Grant Programs
Granite State Technology Innovation Grant
A new grant program to help businesses solve tough scientific or engineering problems. Application deadlines are November 15, 2006, and March 15, 2007. Applications for projects in bioinformatics, computational tools, environmental technologies, geospatial analysis, information technology, materials science, medical technologies, nanotechnology, optics, precision engineering, robotics and sensors are encouraged. Awards range from $20,000 to $100,000 and require a 1:1 match of cash or in kind contributions from the company.
Small Business Administration/Federal Grants
The Small Business Administration (SBA) offers a limited number of grant programs generally designed to expand and enhance organizations that provide small business management, technical, or financial assistance. These grants generally support nonprofit organizations, intermediary lending institutions, and state and local governments rather than individual businesses.
Loan Programs
Citizen's Bank Jobs Program
This $150 million New England-wide financing initiative provides qualified businesses with up to $10 million in financing at below-market financing of just 4.99% APR. In exchange for the below market financing, these companies will create full-time jobs for New Hampshire residents within three years of completing their expansion projects.
MicroCredit NH
MicroCredit-NH provides self-employed and small business entrepreneurs with loans of up to $10,000 for participating business members.
Ocean National Energy Efficiency Program
Ocean’s Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Business Loan is designed to help New Hampshire businesses lower energy costs with a reduced interest rate loan. Participating businesses can use the loan for structural and equipment improvements that will reduce energy consumption, thereby saving their business money and helping to conserve energy.
Small Business Administration (SBA) Loans
The Small Business Administration (SBA) offers numerous loan programs to assist small businesses, primarily as a guarantor of loans made by private institutions.
City of Nashua Revolving Loan Fund for Businesses
The City of Nashua's Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) is provides loans of up to $100,000 for permanent working capital and fixed asset financing for startup and existing businesses in the Nashua area.
Venture/Angel Capital
Borealis Ventures
Borealis Ventures is a seed and early stage venture capital firm focused on investing in companies in Northern New England.
The Breakfast Club
The Breakfast Club is an informal group of angel investors with a focus on high tech business opportunities.
CEI Community Ventures
CEI Ventures wholly-owned subsidiary of Coastal Enterprizes, Inc. ("CEI"), a not-for-profit Community Development Corporation, that manages two venture capital funds with total commitments of $25.54 million. These funds make equity investments in companies with the potential to grow profitably and provide attractive financial returns. CEI seeks to create quality employment opportunities, promote progressive management practices, support socially beneficial products and services to benefit qualifying communities including certain portions of the City of Nashua.
Northeast Angels
Northeast Angels is an early-stage investment group which works with entrepreneurs and businesses located in the Northeast with a focus on opportunities located around the business corridor between Manchester and Nashua, New Hampshire and surrounding communities.
Vested For Growth
Vested for Growth (VfG) is a resource to help New Hampshire entrepreneurs and their employees realize their shared ambitions. (VfG) was launched by the New Hampshire Community Loan Fund to put capital and tested tools to work for small businesses in New Hampshire (Purpose). It is rooted in a business philosophy that entrepreneurs outperform their peers in growth and profitability when they engage their employees in decision-making and share profits with them.