The Hartford Small Business Accelerator Grant Program 2026 - 2027 - New & Expanding Grants
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The Hartford, in partnership with Main Street America, is offering a series of grants to fund small business accelerator projects in select Main Street districts. The program will help Main Street districts provide important interim space for fostering entrepreneurship, where business owners can showcase their products and services and receive support and mentorship. By supporting places such as pop-up shops, business incubators, coworking and other innovative spaces, the grant program aims to help entrepreneurs access affordable real estate.
The Small Business Accelerator Grant Program is built on The Hartford and Main Street America’s mutual belief in the importance of strong local economies and the vital role small businesses play in our country. We respect and appreciate the passion they bring to serve their communities. We also recognize the challenges and growth barriers they face.
The Small Business Accelerator Program aims to make the lives of small businesses easier by providing them with place-based resources, mentorship, and funding to help cultivate entrepreneurial success. This program is a testament to the vision we share for Main Streets and helps us create ecosystems where small businesses can flourish.
The grant opportunities are available for a select group of Main Street communities based on a demonstrated commitment to entrepreneurial ecosystem work and readiness to launch a project of this scale. See the list of eligible communities here.
About the Grant Program | How to Apply
From Wednesday, March 18, 2026, at 12 p.m. CT to Monday, April 27, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. CT, select eligible communities can apply for the following grants opportunities:
- New & Expanding Grants - Three (3) grants of $100,000 each to eligible communities to launch, establish, and operate a new physical small business accelerator site, pop-up shop space, or incubator site; OR to physically expand and operate an existing site. The grant is to establish and operate the accelerator or related project or activity as follows:
$75,000 for project execution and capital (construction);
$25,000 for program capacity and project management
Small Business Accelerator Enhancement Grants - Upon submitting a final report on the use of their New & Expanding, Operating, or Sustaining Grant, The Hartford Small Business Accelerator Grantees with open and operating physical accelerator sites may apply for an additional $50,000 grant. Those Grantees may apply for one of three (3) additional Small Business Accelerator Enhancement Grants of $50,000 each to subgrant directly to the entrepreneurs and small business owner participants or graduates of their accelerator site or program funded by The Hartford.
Looking for information on the application for the Operational Support Grants of $25,000 for an existing and operating physical accelerator sites towards enhancing their ongoing services and reach? Visit the program landing page here or see the Terms & Conditions.
Informational Webinar | Tuesday, March 24, 2026 at 1:00 PM CT
Webinar Recording - Passcode: T.K4SzR.
Why is this work important?
Entrepreneurship is a critical pathway to economic opportunity and inclusive wealth-building. However, access to affordable space and limited brand awareness are barriers to small business growth. The Small Business Accelerator Grant Program will help Main Street districts provide important interim space for fostering entrepreneurship and nurturing innovative business ideas; where business owners can showcase their products and services and receive support and mentorship, while building stronger, more resilient local economies. This grant program is meant to leverage real estate as a mobilizer for small business scaling and success through the establishment and/or operation of a small business accelerator project.
What is a small business accelerator project?
A small business accelerator project is one that fuels community and economic development through jumpstarting small businesses and/or entrepreneurs toward successful and sustainable trajectories. Examples include:
- Pop-up shops
- Co-working spaces
- Shipping container shops
- Shared commercial kitchens
- Office space designed specifically for start-ups or new entrepreneurs
- Business incubators
- Educational centers or institutes for entrepreneurship
- Related operating expenses may include: Entrepreneurial coaching, training, and education
5 Evaluation Criteria
- Feasibility
- Need
- Impact
- Leverage
- Sustainability
- Feasibility - For New & Expanding Grants: Ability to fund, manage and complete construction, and launch the accelerator project within the program timeframe. Proposed project is “shovel-ready;” For Operating Support Grants: Ability to manage and sustain the accelerator project and complete the proposed activities within the program timeframe
- Need - Project’s alignment with proof of demand from area residents and local small business readiness; the accelerator and related programming serve a community need
- Impact - Real estate can be leveraged as a mobilizer for small business scaling and ability to reach and grow businesses; overall economic impact for the Main Street corridor
- Leverage - Ability to leverage resources (partners, funding, promotions) to boost the accelerator project and businesses’ visibility and success
- Sustainability - Demonstrates a plan for the future of the accelerator, including a long-term operations and funding strategy, existing or potential future partnerships and a small business pipeline
Program Timeline:
- Application Opens (by email invite): Wednesday, March 18, 2026, at 12:00 PM CT (noon)
- Informational Webinar: Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at 1:00 PM CT
- Application Closes: Monday, April 27, 2026, at 11:59 PM CT
- Finalists Notified: By late June 2026
- Grant Term Starts: Tuesday, June 30, 2026
- Interim Report Due: ~6-months TBD
- Grant Term Ends: Wednesday, June 30, 2027
- Final Report Due & (optional) Small Business Enhancement Grant Application Due: Thursday, July 15, 2027
The Hartford’s Commitment to Small Businesses
The Hartford insures more than 1.5 million small businesses across the country, and we understand just how critical they are to the success of their communities. We are continuously inspired by their incredible dedication and creativity, and we take pride in supporting them in ways that go above and beyond the insurance policy.
Since small businesses make up more than 99.9% of all US businesses, they are truly the heart of our economy. Over the last 25 years, small businesses have added almost 13 million jobs. At The Hartford, we believe it is our responsibility to ensure that number keeps growing by putting the customer at the center of everything we do.
Questions?
Review the program 2026 Terms and Conditions. Contact smallbizaccelerator@mainstreet.org