The City of San Antonio strives to support businesses of all sizes in your journey through sustainable business growth. Second stage businesses are defined by The Edward Lowe Foundation, as an established company that has moved beyond the startup phase, typically 10-99 people, with $1 million - $50 million in annual revenue. In San Antonio we want to help second stage businesses thrive and beginning May 4 the City of San Antonio will be accepting applications for two different funding opportunities, the Second Stage Company Grant Program and the SBIR/STTR Grant Program.  

Information sessions will be offered to help you prepare application materials in advance of the opening date, Monday, May 4, to ensure you are able to quickly and easily submit your application for consideration. Program and information session details are below.

Second Stage Company Grant Program

This grant program is designed to help small businesses mitigate challenges such as managing a growing staff or entering new markets. Awarded funds should be used to engage in deliberate investments to grow locally and regionally, as identified in submitted growth strategy. Learn more.

GRANT ELIGIBILITY

Applicants must meet the definition of a Second-Stage Company:

• Must be a for-profit, privately owned business.

• Must have $1 million – $50 million in revenue.

• Must have 100 employees or less..

• Must be a business in one of the City of San Antonio's five strategic industries by eligible NAICS code: 

  • Mobility

  • Corporate Services

  • Bioscience Anchors & Catalysts

  • IT Security & Infrastructure 

  • Sustainable Energy

SBIR/STTR Grant Program

Grant Program will support research-focused, San Antonio small businesses that have received a federal SBIR/STTR grant. It is intended to support San Antonio startup companies that have a high potential for commercial viability to establish new markets and spur export-oriented growth. Learn more.

GRANT ELIGIBILITY

Phase I and Phase II federal SBIR/STTR recipients must meet the following criteria:

• Must be a for-profit, privately owned business.

• Must be headquartered in the City of San Antonio.

• Must have 40 or fewer employees.

NOTE: Grant program requirements and eligibility criteria are subject to change at City's discretion.

Learn more detail about eligibility requirements.

VIRTUAL INFORMATION SESSIONS

Information sessions are available to assist businesses who are interested in applying for the Second Stage Company Grant Program or the SBIR/STTR Grant Program. These info. sessions will explain details about each program and will share guidance on how to apply for each program.