Eligibility Requirements:

Rise Up Grant for small businesses:

• Revenue: The business must be revenue generating under $50K
• Business size: The business may or may not have any employees
• Business type: The business must be a for-profit business operating in Aurora
• Business stage: The business must be in the start-up stage and in operation for less than 2 years
• Business purpose: The business must have a clear mission and purpose
• Financial need: The business must demonstrate a clear need for funding and how the grant funds will be used.
• Impact: The business must demonstrate how the grant funds will have a positive impact on the business and the broader community
• Two (2) grants will be awarded in 2023

Scale Up Grant for small businesses:

• Revenue: The business must be revenue generating between $51K and $200K
• Business size: The business should have at least 1 employee or contract employee equivalent
• Business type: The business must be a for-profit business operating in Aurora
• Business stage: The business must be in operation for at least 2+ years
• Business purpose: The business must have a clear mission and purpose
• Financial need: The business must demonstrate a clear need for funding and how the grant funds will be used.
• Impact: The business must demonstrate how the grant funds will have a positive impact on the business and the broader community
• Two (2) grants will be awarded in 2023

The grant application process is now open and will close on August 25, 2023. Small businesses can apply by completing the application form on the link below. All applications will be reviewed, finalists will be interviewed and the recipients will be chosen.

Key dates are as follows:

• Applications Intake: July 10 – August 25, 2023
• Application Review: August 28 - September 22, 2023
• Notification to recipients: September 29, 2023
• Presentation: Business Excellence Celebration, October 18, 2023