Founders First Capital Partners — Small Certified Supplier Innovative Finance Program
Founders First Capital Partners
$5,000 (quarterly)
Quarterly $5,000 unrestricted grants for certified small business suppliers; includes coaching scholarship.
The Small Certified Supplier Innovative Finance Program (SIFP) from Founders First Capital Partners provides $5,000 unrestricted grants to certified small business suppliers each quarter. Eight certified suppliers are selected each quarter, and applicants apply once and remain eligible for future quarterly cycles. Winners also receive a scholarship for additional coaching or business-program accelerators. The program is part of the U.S. Department of the Treasury's State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI) and is designed to increase certified suppliers' access to capital, resources, and connections.
- Funding type
- Grant
- Level
- Private
- Amount range
- $5,000 – $5,000
- Realistic amount
- $5,000 (eight winners per quarter)
- Deadline
- Quarterly; apply once to remain eligible for future cycles
- Status
- active
- States
- Nationwide
Who qualifies
- Certified small business supplier with an active or in-progress small business certification
- Recognized minority, women, veterans, or LGBTQ+ business certifications issued by national or state organizations (MBE, WBE, DBE, DVBE, VOSB, LGBTBE, 8a, SDB, SBA, etc.)
Who is not eligible
- Businesses without a recognized certification or certification in progress
- Non-certified suppliers
What it covers
Eligible expenses
- Any business purpose (unrestricted grant)
- Working capital
- Marketing
- Equipment
- Operations
- Coaching or accelerator scholarship
Ineligible expenses
- Personal expenses unrelated to the business
How to apply
-
1
Complete the funding readiness assessment
Complete a short funding readiness assessment and access the Passport On Demand to Funding program.
~0.5 hrs
-
2
Submit the SIFP application
Apply to be considered for the quarterly $5,000 grant and optional capital matchmaking.
~0.5 hrs
-
3
Remain eligible for future quarterly cycles
Once accepted, you remain eligible for future quarterly grant selections without reapplying.
Certification is the gate. If you do not yet have an MBE, WBE, VOSB, LGBTBE, or similar certification, start the 'in progress' certification process before applying so you meet the eligibility requirement.
Deadline & timing
Eight certified suppliers are selected each quarter. Apply once and remain eligible for future quarterly cycles.
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Required documents
- Proof of active or in-progress small business certification
- Business information and revenue stage
- Funding readiness assessment
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Researched and verified 2026-08-24 against the official program source. GrantCompass is an independent funding-discovery tool and is not affiliated with any government agency. Always confirm details on the official program page.