As the next round of EDGE applications opens in February 2025, the Delaware SBDC is in the mood to celebrate. In the last round of 2024’s EDGE Grant Awards, hosted by the Delaware Division of Small Business, 9 out of 10 winners were Delaware SBDC clients!

Encouraging Development, Growth, & Expansion

The EDGE Grant provides small businesses less than seven years old with less than 10 full-time employees the opportunity to showcase their business venture in a friendly competition to win cash prizes. Former Secretary of State, Jeff Bullock, vouched for small businesses owners and the possible impact they can have, expressing “the ability of Delawareans to realize the potential of their business ideas shouldn’t be limited by their financial resources.” 

Through this matching grant program, the Delaware State Division of Small Businesses (DSB) matches a winning business investment on a 3-to-1 basis. If funding a new development or expanding services is in the near future, small businesses can look to EDGE grant funds for funding to realize their business dreams.

SBDC Clients Win Big

Each year, many entrepreneurs pursue EDGE funding for their projects – with twice annual application periods, small businesses are tasked with extensive research, grant writing, presentation skills, and financial planning to submit a successful application. SBDC clients, especially, are ready to tackle the grant application process – after working with our team of advisors, reviewing all the details, and presenting an airtight application, entrepreneurs are better primed to understand and prepare for the rigorous process. 

Just before the close of the year, the Delaware SBDC celebrated 9 of 10 EDGE Grant award winners as our own clients! While we help many more than nine applicants each year, we are proud of the winners in this class and are thrilled to see them grow and succeed with an influx of funding. The tireless work, long hours, and innovative vision of each of these entrepreneurs is commendable, and we are honored to have been part of their journey. 

Reflecting on the Journey

EDGE winners have spoken out in recent news regarding what led to their success as grant candidates, some sharing how the Delaware SBDC’s expert technical support helped along the way. 

DelawareLive featured one of our Delaware SBDC clients, Paul Bryan, owner of Good Company Handyman. Providing solutions for both minor and large household projects, this new business is on a path to success. As an entrepreneur, Paul encourages small businesses like his to reach out to organizations like the Delaware Small Business Development Center (DSBDC) for assistance. He stated, “It’s hard enough starting and running a business, so connect with people that will make your life easier.”

Kasia Biggin, founder of Natural Sweeteners, also expressed gratitude toward the Delaware community on DelawareLive mentioning the DSBDC. As a Delaware-based business specializing in healthier, low-calorie sweeteners, Kasia expresses the power of a helping hand. She urged fellow business owners not to “underestimate the power of leveraging your local community” and how “The Natural Sweeteners team has received tremendous support from Delaware state groups, including the Delaware Small Business Development Center.”

Looking to the Future

The EDGE grant competition provided by the Division of Small Business (DSB) is a great opportunity to take your small business to the next level. At the Delaware SBDC, we look forward to seeing the next season of small business applicants as the application portal opens in February of 2025. 

For more information on the EDGE Grant Competition, please visit https://business.delaware.gov/edge/