The Portsmouth Economic Development Authority (EDA) focuses on and supports the City's growing entrepreneurship and small business community through two Business Investment Grant programs and one Real Property Investment Grant program.
Grant programs are tailored to help new businesses, growing businesses, and established organizations making additional investments in the City of Portsmouth. For details on the programs and eligibility requirements, please click on the links below.
In an effort to further assist entrepreneurship efforts, we have partnered with the Hampton Roads Small Business Development Center, the Carolinas-Virginia Minority Supplier Development Council and Operation HOPE to provide workshops that will guide business owners through the steps of their first, or updating their current, business plan, Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) Information Sessions, and small business workshops.
We have also partnered with the City's Commissioner of the Revenue's Office, Permits and Building Inspections Department, and Planning and Zoning Department to offer quarterly grant information sessions that will prepare interested business and property owners for each grant application round.
Please send your questions regarding the grant programs through our Contact Us Form or by calling us at 757.393.8804. Look for frequent updates on our Facebook page!
Applications for the 2025 Fiscal Year are open in the grant rounds listed below for the Smart Start Business Development Grant and the Smart Start Business Acceleration Grant. Due to the overwhelming response of the Real Property Investment Grants on Round 1: July 1-31, 2025, the Real Property Investment Grant Program is now closed for FY26. Please stay turned for future funding availability and opportunities.
Round 1: July 1-31, 2025
Round 2: October 1-31, 2025
Round 3: January 1-31, 2026
Round 4: April 1-30, 2026
EDA Grant Guidelines and Applications
Application portals will open the first day of the grant round
Smart Start Business Development Grant
Provide financial support for new and recently established startups and small businesses to assist with expanding entrepreneurial opportunity, business resiliency, and organizational development.
Smart Start Business Acceleration Grant
Provide financial support to established small businesses to advance and accelerate the growth and expansion of Portsmouth’s entrepreneurial and small business community.
Real Property Investment Grant
Provide new or relocating businesses, expanding businesses, and commercial property owners with the rehabilitation and redevelopment of interior and exterior spaces to visually enhance the local streetscape, and increase interest in the City of Portsmouth.
A printable fact sheet on all three grant programs can be found here.