City of Iowa City Grant Programs

There are not currently any small business grants available through the City of Iowa City. You can sign up for Iowa City news to be notified when new opportunities are announced. 

City Grant Programs

• Building Change Grant Program: 50/50 matching grant to support facade, accessibility, energy efficiency improvements in the Downtown, Northside Marketplace, Riverfront Crossings, and Towncrest commercial areas. Applications due Monday November 17th. 

Partner Grant Programs

• Grants to Small Indigenous Businesses: Made possible through funding support from the City of Iowa City, the House of Dotlizhi is offering workshops and a grant program targeting Indigenous-owned businesses who reside in Iowa City.

• Downtown Grant & Funding Programs: The Iowa City Downtown District occasionally offers various grant and funding programs for downtown businesses and property owners.

Partner Loan Programs

• Targeted Small Business Program: The certified Targeted Small Business (TSB) program is designed to help women, individuals with minority status, service-connected disabled veterans and individuals with disabilities overcome some of the hurdles to start or grow a small business in Iowa. Support for TSBs can occur either through an official third-party certification of the business or through the low-interest TSB loan program.

• Kiva Iowa 0% Interest Loan: Zero interest, zero fee, extended grace period microloan program (up to $15,000) for small business owners and entrepreneurs. NewBoCo serves as the statewide hub for Iowa entrepreneurs seeking Kiva financing and can assist with the lending process. This may be a good option if you are a woman, person of color, or someone with a low or no credit score.

• SSBCI Small Business Collateral Support Program: Helps small businesses offset collateral shortfalls as they secure loans through commercial lenders. This may be a good fit for small businesses that are 51% owned by women, individuals from diverse backgrounds, veterans, individuals with disabilities, and long-term rural residents; and small businesses that enhance arts and culture in Iowa.

   

• Iowa Center Loan Fund: Small business loans (up to $50,000) for Iowans starting or expanding a business who do not have access to traditional forms of financial assistance. In addition to financing, Loan Fund clients receive education and technical assistance regarding the loan process and credit counseling to improve credit histories. This may be a good option for low-income business owners, business owners in economically distressed areas, and diverse or historically-disadvantaged business owners.

• Small Business Administration Microloan Program: Small business loans (up to $50,000 or co-financing arrangement up to $150,000) for small businesses looking to start, expand, or refinance.The SBA’s microloan program is administered through intermediaries. Currently, the Iowa Center for Economic Success and Iowa MicroLoan are the two SBA microlenders in Iowa. Please contact one of these agencies for more information.

• Multicultural Development Center Funding Programs: Underestimated entrepreneurs and business owners who participate in certain Multicultural Development Center programs may be eligible for credit-building, small dollar, and micro-loans.

• Iowa Community Capital: Offers credit builder loans, small dollar loans, and microloans; targeting low-income entrepreneurs and underserved populations with difficulty accessing traditional financing.

• Business Resource Center: Located at MERGE in downtown Iowa City, offers expert guidance to business owners and entrepreneurs through 1:1 consultations in the areas of financial management, legal compliance, marketing, IT, and more.

• Greater Iowa City, Inc: Functioning as the Chamber of Commerce within the Iowa City area, Greater Iowa City, Inc. offers a variety of small business and entrepreneurial programming and resources, including a Business Support Hub.

• Dream City: Assists entrepreneurs and small business owners with navigating and connecting to various business and economic development resources. COMING SOON: With the aid of a $3 million funding award from the City of Iowa City, Dream City is developing a regional entrepreneur and inclusive economic development hub, which will offer workshops, mentoring, small business resources, outreach and engagement support, and commercial kitchen space.

• Multicultural Development Center of Iowa: Provides programs, services, and technical assistance for underserved and underestimated community members such as business plan training, STEM skills training, mentoring programs, financial literacy workshops, and a BIPOC Business Accelerator program.

• Iowa Center for Economic Success: Aims to empowers Iowans to launch, manage, and grow a small business. Offers educational series, workshops, and groups and 1:1 business coaching.

• Small Business Development Center: Offers small business counseling in a wide variety of topics and areas of business. This is a good fit for small businesses in all stages seeking expert counseling in managing and growing a small business.

• Newbo Co Services for Startups: Provides a range of services designed to bring your ideas to market, including software development, consulting, UI/UX design, hardware prototyping and engineering, innovation services, and copyediting and copywriting, WordPress development, marketing consulting. Cost for services. 

Workforce Skills & Training

• Co-Working & Office Space: Greater Iowa City Inc. manages several co-working spaces in the Iowa City Area.

• English Language Learning: A list of free English language classes offered in Johnson County is available on the Welcome IC Area webpage: https://welcomeicarea.org/.

• STEM Factory and INNOV8 Lab: Offered by the Multicultural Development Center of Iowa (located in Iowa City), STEM Factory helps participants gain skills in the STEM field such as C+, Python, UI/UX design, web design, mobile app creation, IoT device development, 3D design and printing, and more. The INNOV8 Lab is a free makerspace offering a variety of maker equipment including 3D printers, laser cutters, CNC machines, soldering irons, and sewing machines. People of color are encouraged to explore these resources. Membership is free, however advance registration and reservation is required.

   

• Wright House of Fashion: Offers both youth-only and all-ages classes and workshops in skill areas including graphic design, fashion and merchandising, branding, and some STEM topics. Photo studio, recording studio, incubator space, and event space available for a fee.

Small Business Coaching & Accelerator Programs

• MDC Iowa’s BIPOC Business Accelerator Program: The Multicultural Development Center of Iowa offers the INCUBATE business accelerator and incubator program focused on helping Early Stage and startup BIPOC-owned businesses in Johnson County. In addition, program participants will be exposed to professional services including legal, accounting, product development, rapid prototyping, debt financing, and other support services. This business incubator program focuses on the needs of entrepreneurs from historically disadvantaged and underserved communities.

•  JPEC’s Business Consulting: Strategic management consulting services to alumni and Iowa-based businesses and organizations in a wide variety of industries. Consulting assistance ranges from market research, competitive analysis, product development research, revenue stream analysis, marketing and social media, international expansion, and general business strategy. This program is a good fit for businesses who can dedicate at least 2-3 hours per week to the consultant team. Free.

• JPEC Venture School: Training program for entrepreneurs and startups which assists with real-world experimentation, customer discovery, and Lean LaunchPad methodologies. Initial cost to participate, however funding awards can be won at completion of the program.

• Iowa Startup Accelerator: Business accelerator program offering a wide variety of consulting and technical assistance services. This program is a good fit for coachable, passionate Iowa-based businesses with a vetted business idea. Businesses that are registered in Iowa (LLC, C-Corp, S-Corp, etc.) and have an established MVP or beta product/service, leadership team or advisors, and market traction with demonstrated revenue are preferred.

• SCORE East Central Iowa: Free, confidential mentoring to help entrepreneurs start, growing, and fix their small business.

• Greater Iowa City, Inc: Serves as local chamber of commerce. Greater IC hosts 150+ events each year, weekly referral groups, and several community leadership programs. Everyone is a member for free with open access to many resources. Paid investors access additional benefits.

• Self-Supporting Municipal Improvement Districts: Businesses currently located or seeking to relocate within the geographical boundaries of the Iowa City Downtown District or South of 6 Business District are encouraged to contact these respective organizations for more information about how they can support your business.

• MDCI Connect Mentoring Program: The Multicultural Development Center of Iowa offers a mentoring program seeking to address racial equity by connecting mentees with qualified mentors.

• EntreFEST: Two-day conference held annually in the Iowa City area, which celebrates the spirit of entrepreneurship and innovation. This is a great learning and networking opportunity for professionals from every level. Cost to register.

• 1 Million Cups Iowa City: Every week, entrepreneurs present business ideas to the local community and learn how those around them can support their business in its growth. This opportunity is a good fit for entrepreneurs looking to refine their elevator pitch to a diverse audience, access training programs, and engage with a network for support. Free.

• Women Lead Change: Offer a variety of leadership development and networking opportunities and events focused on supporting women leaders in the Iowa City/Cedar Rapids metro area. Offer free and paid resources.

• Her Tech Collaborative: Community dedicated to closing the gender gap in tech and providing a networking community for Women in Tech, based in Iowa City. Free.

• Immigrant Entrepreneurs Summit: Regional annual summit focused on the immigrant entrepreneur experience, but serving a diverse community of entrepreneurs, business owners, and supporters. Cost to register.

• EntrePartners: Local weekend workshops dedicating to starting and growing your business. Cost to register.