$72,000 Awarded to Northwest Michigan Small Businesses through 20Fathoms and Venture North Partnership

20Fathoms and Venture North are pleased to announce the recipients of $72,000 in small business grants. Each of the following Northwest Michigan businesses received approximately $4,500.

The businesses were selected based on their company’s strategic need for funds, as well as the expected impact on their community. Applications were reviewed by a committee of small business support professionals representing Northern Lakes Economic Alliance, Grow Benzie, and 20Fathoms.

For Traverse City locals, Cultured Kombucha is a well-known local kombucha maker. This grant funding will help them continue to expand their business. “As we expand this year into multiple new states with two national distributors, this grant will fund our first tradeshow booth display, helping us reflect our professional product quality, stand out to buyers, and drive retail growth at large natural product tradeshows in a competitive and fast-paced food and beverage market,” says Cultured Kombucha founder Courtney Lorenz.

The application window for the fourth and final round of Small Business Direct Grants will open on October 15 and close on October 21. These grants have been made possible by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation under the Small Business Support Hub program, a one-time funding opportunity.

This competitive grant opportunity is open to all small businesses within the 10-county region. Business owners with food and beverage businesses, eco-friendly and sustainable enterprises, retail stores, production and manufacturing companies, artists and makers, and technology-based startups are all encouraged to apply.

A total of 10 grants, averaging $4,500 each, will be awarded to support specific asset purchases that create meaningful business growth. Examples include essential equipment, software, or products that enable immediate expansion, operational scaling, or technology upgrades. Please note: building renovations, structural changes, previously purchased items and operational costs like salary, rent or wages are not eligible. Each business may only receive one grant. See application for additional requirements.

Apply at 20Fathoms.org/apply.

This funding is made possible through a regional collaboration between 20Fathoms, Michigan SBDC, Northern Lakes Economic Alliance, Traverse Connect, and Venture North to bring support and resources to entrepreneurs and small business owners in the region. The initiative is supported by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation.

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This project is being supported, in whole or in part, by federal award number [SLFRP0127] awarded to 20Fathoms by the U.S. Department of the Treasury.