000 per project, covering up to 80% of R&D labour costs. No equity taken, nothing repaid.

New York state energy agency deploying $1.2 billion over 15 years in R&D grants, commercialization support, and an Entrepreneur-in-Residence program for clean energy startups.

Non-dilutive matching funds for Kansas-based small businesses: Phase 0 covers proposal development (up to $3,000), Phase 1 matches a federal SBIR/STTR Phase I award (up to $25,000). Requires 51% of operations to stay in Kansas.

State-run programs for Arizona startups: a free six-week Venture Start accelerator plus the Arizona Innovation Challenge, an annual non-dilutive competition awarding up to $250,000 to early-stage companies.

Non-dilutive funding for Maryland technology-based startups in two phases - Technology Assessment (up to $130,000 over 9 months) and Technology Validation - up to $430,000 total. Applications reviewed quarterly.

Non-dilutive matching grants for West Virginia companies with a federal SBIR/STTR Phase I or II award, plus up to $10,000 in technical assistance funding for accelerator participants, with top graduates eligible to pitch for up to $100,000 in additional pre-seed funding.

Indiana's non-profit venture development partner matches $0.50 for every federal SBIR/STTR dollar awarded, up to $50,000 per award and a $150,000 lifetime cap per company - non-dilutive.

Non-dilutive matching grants (up to $30,000 per phase, per year) for Montana companies working on a federal SBIR or STTR project, covering both Phase I feasibility research and Phase II commercialization.

J-Startup is a startup development support program run by Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) that identifies and promotes promising Japanese startups capable of competing globally. Companies are selected through a strict examination process involving recommendations from venture capitalists, accelerators, and corporate innovation leaders, plus approval by an external review committee. Selected companies are designated 'J-Startup Company' and featured/promoted by the program. The programme page does not specify what designated companies receive beyond the designation itself.

EIC Pathfinder is a Horizon Europe funding programme that supports research teams taking forward breakthrough deep tech projects at the earliest stages (TRL 1-4). It offers grants of up to EUR 4 million, booster grants, coaching, mentoring and networking. It is open to research teams, including consortia or, for Pathfinder Challenges only, single applicants.

Non-dilutive grant for knowledge- or technology-based startups spinning out of a German university or research institution - up to EUR 30,000 in material costs, EUR 5,000 coaching budget, plus a monthly founder stipend (EUR 1,000-3,000) for up to 12 months. Applied for through the university, not directly.

Government-backed accelerator helping non-Korean startups expand into the Korean and Asian markets — up to KRW 950M (~$633,000) in program support across three phases, no equity required, free office space in Korea included.

SPRIND is Germany's Federal Agency for Breakthrough Innovation, which runs open 'Challenges' inviting teams with radical ideas to apply for funding on specific breakthrough technology themes. Current open challenges include AI-Native Chip Design, Next Frontier Robotics, and Recoding Medicine, each with its own application deadline. The agency finances groundbreaking technologies intended to generate economic benefit for Germany and Europe.

Hello Tomorrow Global Challenge is a global deep tech startup competition offering a €200K equity prize from DeepBright Ventures, access to 350+ VCs and CVCs at Investor Day, and year-round connections with investors, corporates, and industry leaders. Selected 'Deep Tech Pioneers' get global recognition, exhibition opportunities at the Hello Tomorrow Summit in Amsterdam, and finalists pitch on the Pioneers Stage in front of top investors and media.

Founders Factory is a venture studio and startup accelerator that co-founds and funds companies at idea, pre-seed and seed stage, offering capital plus operational support from a 60+ person team and access to corporate partners across Fintech, Health, Industrials and Deep Tech sectors. It runs multiple sector-specific accelerator programs globally (e.g. Fintech, Mining Tech, Climate, Health) in partnership with corporates like Aviva, Rio Tinto, WA Government, MSWA and HSBC.

LAN Accelerator runs a six-week acceleration programme for early-stage tech startups in Latin America, combining masterclasses, 1:1 mentoring, the LAN Brain team memory tool, and a Demo Day in Santiago de Chile. LAN takes equity through a SAFE at the startup's current valuation to cover the programme cost. The page says the top startups of the batch may receive cash investment through a SAFE at the cap of their own round.

Non-dilutive reimbursement of up to $4,500 for Wisconsin-based technology companies preparing a federal SBIR/STTR Phase I application, plus a separate matching grant for companies that already won a Phase I or II award.

Non-dilutive grant of $25,000-$50,000 for business development expenses to early-stage New Mexico companies commercializing new technology, plus a separate SBIR/STTR Matching Grant ($50,000-$100,000) for federal award recipients.

Non-dilutive grants (3:1 state-to-business match) for Delaware small businesses with 10 or fewer employees - up to $100,000 for science and technology companies, or up to $50,000 for other sectors. Rolling applications, decisions within 45 days.

Google for Startups Accelerator: Southeast Asia is a three-month, equity-free program for Seed-to-Series B startups in Southeast Asia, offering direct engineering support, 1-to-1 mentoring, technical workshops, and in-person bootcamps in Singapore and San Francisco. Participants also gain early access to Google AI products, potential Cloud credits, and free Cloud TPU access to accelerate their technology and business.

State-run accelerator helping Texas research-driven startups secure non-dilutive federal SBIR/STTR funding, plus access to the state's FAST Partnership matching program.

GitHub Accelerator is a 10-week cohort program for open source maintainers and contributors building AI-focused projects, offering non-dilutive funding, mentorship, and technical resources. Selected teams receive live instruction, workshops, office hours with GitHub and Microsoft's M12 venture fund, and access to GitHub/Azure AI tooling. The program culminates in a Demo Day to showcase projects to the community.

Non-dilutive grants for early-stage New Jersey startups - no application fees collected. Includes Clean Tech R&D Seed Grants (up to $75,000) for very early-stage clean tech companies and SBIR/STTR follow-on support ($50,000) for companies that completed Phase I and submitted a Phase II application.

Non-dilutive grants ($5,000-$50,000) for growth-oriented Wyoming startups, awarded through a competitive quarterly pitch process. Requires the company to stay primarily in Wyoming for at least three years and keep 50% of employees Wyoming residents.

Free, equity-free seven-month pre-acceleration programme for early-stage innovators across 22+ European countries, offering training, mentorship, and up to EUR 10,000 in prizes with no equity taken.