Tampa Entrepreneur Support Hub

Tampa Entrepreneur Support Hub

The City of Tampa's Tampa Entrepreneur Support Hub is designed to address gaps in the availability of mentorship, training, technical assistance and access to resources for small businesses and entrepreneurs. Funded by a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), the initiative supports entrepreneurs looking to start, strengthen and expand their businesses within the City of Tampa.

Through business incubator support, technical assistance and scale-up services, entrepreneurs will gain access to the tools, coaching and resources they need to succeed. Upon successful completion of an entrepreneur's individualized program components, eligible businesses may also qualify for a microgrant to support their business growth.

Microgrant Opportunities

Eligible entrepreneurs who complete required technical assistance through a City-funded or approved partner organization may qualify for a City of Tampa Entrepreneur Microgrant. Because this is an income-based, federally funded program, all applicants must meet applicable City and CDBG eligibility requirements at the time of application.

Entrepreneurs interested in applying must first complete the required technical assistance and have a Microgrant Referral Form submitted on their behalf. Referral forms should be submitted to SBN@tampagov.net. Submission of a referral does not guarantee approval but allows the City to determine preliminary eligibility.

All referrals must be submitted by Sept. 15, 2026.

Currently Available Microgrants

BASE Grant - Business Assistance for Startup Establishments

The BASE Grant supports early-stage entrepreneurs starting a new microenterprise or operating a business for less than 12 months. Eligible businesses may receive up to $1,500.

STEP Grant - Stabilization and Technical Expansion Program

The STEP Grant is designed for established microenterprises that have been in operation for 12 months or more. Eligible businesses may receive up to $3,000.

SCALE Grant - Supporting Capital Access for Local Enterprises

The SCALE Grant supports microenterprises seeking to secure a commercial microloan but needing assistance meeting the lender's required owner contribution.

Use of Funds

Entrepreneur Microgrants provide flexible funding to support small businesses. These funds are specifically designed to help you establish, stabilize or expand your business.

Eligibility Requirements

Eligibility and other required information must be documented, evaluated and determined prior to receiving an Entrepreneur Microgrant.

Business Size

Microenterprise only, with five or fewer employees (full-time equivalents), including the owner(s).

Business Location

Your microenterprise must operate within Tampa city limits. Use the Tampa City Limits interactive map. If your address doesn't have a "T" prefix in the map results, it is outside the city limits and not eligible.

Income Requirements (LMI)

Owner income: Your total household income must be at or below 80% of the Area Median Income (AMI). Use the HUD Income Limits Chart to determine if the low- and moderate-income (LMI) criteria -- 80% AMI or below -- is met. You will need to provide proof of income and assets when you apply.

LMI area benefit: If your business provides goods or services to a neighborhood where at least 51% of residents are in the LMI category, you may qualify. Contact the Small Business Navigator to see if your location meets these criteria at tampa.gov/SBN.

Technical Assistance

Entrepreneurs must complete technical assistance services that support entrepreneurial success, business sustainability and produce a business plan or strategy document before receiving a referral from a City-funded organization or approved partner as of July 1, 2025.

How to Get Started

The first step is to submit a Microgrant Referral Form, which serves as an initial screening tool to determine if basic eligibility requirements are met. Submission of a referral does not guarantee final approval. All referrals must be submitted by the deadline of Sept. 15, 2026.

Where to Get Business Technical Assistance

Community Partners Funded by the City of Tampa

Florida SBDC at USF and Tampa Bay Women's Business Centre have been awarded CDBG funds through a Request for Applications (RFA) process for the delivery of the following economic development services in support of Tampa's entrepreneurs.

Tampa Bay Women's Business Centre

Services are available for microenterprise entrepreneurs through one-on-one technical assistance as well as incubation support services (cohort-based) to early-stage entrepreneurs through their Start-Up Academy.

Florida Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at USF

Services are available for microenterprise entrepreneurs through one-on-one technical assistance and for small businesses through scale-up services provided by their Growth Acceleration Program.

Additional Participating Community Partners

Businesses that attended similar programs including at least 20 hours of consulting time and completed a business plan after July 1, 2025, may qualify for the grant program. The agency providing the coaching and technical assistance will need to complete the Microgrant Referral Form and provide information about the incubator curriculum or details of services provided.

Prospera

Provides one-on-one business consulting, bilingual training seminars and individualized support services, including access to capital and business advancement resources, for entrepreneurs at all stages.

Tampa Bay Chamber of Commerce - Tampa Bay Business Accelerator Program

Services are available to small businesses through cohort-based accelerator programming designed to support business growth, including assistance with access to capital, strategic connections and operational scaling.

SCORE Tampa

Provides free, confidential one-on-one business mentoring, as well as workshops, webinars and business resources to support entrepreneurs at all stages.

Jim Moran Institute for Global Entrepreneurship

Services are available to established small business owners and nonprofit leaders through cohort-based executive education programs, CEO peer groups and strategic training focused on leadership, operations and long-term growth.

Participating SCALE Grant Lenders

If you are applying for a SCALE Grant, you can explore microloan options through these participating lenders:

Contact the Small Business Navigator

Interested small businesses and microenterprise entrepreneurs can contact the SBDC at USF or Tampa Bay Women's Centre directly, or schedule a consultation with the City of Tampa's Small Business Navigator. The Navigator will help determine if you and your business meet the minimum eligibility criteria for the funded programs and provide additional resources.