Applications Now Open For Norwalk's Third Annual 'Shark Tank' Grant Competition

NORWALK, CT — Applications are now open for Norwalk's third annual Innovation Initiative Grants Program, the Norwalk Business Development Center recently announced.

According to a news release provided by the city, the innovation initiative, also known as Norwalk’s "Shark Tank"-style competition, is a financial assistance program that provides grants to entrepreneurs, start-ups and existing businesses located in Norwalk.

Applications are open through May 15, and awardees will receive grants ranging from $5,000 to $15,000.

Last year, the city awarded grants to a total of 12 recipients.

"I'm so grateful for the Norwalk Innovations Program," Kiki Ferguson, owner of Full Haus Records and grantee of the 2024 innovations program, said in a news release. "My business partner and I put a lot of time and effort into our presentation and were ecstatic when we ended up receiving grant funds from the city of Norwalk last year. Winning the grant money has benefitted my business enormously. It allowed us to focus on really building our brand and upgrading our space. Without the grant, it would have been nearly impossible for us to grow our business in our second year. It allowed us to save some money instead of constantly putting everything back into business expenses. Now, our business is growing organically."

The Norwalk Innovation Initiative Program aims to support new local businesses and entrepreneurs both financially and through financial education resources.

Participants must complete a business education program and submit an application detailing their business plan, including how they would use the grant funding, according to the city.

Selected businesses will be invited to enter a "Shark Tank"-style competition to pitch to Norwalk-based "sharks" to potentially be awarded the start-up grant funds.

All Norwalk entrepreneurs, start-ups and existing businesses that employ or plan to employ between two and 50 individuals are encouraged to apply, according to the city.

Complete program guidelines are available here; anyone who wishes to submit an application can do so here.

Key dates:

• Phase 1, Application Closes: May 15, 2025
• Phase 2, Pitch Competition: July/August 2025
• Winners Announced: Late Summer 2025

Further information is available at www.norwalkforbusiness.org.