Part A · Startup-specific scheme
MBDA Capital Readiness Program (Capital Readiness Program)
Minority Business Development Agency (US Dept. of Commerce)
Incubation
Seed / Early-Stage
The largest federal program of its kind, CRP funds organizations to run capacity-building programs — training, pitch development, investor connections — that help underserved founders become investable, complementing the state-run SSBCI capital itself.
Type of support
Incubation
Best suited for
Early-Stage
Headline amount
N/A — funds intermediary organizations, not companies directly
How much
N/A — indirect via funded accelerators/incubators
Objectives
Close the readiness gap that keeps otherwise-promising underserved founders from successfully accessing SSBCI and other capital sources.
Who can apply?
- Applicants are incubators, accelerators, and similar intermediary organizations, not individual startups applying directly.
- A founder benefits by joining a CRP-funded accelerator/incubator cohort in their region.
What do you get?
- CRP grantees have enrolled 6,000+ entrepreneurs, helping them raise $263M+ in capital, form 2,600+ new businesses, and develop 1,700+ investor pitches to date.
How to apply
Individual founders don't apply directly — find a CRP-funded organization in your region via MBDA's program page.
Key links
Details as most recently confirmed against the official source linked above. Deadlines, amounts and windows change — verify on the official portal before applying.