Small Business Grants in Wyoming
Most small business funding in Wyoming is administered by the Wyoming Business Council and the Wyoming Department of Workforce Services. Read each card first.
Most small business funding in Wyoming is administered by the Wyoming Business Council and the Wyoming Department of Workforce Services. Read each card first. The cards say which is which, and what is open. These programs support startups, workforce training, market expansion, and innovation across all 23 counties.
Which Wyoming grants fit your business?
Answer 7 quick questions and we sort the 12 programs on this page into likely fits and long shots. Nothing personal is asked or stored, and final eligibility is always decided by the granting agency.
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How much do you need?
Amounts on this page run from $500 at Lendio to $5,000,000 at Fundera. Under $10,000 on a factor rate product is where the fast lenders get expensive.
Approval is the lender's decision. Nothing is stored.
Wyoming Small Business Grant Programs
State-administered funding programs available to Wyoming small businesses. Verify deadlines directly with the granting agency before applying.
SBIR/STTR Matching Grant Program
Wyoming Business Council
$70,000-$200,000
RollingProvides state matching funds for Wyoming companies that have received federal SBIR or STTR Phase I or Phase II awards. First-time Phase I awardees can receive up to $100,000, repeat Phase I awardees up to $70,000, and Phase II awardees up to $200,000.
Market Expansion Grant
Wyoming Business Council
Up to $4,000
RollingA reimbursement grant covering 75% of costs your business incurs while expanding into new markets outside Wyoming. You must be a for-profit business based in Wyoming with annual revenue under $5,000,000 and at least half your workforce in the state.
State Trade Expansion Program (STEP) Grant
Wyoming Business Council
Up to $5,000
Deadline Sep 29, 2027Reimburses 75% of eligible expenses for international marketing events. You must meet SBA eligibility requirements, be based in Wyoming, and employ at least one full-time employee. Up to two awards per grant period are available.
Business Training Grants (WDTF)
Wyoming Department of Workforce Services
$3,000 to $4,000 per trainee, up to $75,000 per business each year
Apply any time, 30 to 110 days before training startsHelps Wyoming businesses fix employee skill gaps or upgrade current skills. Funding is $3,000 per trainee each fiscal year, rising to $4,000 for preferred industries (construction, manufacturing, healthcare and social assistance, finance and insurance, technology, and hospitality and tourism), capped at $75,000 per business each fiscal year. Applications can be submitted at any time and must land 30 to 110 days before training begins. Approval is not guaranteed.
Wyoming Safety Improvement Fund
Wyoming Department of Workforce Services
Up to $10,000
Rolling (July 1 - June 30)Funds health and safety training programs or safety equipment purchases that go beyond regulatory requirements. A 10% monetary match from your business is required. Applications are evaluated on a first-come, first-served basis.
Startup: Wyoming Regional Challenge Sponsorship
Wyoming Business Council
Up to $25,000 (dollar-for-dollar match)
RollingMatches local fundraising dollar-for-dollar up to $25,000 per startup challenge event. Sponsorship funds can be used for event programming, marketing, and coaching sessions. This program supports regional startup ecosystems rather than individual businesses directly.
Internship Grants (WDTF)
Wyoming Department of Workforce Services
Up to $25/hour for up to 480 hours
Rolling (first 7 days of each month)Reimburses wages for structured internship learning experiences at your business. Internships can last up to 480 hours over six months, and businesses can host up to six internships per state fiscal year.
Kickstart Grant Program
Wyoming Business Council
$5,000-$50,000
Rolling (quarterly cycles)Non-dilutive grant funding for growth-oriented Wyoming startups. Your business must be founded in Wyoming, have no more than 25 employees, and demonstrate potential for high-growth markets outside the state. Three grants are awarded each calendar quarter through a competitive pitch process.
Federal Grant Programs
These federal programs are available to small businesses in every state.
SBA 7(a) Loan Program
The SBA's primary lending program guarantees loans through participating lenders. This is a loan, not a grant. But the terms favor small businesses that may not qualify for conventional financing.
Learn moreSBA Microloan Program
Loans up to $50,000, not grants. You borrow from a nonprofit lender near you, not from the SBA itself. The money can cover working capital, inventory, supplies or equipment. Most people get far less than the cap. The average microloan is about $13,000.
Learn moreSBIR/STTR Grants
Competitive federal grants for small businesses doing research and development with commercial potential. Eleven federal agencies take part. Phase I funds proof of concept. Phase II funds full development.
Learn moreMinority Business Development Agency (MBDA) Programs
Help for minority owned businesses that need capital, contracts or new markets. MBDA runs business centers around the country. They give advice, help with bids, and point you toward lenders.
Learn moreGet Grant-Ready
Before you apply, most Wyoming grant programs expect these basics to be in place.
Form your business entity
Most Wyoming grant programs require applicants to be a registered LLC, corporation, or nonprofit. If you haven't formed yet, that's the first step.
$39 + state fee. Includes registered agent, business address, and more.
Get your EIN
An Employer Identification Number is free from the IRS and required on nearly every grant application. You can apply online and receive it immediately.
Open a business bank account
Grant funds need to go into a dedicated business account, not your personal checking. Most agencies will ask for your banking details on the application.
Mercury is a fintech company, not an FDIC-insured bank. Banking services provided through Choice Financial Group and Column N.A., Members FDIC.
Grants by Business Type
Targeted programs for specific business owners in Wyoming.
Women-owned Business Grants
The Wyoming Women's Business Center (WWBC) provides counseling, training, and micro-finance programs specifically for women entrepreneurs. The WWBC offers microloans, business coaching, and artist development programs across the state.
- ›Wyoming Women's Business Center
- ›SBA Women's Business Centers
Rural Business Grants
Most of Wyoming qualifies as rural, making businesses eligible for USDA rural development programs and Wyoming Business Council rural initiatives. The Business Ready Community program funds public infrastructure that supports rural businesses.
- ›Wyoming Business Council
- ›USDA Rural Development
- ›Business Ready Community Program
Technology/Innovation Business Grants
Wyoming offers strong support for tech startups through the SBIR/STTR Matching Grant Program, which provides up to $200,000 in state matching funds. The Wyoming SBDC Network's WSSI initiative provides free technical assistance for SBIR/STTR applications.
- ›SBIR/STTR Matching Grant Program
- ›Wyoming SBDC Network WSSI
Tips for Applying in Wyoming
Increase your chances of approval with these state-specific tips.
- 1Register your business with the Wyoming Secretary of State and ensure good standing with Workers' Compensation and Unemployment Insurance before applying to any state grant program.
- 2For Workforce Development Training Fund grants, complete the one-time registration in the DWS Grant Management System at least 2 weeks before you plan to apply, and submit applications only during the first 7 calendar days of each month.
- 3Use the free Wyoming Grant Assistance Program (WYGAP) for no-cost technical assistance with identifying, applying for, and managing grants. Email [email protected] to get started.
- 4Kickstart Grant applications are reviewed quarterly, so plan your submission timing around quarter-end deadlines for the best chance at a timely review.
- 5Contact a Wyoming SBDC Network advisor for free, confidential help with business plans, financial projections, and grant proposal writing before submitting any application.
State Economic Development Agency
Wyoming Business Council
The Wyoming Business Council supports economic development statewide by offering grant programs, loan products, and startup resources to help Wyoming businesses launch, grow, and expand into new markets.
Funding While You Wait
Grant applications in Wyoming can take weeks or months to process. These options can bridge the gap.
Grants in Other States
All state grant guidesFrequently Asked Questions
Yes. Wyoming offers several true grant programs that do not require repayment. The Kickstart Grant Program through the Wyoming Business Council provides $5,000 to $50,000 in non-dilutive funding for growth-oriented startups. The SBIR/STTR Matching Grant Program offers up to $200,000 to match federal innovation awards. The Market Expansion Grant reimburses up to $4,000 for out-of-state expansion costs. The Wyoming Department of Workforce Services also offers Business Training Grants and the Safety Improvement Fund, which do not require repayment.
The Business Training Grants through the Wyoming Department of Workforce Services' Workforce Development Training Fund are among the most widely used. They help businesses of all sizes address employee skill gaps with funding of up to $5,000 per trainee in preferred industries and up to $200,000 per business per fiscal year. The Kickstart Grant Program from the Wyoming Business Council is the most prominent direct-to-business grant, awarding $5,000 to $50,000 quarterly to eligible startups.
No. Most Wyoming state grant programs, including the Kickstart Grant, SBIR Matching Grant, and Workforce Development Training Fund grants, do not require minority or women-owned business certification. However, if you are a woman entrepreneur, the Wyoming Women's Business Center offers additional resources including microloans, business coaching, and training programs. For federal programs like MBDA grants or SBA-backed certifications, formal certification may improve your eligibility or competitiveness.
Timelines vary by program. The Kickstart Grant reviews applications on a quarterly cycle, so expect 3 to 4 months from submission to decision. The SBIR Matching Grant evaluates applications on a rolling basis, with notification within two weeks of your pitch, followed by a contract process of up to 45 days. Business Training Grants through DWS take approximately 2 to 3 weeks for review. The STEP Grant approval typically takes 5 to 10 business days, with contract processing adding up to 30 working days.
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Grant programs change frequently. Deadlines, eligibility requirements, and funding amounts listed here may be outdated. Always verify information directly with the granting agency before applying. This page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial or legal advice.
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