Small Business Innovation (SBIR). Paused as of September 30, 2025. When it reopens, NSF SBIR’s Digital Health topic is our primary target.

Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR). Paused as of September 30, 2025. When it reopens, we will discuss with CU Boulder’s Technology Transfer Office about options.

Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H). Typically employs a solicitation mechanism called an Innovative Solution Opening (ISO), and contract awards are usually in the form of Other Transactions — not traditional grants or cooperative agreements. It’s milestone-driven and aggressive, but their focus on equitable access to high-quality health care, data-driven innovation, and proactive health capacity We are watching SAM.gov for ISOs.

National Institutes of Health R21/R33 — AHRQ Digital Health. The R21 (Exploratory) supports early-stage projects testing feasibility, up to $275,000 over 2 years; the R33 (Development) supports validation and pilot implementation, up to $1,000,000 over 3 years. Requires academic/research partner. We will discuss with CU Boulder.

Early-Stage Capital & Retention Grant — up to $250K For Colorado-based advanced industries technology businesses developing and commercializing advanced technologies. Applications are open and due February 26, 2026 at 5:00pm MT. Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (That deadline may have passed — check immediately and target the July cycle.)

Collaborative Infrastructure Grant — up to $500K For teams of Colorado-based advanced industries businesses and nonprofits developing large-scale projects, with a 2-to-1 non-state matching requirement. Due March 31, 2026 at 5:00pm MT. Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade Could work if you partner with a Colorado health system or academic institution.

Proof of Concept Grant — up to $150K Applications open twice a year, January to March and July to September. Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade Requires a Colorado research institution co-applicant — again, CU Boulder is your lever here.

Export Grant — up to $15K Reimburses international business development and marketing costs for small/medium Colorado businesses. Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade Relevant once you’re pitching internationally.

Boulder Start-Up Week Pitch Competition. Applying in 2026.

Rockies Venture Club — OEDIT-backed angel community in Denver, active in health tech.

Montgomery Blair High School Magnet Alumni.

Johns Hopkins University Alumni.

The College of William & Mary Alumni.

ASU — Venture Devils / Edson E+I ASU offers over $400,000 in startup grant funding through biannual Demo Day events, with seed grants ranging between $1,000 and $20,000. Alumni are eligible for the Venture Devils program. Asu Small dollars but legitimate connection point.

CU Boulder — Venture Partners CU has a direct relationship with OEDIT grants (noted above). Your CU Boulder alumni status is your bridge to the Proof of Concept grant if you can partner with a CU researcher.

Hiring Our Heroes — U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation Awards $10,000 to five veteran- and military spouse-owned businesses each year. Eligible businesses must be majority-owned by veterans or military spouses with 3–20 employees. Applications for 2026 open October 15, 2025. NextSky

Second Service Foundation — Military Entrepreneur Challenge Grants up to $15,000 for veterans, military spouses, and Gold Star family members who pitch their business ideas. Applications open January 2026 for the April event. National Debt Relief

Warrior Rising Provides business training, mentoring, and potential grant funding up to $20,000 for veterans and immediate family members. Requires completing a business development program first. National Debt Relief

Rice Business Veterans Association Pitch Competition $30,000 total in grant funding — $15K first, $10K second, $5K third. Open to veteran entrepreneurs, with applications through January 31, 2026 for the April event.

Cartier Women’s Initiative — $100K + business support Global competition awarding $100,000 grants plus business support to women-led startups. Applications open January–March 2026. Focus on social and environmental impact. Winsomemarketing Strong fit for your complex illness mission.

Amber Grant Foundation $10,000 monthly grants for women entrepreneurs, plus an annual $25,000 award, with a simple application process and rolling deadlines. Winsomemarketing Low barrier to entry — apply monthly.

IFundWomen — rolling, various sponsors Corporate-sponsored grants ($5K–$25K) via their universal grant application. Health and impact missions tend to perform well here.

Women Who Tech Awarded grants up to $20K to women-led technology startups, specifically focused on closing the funding gap for women entrepreneurs. Womenwhotech

Girls in Tech $10,000–$50,000 grants for women-led technology startups through a global program with regional application processes. Winsomemarketing

Fierce Innovation Awards Healthcare industry awards including $25,000 grants for innovative medical technology companies. Winsomemarketing

NAACP Powershift Entrepreneur Grant — $25,000 Aims to empower Black entrepreneurs and businesses through funding and resources. NAACP Check current cycle status.

Google Black Founders Fund Provides non-dilutive cash awards (up to $150K in prior years) to Black-led startups with demonstrated traction, plus Google Cloud credits and mentorship. Applications typically open Q2. Grantboost

SoGal Foundation Black Founder Startup Grant $5,000 education grant plus access to 0% interest loans for Black women or nonbinary entrepreneurs with legally registered businesses and scalable solutions. Grantboost

Health Equity Ventures / Jumpstart Nova Invest specifically in Black-owned healthcare startups. Shopify Investment, not grants — but mission-aligned.

Black Ambition Prize (Pharrell Williams) — up to $50K Designed for businesses led by Black and Hispanic entrepreneurs, first-generation immigrants, and other underrepresented founders. Includes a three-month mentorship program. LendingTree This overlaps your Turkish immigrant identity too.

National Black MBA Association — Scale-Up Pitch Challenge Provides Black entrepreneurs the chance to pitch for significant funding, mentorship, and exposure to investors. Afgcorp

Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) Federal agency providing grants and technical support for minority-owned businesses. Turkish-Americans may qualify under broader MENA/minority designations depending on program specifics — worth a direct inquiry.

Kauffman Foundation Actively supports immigrant-founded startups through programs and fellowships, especially those scaling tech businesses.