Shopify releases a 2026 guide covering 40 Small business grants

Shopify, the e-commerce platform company, just published a 2026 guide covering 40 Small business grants to help entrepreneurs find non-repayable funding. Developing products, researching market trends, and securing inventory add up fast for startup owners. Securing business financing before proving a concept can be difficult, but grants offer money you do not have to pay back.

There has been a 33 percent drop in grant opportunities over the past year, making finding the right fit and submitting a strong application essential. Shopify's guide covers government-backed grants, private funding, eligibility rules, and common pitfalls to avoid. Grants are awarded by federal, state, and local government agencies, private corporations, or nonprofit organizations.

Unlike loans, you do not need to repay grant money or plan for monthly cash flow repayments. However, grants are more competitive than loans, and most issuers require you to meet specific criteria like operating in a particular industry or region. Issuers also restrict fund usage to approved expenses and often ask for progress reports.

In a 2025 Shopify survey of established e-commerce store owners, 79 percent reported using profits to self-fund growth, while 62 percent used outside funding. Entrepreneurs Niki and Ritika Shamdasani raised $100,000 from college grants and $100,000 from a local accelerator to launch their clothing company Sani.

The U.S. Small Business Administration, the federal agency that backs entrepreneurs with funding and resources, coordinates various grant programs. Programs include the State Trade Expansion Program for global expansion, veteran assistance programs, the Women-Owned Small Business Federal Contract program, and the HUBZone program for underutilized business zones. Reviewing eligibility requirements before applying saves time on grants that do not suit your business.