Maryland Small Business Lending Program – Small Business Direct Loans

Up to $2,000,000 per competitive round; 4% fixed rate, terms up to 30 years

Multiple rounds; next round closes August 17, 2026. Rounds announced quarterly.

AMOUNT

Up to $2,000,000 per competitive round; 4% fixed rate, terms up to 30 years

AMOUNT

Up to $2,000,000 per competitive round; 4% fixed rate, terms up to 30 years

DEADLINE

Multiple rounds; next round closes August 17, 2026. Rounds announced quarterly.

DEADLINE

Multiple rounds; next round closes August 17, 2026. Rounds announced quarterly.

FUNDING TYPE

Loan

CAN YOU GET THIS?

You must be a Maryland-based small business (under 500 employees), nonprofit, or local development corporation — local governments are not eligible.

Loans cover costs associated with business startup or expansion. This is a loan, not a grant, with a fixed 4% interest rate and terms up to 30 years.

YOUR REAL ODDS

Direct loans are awarded competitively with rounds announced quarterly, meaning you compete against other applicants each cycle.

No acceptance rate data is published, but the competitive structure means not all applicants receive funding. Starting with an initial consultation is the stated first step before applying.

WHAT IT TAKES

Request an initial consultation with a DHCD business development officer — 30–60 minutes
Prepare business financials and a clear use-of-funds case for startup or expansion — 1–2 weeks
Submit application during an open quarterly round — Varies by round timing

WORTH KNOWING

DHCD also offers companion loans of up to $5M available year-round (requiring a 1:1 private lending match), so if you already have a bank relationship, that product may be accessible outside the competitive quarterly cycle.

Apply on the funder’s site →

Start Up Loans Scheme

£500–£25,000 (average £10,264); repaid over 1–5 years at a fixed 7.5% annual rate.

UK-based founders at idea stage or trading under 60 months can borrow up to £25,000 at a fixed 7.5% rate.

Kiva U.S. Small Business Microloan

$1,000–$15,000 loan, 0% interest, no fees, repaid over 12–36 months.

U.S. small business owners and early-stage founders can apply for a 0% interest, no-fee loan of up to $15,000 on a rolling basis.

Kiva U.S. Small Business Microloan

$1,000–$15,000, repaid over 12–36 months at 0% interest with no fees.

U.S. small business owners and early-stage founders can get a 0% interest loan up to $15,000 with no minimum credit score.

This is 1 of 1,600+ open opportunities.

$50B+ in available capital across grants, VC funds, CDFIs, and accelerators. Filter by your industry, stage, and region, and see everything you qualify for.

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