Grants and free programs for small businesses in Tennessee

Nationwide programs and other states: Free grants, ad credits and software for small businesses

Check datesCash plus in-kindLow-income communities

Inner City Capital Connections (ICCC) Memphis Cohort

FedEx and ICICFor businessesLocal programs in Tennessee

FedEx backs the tuition-free ICCC Memphis Cohort, a five-month hybrid accelerator run by ICIC for established small businesses in under-resourced communities. Participants work on strategy, financial discipline and capital readiness, and can compete in a capstone pitch for grants of $2,500, $1,500 and $1,000. The 2026 cohort's application deadline was September 3 and it kicked off September 24, 2026; neither page announces a next cohort.

What you get: Tuition-free 5-month accelerator plus pitch grants of $2,500, $1,500 or $1,000
Who qualifies: Small business located in an under-resourced community
In operation for at least three years
Generating $100K+ in annual revenue
Memphis cohort (in-person opening seminar at Epicenter Memphis)
How to apply: Submit the ICCC application form linked from the FedEx Cares and ICIC pages (2026 deadline: September 3)
Attend the in-person opening seminar in Memphis
Complete the five-month hybrid program and pitch at the capstone for grant awards

Go to the program

Program page checked on October 16, 2026. The amount or dates aren't published, so confirm them on the program page.

Check datesCash grant

TVA Economic Development Performance Grants (including Special Opportunities County and Workforce+)

Tennessee Valley AuthorityFor businessesOnly in 7 states: TN, AL, GA, KY, MS, NC, VA

TVA's Valley Incentive Programs include Performance Grants paid directly to companies for competitive economic development projects that create jobs in the seven-state Tennessee Valley, with amounts based on the project's five-year economic impact and set at TVA's discretion. The Special Opportunities County (SOC) Performance Grant supports smaller projects in counties with greater economic need, and Workforce+ funds companies' talent pipeline plans. Companies work with TVA Economic Development and their local power company.

What you get: Amount not stated (based on five-year economic impact)
Who qualifies: Company locating or expanding with a competitive economic development project in the TVA service region (all of Tennessee and parts of Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina and Virginia)
Funding is discretionary and based on the project's five-year economic impact and power-system metrics
SOC grants target smaller projects in designated counties with greater economic needs; Workforce+ requires an approved talent pipeline development plan
How to apply: Contact TVA Economic Development (EconDev@TVA.com) or your local power company's economic development staff about your project
Work with TVA's team to build the project profile used to set incentive levels
If approved, the grant is paid directly to the company

Go to the program

Program page checked on October 16, 2026. The amount or dates aren't published, so confirm them on the program page.

Every program here was checked against the provider's own website on the date shown on its card. Offers change, so confirm the details on the program page before you apply. GrantFinder isn't affiliated with these companies.