Smart Start Business Development Grant Program

The Smart Start Business Development Grant is an initiative administered by the Portsmouth Economic Development Authority (EDA) aimed at supporting new and recently established small businesses and nonprofit organizations located in the City of Portsmouth. The program is designed to foster entrepreneurial growth, improve business resiliency, and enhance organizational capacity among qualifying startups. The grant is a localized effort by a municipal body to spur economic development at the community level, and aligns with broader goals of supporting grassroots business creation and sustainability. The program specifically targets for-profit small businesses and nonprofits operating in Portsmouth that have been active for three years or less. To qualify, applicants must maintain a current City of Portsmouth business license and employ no more than ten full-time equivalent staff. Additional eligibility conditions are imposed on businesses operating from co-working spaces or home-based settings, including requirements for lease documentation and proof of residency. Entities associated with government functions, religious activities, or residential business use are excluded from eligibility. Grant recipients are required to be current on all taxes and fees owed to the City of Portsmouth. The grant award is capped at $2,000 per recipient and is intended for specific eligible uses such as professional services, small-scale equipment purchases, technology upgrades, business furnishings, and certifications. Importantly, recipients must utilize the funds within 90 days of disbursement, with the possibility of a 90-day extension upon request. Ineligible expenses include wages, payroll, rent, operating costs, real estate improvements, supplies, residential-use furniture, and decorative items. Each principal may only submit two applications in a five-year period and may only receive the grant once. To apply, business owners must complete the Quick Start Entrepreneur course offered by Santa Clara University's My Own Business Institute (MOBI) or an approved equivalent. The application process includes submitting a completed application form along with required documents such as a business license, articles of incorporation, proof of residency, business plan, financial statements, and quotes for proposed expenses. The application is reviewed for completeness and eligibility before being presented to the Portsmouth EDA Board of Commissioners, which has sole discretion over funding decisions. The application process follows a defined four-step sequence: completion of the required training, submission of the application and documentation, review by Portsmouth Economic Development staff, and—if approved—execution of a Grant Agreement. Approved applicants must initiate activities within 30 days and complete them within 90 days of award. Extensions are evaluated case-by-case and require formal requests. The grant operates on a recurring quarterly basis with open periods in July, October, January, and April. All documentation must be submitted by the final day of each application round, and failure to submit complete materials by the deadline will result in automatic denial. Applicants are encouraged to contact Portsmouth Economic Development at 757-393-8804 for assistance. The program is fully funded by the Portsmouth EDA, and awards are made contingent upon fund availability and board approval.

Ensure submission of all documentation by deadline or application will be denied; complete course before starting application