2026
Orlando Tech Community Support Grant Program
In Partnership with
Application deadline extended. Applications are now due September 15, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. ET.
About the Grant Program
The Orlando Tech Grant expands the City of Orlando’s continued commitment to creating an environment for entrepreneurship as a critical component of the region’s innovation ecosystem. It supports the people and organizations helping Orlando’s innovation community grow and funding can support grassroots programs, capability-building initiatives, and work that brings founders, talent, industry, and community partners together.
The City of Orlando funds the grant, and the Orlando Economic Partnership manages the program. Awards support organizations and initiatives that strengthen the broader tech community. They are not intended as operating capital for individual companies.
Program Snapshot
| Item | 2026 Detail |
|---|---|
| Total grant pool | $65,000 |
| Funder | City of Orlando |
| Administrator | Orlando Economic Partnership |
| Launch date | August 14, 2026 |
| Application deadline EXTENDED | September 15, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. ET |
| Grant tracks | Ignite Grants and Capability Catalyst Grants |
| Contact | Sheena.Fowler@Orlando.org |
Strategic Priorities
Strong proposals will connect to at least one of these priorities:
- Strengthening Orlando’s innovation community
- Advancing regional technology capabilities
- Building the tech talent pipeline
- Supporting retention and expansion of Orlando-based tech employers
- Increasing participation from underserved and undercapitalized communities
Strategic Technology Capabilities
- Human Performance
- Synthetic Environments & Experiences
- Autonomous & Intelligent Systems
- Sensing & Advanced Hardware
Who Can Apply?
The Orlando Tech Grant is for organizations and initiatives doing work that helps Orlando’s innovation community grow, whether through community building, talent development, or stronger partnerships.
Eligible Applicants
- Nonprofit organizations operating in or serving the City of Orlando.
- Fiscally sponsored projects with documented fiscal sponsorship.
- Mission-aligned for-profit organizations operating ecosystem-building programs that are not direct revenue-generating products or services.
- Volunteer-led initiatives applying through a qualified fiscal sponsor.
Not Eligible
- Individual companies seeking operating capital for their own products or services.
- Individuals applying on their own behalf.
- Government agencies or political campaigns.
- Organizations operating exclusively outside the City of Orlando service area.
- Lobbying activities or efforts to influence government decisions.
| Eligible examples | Not eligible examples |
|---|---|
| A nonprofit running a founder meetup series. | Product development funding for a private company. |
| A company hosting a free public hackathon. | General company operating expenses. |
| A community-led mentorship program for aspiring technologists. | Sales and marketing activities for a private business. |
| A talent development initiative focused on semiconductors, AI, simulation, XR, robotics, or digital twins. | Capital investment in a company’s core operations. |
| A coalition launching a workforce or collaborative capability-building initiative that serves Orlando’s tech ecosystem. | Individuals applying without an eligible organization or fiscal sponsor. |
Match Requirement
Each award includes a 10 percent match. That can come from cash, donated services, volunteer or staff time, in-kind support, or a mix of these resources. Applicants will need to show how the match is being met.
Available Grants
| Category | Ignite Grant | Capability Catalyst Grant |
|---|---|---|
| Award amount | $1,500 to $3,000 | $8,000 to $15,000 |
| Typical awards | Approximately 8 to 12 grants | Approximately 3 to 4 grants |
| Purpose | Support grassroots ecosystem-building programs. | Advance strategic technology capabilities or regional innovation initiatives. |
| Best for | Meetups, mentorship circles, hackathons, community events, peer learning groups, and founder support programs. | Accelerators, talent pipeline programs, capability-building initiatives, large-scale collaborations. |
| Application length | Approximately 30 minutes. | Approximately 2 to 3 hours. |
| Reporting | Light reporting. | Quarterly check-ins and defined outcome tracking. |
| Review focus | Ecosystem vitality, inclusive reach, strategic fit, and sustainability. | Capability alignment, outcome quality, inclusive reach, BR&E lens, and sustainability at scale. |
Choose Ignite If…
- You are running a grassroots community program.
- Your project is primarily focused on bringing people together.
- You need modest funding to support events, programming, outreach, or participant engagement.
- Your initiative can demonstrate community impact but does not require extensive outcome tracking.
Choose Capability Catalyst If…
- Your initiative advances one of Orlando’s strategic technology capabilities.
- You have defined goals, measurable outcomes, and a clear theory of change.
- Partnerships are central to your success.
- The project will strengthen Orlando’s innovation economy at a regional level.
- You can report on outcomes and participate in quarterly check-ins.
Still not sure?
A simple way to choose is to ask what you are mainly building. If the focus is community engagement, networking, mentorship, or grassroots programming, Ignite is probably the better fit. If the work is designed to create measurable regional impact through talent, technology, industry growth, infrastructure, or cross-sector collaboration, Capability Catalyst is probably the better fit.
Grant Application & Award
Timeline
| Date | Milestone |
|---|---|
| August 14, 2026 | Applications open. |
| September 15, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. ET | Application deadline. |
| Judge review period: September 16 through September 30 | Judge review period. |
| October 1, 2026 | Winners notified. |
| October 14, 2026 | Awards Event with Mayor Dyer |
| October 15, 2026 | Grant agreements executed and funds disbursed. |
| October 2026 to January 2027 | Funded programs execute. |
| December 4, 2026 | Mid-program check-in. |
| February 2027 | Grantees featured at OEP signature technology event. |
| February 26, 2027 | Final reports due to OEP. |
FAQs
Can my company apply for operating funds?
Not for general operating expenses. A company may apply for a separate community-facing program, such as a public hackathon or meetup, but not for its regular business costs.
Can I apply for both tiers?
Each organization can submit one application per cycle. In the application, select Ignite, Capability Catalyst, or consideration for either category. OEP may consider the request for the category that best fits the proposal and funding request.
Are partnerships across multiple organizations eligible?
Yes. One organization will need to apply as the lead and receive the funds. Other partners can be included, and a letter of support is helpful when a partner is essential to the project.
Can grant funds cover staff salaries?
Ignite Grants are generally best used for direct program costs, though they may cover a stipend or honorarium for specific work. Capability Catalyst Grants can include staff time when it is clearly tied to the funded initiative.
What if my program serves the broader Central Florida region?
Yes, as long as the program clearly serves City of Orlando residents and contributes to Orlando’s innovation community.
What happens if my program does not deliver as planned?
If something changes, contact OEP early. We can usually work through reasonable adjustments. A major gap in delivery without communication could lead to a request to return funds and may affect eligibility for the next cycle.
When will applicants receive a decision?
We plan to send award decisions on September 18, 2026. Applicants may request a short summary of reviewer feedback after that date.
What is a fiscal sponsor?
A fiscal sponsor is an eligible organization that agrees to receive and manage funds for a project that does not have its own eligible legal structure. If you are using one, include the sponsor’s name and documentation confirming the relationship.
Questions?
Any questions regarding the Orlando Technology Community Support Grant Program may be directed to Sheena Folwer, SVP, Innovation & Economic Development.
