Virginia Small Business Financing Authority (VSBFA) Economic Development Loan Fund (EDLF)
Virginia Small Business Financing Authority (VSBFA) — Virginia Department of Small Business and Supplier Diversity (SBSD)
Up to 40% / $1M
State gap loan for expansion
A direct, subordinated gap-financing loan from the Commonwealth of Virginia to small businesses, not-for-profits, and local development authorities pursuing economic growth and expansion. EDLF loans are capped at the lesser of 40% of total project cost or $1,000,000, generally carry maturities up to about ten years (amortized to the life of the financed asset), and are priced on a risk basis that can be below market. The fund is designed to fill the gap between a business's equity and a bank's senior loan, with target sectors including technology, biotechnology, tourism, manufacturing, renewable energy, and government contracting.
- Funding type
- Loan
- Level
- State
- Amount range
- Up to 40% / $1M
- Realistic amount
- Because the loan is capped at 40% of project cost, typical EDLF loans run from roughly $50,0…
- Deadline
- Rolling — applications accepted year-round.
- Status
- active
- States
- Virginia
- Payment model
- loan
Who qualifies
- Must be a small business, not-for-profit, or local development authority in Virginia
- Project should fall in a target sector (technology, biotechnology, tourism, manufacturing, renewable energy, government contracting) or otherwise advance economic growth
- Loan request cannot exceed the lesser of 40% of total project cost or $1,000,000
- Must demonstrate repayment capacity; loan is typically paired with senior bank financing and borrower equity
- Project must support economic growth/expansion in the Commonwealth
What it covers
Eligible expenses
- Working capital
- Owner-occupied commercial real estate
- Machinery and equipment
Ineligible expenses
- Speculative or passive real-estate investment
- Refinancing unrelated existing debt
- Costs outside the approved project budget
How to apply
-
1
Define the project and capital stack
Identify total project cost and assemble the financing structure — borrower equity plus a senior bank loan — leaving the gap that EDLF will fill (up to 40% of cost / $1M).
~6 hrs
-
2
Prepare the EDLF application package
Compile business financials, projections, the project budget, and supporting documents, and submit the EDLF application with the $500 application fee.
~8 hrs
-
3
VSBFA underwriting and approval
VSBFA underwrites the request (generally 7-10 business days for a complete package) and presents to its board/authority for approval where required.
~2 hrs
-
4
Close and draw funds
Execute loan documents and close alongside the senior lender. Funds disburse per the project draw schedule.
~3 hrs
EDLF is gap financing, so come with your senior bank loan and equity already lined up — VSBFA wants to see it taking the subordinate 40% slice, not the whole deal. Below-market, risk-based pricing means a strong projection package directly lowers your rate.
Deadline & timing
No competitive cycle. VSBFA reviews completed application packages on a rolling basis, generally within 7-10 business days.
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Last reviewed 2026. GrantCompass is an independent funding-discovery tool and is not affiliated with any government agency. Always confirm details on the official program page.