Ten small businesses in Delaware have been awarded grants in the sixth round of the Encouraging Development, Growth and Expansion competition.
Since the state government launched EDGE in 2019, $4.2 million has been awarded to 68 promising small businesses. In this round, more than 120 businesses applied for grants.
Businesses that are less than 5 years old and employ no more than 10 employees are eligible for grants up to $100,000 for STEM-based companies and up to $50,000 for others, called the entrepreneur class.
EDGE is a matching grant program. The Division of Small Business matches a winner’s investment on a 3-to-1 basis.
Seven out of the 10 winners are women-owned businesses; three are veteran-owned businesses; and two are owned by minorities. Since the program’s inception, 41% of EDGE winners have been women-owned businesses, and 27% have been minority-owned.
STEM class
A. I. Whoo (Newark) is developing an app for clinicians to remotely conduct gait assessments, used to diagnose disorders in walking patterns. The grant will be used to develop and market the app.
All Azimuth Solutions (Magnolia) is developing an electronic Community Advanced Air Mobility Toolkit for educational and outreach materials. The grant will be used to develop the business.
BioCurie (Wilmington) is developing the world’s first AI-based software for cell and gene therapy. The grant will fund the commercialization of BioCurie’s first product.
Rotulu (Camden) is developing an app that provides real-time busing information for parents and schools. The grant will be used to improve the app.
Voice 4 Impact (Wilmington) has patented technology to create safer and healthier communities. The grant will be used in various ways, including scaling its platform to serve more utilities and tolling and transportation facilities.
Entrepreneur class
BlackDog Behavior and Training LLC (Wilmington) will use the grant to expand into a more sustainable operating model using a standalone space for training activities.
Nourish Markets provides 24-hour access to healthy, affordable and sustainable food. The grant will be used to purchase frictionless hardware equipment so it can open a second location. Its first is at 111 Continental Drive, near Newark, is small, cashier-less convenience store, similar to Amazon Go.
Pink Electrical Services (Clayton) will use the grant to purchase up to two work trucks.
Rail Haus is a German-style beer garden planned for downtown Dover. The grant will be used to purchase outdoor heaters, firepits, trees, sod and a sprinkler system.
Sassy Bee Honey LLC (Bellefonte) is a certified naturally grown apiary. The grant will be used to renovate a 400-square-foot space and purchase equipment.
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