Tampa Entrepreneur Support Hub Microgrant
City of Tampa
$1,500–$3,000
Up to $1.5K (startup) or $3K (established) microgrants for Tampa LMI microentrepreneurs; referral deadline Feb 15, 2027.
The City of Tampa's Entrepreneur Support Hub provides technical assistance and microgrants to low- and moderate-income entrepreneurs and microenterprises in Tampa, Florida. Funded by a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), the program offers the BASE Grant of up to $1,500 for startups operating less than 12 months and the STEP Grant of up to $3,000 for established microenterprises operating 12 months or more. Applicants must complete required technical assistance and have a Microgrant Referral Form submitted by a City-funded or approved partner; all referrals must be submitted by February 15, 2027.
- Funding type
- Grant
- Level
- Municipal
- Amount range
- $1,500 – $3,000
- Realistic amount
- $1,500 for startups; $3,000 for established microenterprises.
- Deadline
- Referrals must be submitted by February 15, 2027
- Status
- active
- States
- FL
Who qualifies
- Microenterprise with five or fewer employees (full-time equivalents), including the owner(s)
- Business must operate within Tampa city limits
- Owner household income at or below 80% of Area Median Income (AMI), or business provides goods/services to a neighborhood where at least 51% of residents are LMI
- Must complete technical assistance and produce a business plan or strategy document after July 1, 2025
- Must have a Microgrant Referral Form submitted by a City-funded or approved partner
Who is not eligible
- Businesses with more than five FTE employees
- Businesses located outside Tampa city limits
- Owners with household income above 80% AMI without LMI area benefit
- Applicants who have not completed required technical assistance
What it covers
Eligible expenses
- Flexible funding to establish, stabilize, or expand the business
Ineligible expenses
- Expenses not tied to an approved business use
How to apply
-
1
Contact the Small Business Navigator or a funded partner
Reach out to the City of Tampa Small Business Navigator, SBDC at USF, Tampa Bay Women's Business Centre, Prospera, or another approved partner to discuss eligibility.
~1 hrs
-
2
Complete required technical assistance
Finish technical assistance services and produce a business plan or strategy document after July 1, 2025.
~8 hrs
-
3
Obtain and submit Microgrant Referral Form
Have the assisting organization submit the Microgrant Referral Form on your behalf to amanda.alfarah@tampagov.net by February 15, 2027.
~1 hrs
-
4
Await preliminary eligibility determination
The City reviews the referral and supporting documentation. Submission does not guarantee approval.
Complete the required technical assistance and business plan through a City-funded partner before asking for the referral form; the referral deadline is February 15, 2027.
Deadline & timing
Applicants must first complete technical assistance and have a Microgrant Referral Form submitted on their behalf by a City-funded or approved partner.
Deadline: February 15, 2027 — put it in your calendar before you close this tab.
Includes reminders one week and one day before. Verify on the official program page — funders move dates.
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Required documents
- Microgrant Referral Form from an approved partner
- Proof of household income and assets
- Proof of Tampa city-limits location
- Business plan or strategy document completed after July 1, 2025
- Technical assistance completion documentation
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Last updated August 25, 2026. GrantCompass is an independent funding-discovery tool and is not affiliated with any government agency. Always confirm details on the official program page.