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Growth Accelerator Fund Competition (GAFC)

Growth Accelerator Fund Competition (GAFC)

Funds Entrepreneur Support Organizations strengthening innovation ecosystems through commercialization and capital formation.

Between cyclesSmall Business AdministrationUnited States

The Growth Accelerator Fund Competition (GAFC) is an annual two-stage prize competition run by the Small Business Administration under its America's Seed Fund initiative. It supports Entrepreneur Support Organizations — accelerators, incubators, technology transfer offices, and university programs — rather than individual startups. The 2026 cycle is projected to be the largest in the program's his…

Prize competition funding Entrepreneur Support Organizations to strengthen innovation ecosystems through Lab-to-Market commercialization and Capital Formation programs.

CycleiHow often this grant runs — e.g. annually, on a rolling basis, or a one-off call.Annual
Next deadlineiThe next date applications are due. Rolling means you can apply any time.—
Decision timeiTypical time from the deadline to the funder's decision.—
Project durationiHow long the funded work is expected to run.—
Award typeiThe form of funding — grant, equity, loan, tax credit, etc.Prize
Match fundingiThe share of project costs you must cover yourself. 0% = fully funded.0%
Funding pooliThe total budget available across all awards in this round.$9M

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Last verified: 22 Jul 2026Source: www.americasseedfund.us