W7energy is one of ten Delaware small business awardees of the first-ever EDGE Grants from the State of Delaware Division of Small Business.
Ten small businesses announced as EDGE Grant awardees
Ten Delaware small businesses were recognized Wednesday as the awardees of the first-ever EDGE Grants from the state Division of Small Business.
Gov. John Carney and Division Director Damian DeStefano announced the companies at an event at the Carvel State Office Building in Wilmington. The grant recipients, located across the state, represent a variety of industries, including agribusiness, medical devices, food services and apparel. They include woman-owned, minority-owned and veteran-owned businesses.
“Delaware is fortunate to have a vibrant small business community comprised of 25,000 companies that employ more than half of all Delaware workers,” Gov. Carney said. “Through these grants, the State of Delaware is helping to support small business owners who take risks to realize their dreams of building companies from the ground up.”
The state is awarding a total of 10 grants. Five in the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) class totaling $500,000 and five in the Entrepreneur class tallying $248,000. The businesses are putting up almost $375,000 in matching funds.
“These grants will assist these creative, driven entrepreneurs get the capital support they need to reach their full potential,” said Secretary of State Jeff Bullock. “They will help the companies grow and level the playing field as they compete against larger, more established businesses.”
The innovative program launched in May and had more than 140 companies apply. Eight finalists were selected in the STEM class and eight in the Entrepreneur class. Five winners in each category were chosen after public presentations before a panel of judges on Aug. 13 and 14 at Del Tech in Dover.
“It was challenging to narrow a field filled with so many great applicants,” said DeStefano. “Over two days our team of judges listened carefully to the presentations, asked thoughtful questions, and offered valuable insights and comments.”