In mid‑2025, a comprehensive survey from FundsforNGOs identified more than 30 funding programs currently available to U.S. entrepreneurs. These opportunities span government grants, venture capital, crowdfunding platforms, and corporate-backed accelerators, providing a broad array of financial support for startups across sectors. The surge in funding options is particularly valuable for early-stage founders navigating capital needs while trying to minimize equity dilution.
Among the most significant government-backed initiatives are the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs, which collectively allocate about $2.5 billion annually. These programs fund startups working on advanced research and development projects across 11 federal agencies. In addition to federal offerings, many states are rolling out grants tailored to specific demographics such as women founders, veterans, and clean tech innovators.
A notable private-sector initiative is Amazon’s Appstore Small Business Accelerator Program, which automatically enrolls developers earning under $1 million annually in app revenue. Participants benefit from an 80/20 revenue share—an improvement over the standard 70/30—and can also receive AWS promotional credits worth up to 10% of their monthly Appstore earnings. Compared to Apple and Google, which offer an 85/15 revenue split for small developers, Amazon’s combination of higher revenue share and cloud support makes its program one of the most financially advantageous.
Venture capital firms and angel investors remain critical sources of funding, especially for high-growth sectors like artificial intelligence, climate tech, and blockchain. However, amid economic uncertainty, early-stage investors have become more conservative. They now tend to favor startups that can demonstrate early traction or revenue, rather than investing based solely on potential or concept.
Crowdfunding platforms continue to be valuable tools for product-focused ventures. Sites such as Kickstarter, Indiegogo, and equity-based platforms like SeedInvest allow founders to raise funds directly from the public, often in exchange for early access to products or equity stakes. Although these campaigns can generate significant early capital and validate market interest, they also require robust marketing strategies and may come with intellectual property risks.
To take full advantage of these varied funding channels, advisors recommend founders create a detailed funding roadmap. This involves identifying deadlines, aligning funding types with different phases of business growth, and preparing the necessary application materials well in advance. Grant readiness—developing clear impact objectives, credible budgets, and measurable outcomes—should be embedded into early planning, not treated as an afterthought.
For example, non-dilutive funding like grants and accelerator programs are best suited for the ideation and validation stages. Once a product is in market and showing traction, founders might turn to equity investment or revenue-based financing to scale. Crowdfunding can serve both as a marketing tool and a pre-sale mechanism, particularly for consumer-facing products.
Amazon’s Appstore Small Business Accelerator is particularly noteworthy. Eligible developers—those earning less than $1 million per year—are automatically enrolled and benefit from a more favorable revenue split of 80/20. On top of this, Amazon offers monthly AWS credits equal to up to 10% of Appstore revenue, deposited about two weeks after the end of each month. Together, these incentives allow small developers to retain nearly 90% of revenue, a significant margin improvement compared to standard models. If a developer crosses the $1 million threshold within a year, the benefits are paused but can be reactivated in the following year if revenue falls below the eligibility level again.
This environment of diversified funding presents founders with real choices. Non-dilutive resources offer the chance to grow while maintaining equity control. Corporate accelerators such as Amazon’s provide both cash and operational support like cloud services. Meanwhile, crowdfunding offers direct engagement with early adopters and proof of market demand.
Founders are encouraged to take a strategic view. Tracking key dates, preparing documentation early, and being selective about which funding opportunities align with their stage and goals can make a substantial difference. A layered funding approach—combining grants, revenue, crowdfunding, and eventually equity investment—can provide a longer runway and more flexibility.
As of July 2025, the U.S. startup landscape is flush with capital avenues, particularly for those who take the time to understand and leverage them wisely. Programs like the Amazon Appstore Accelerator are setting a new standard for how corporations can support innovation at the grassroots level. With the right planning and positioning, founders have a unique opportunity to build resilient, scalable businesses without giving up control too early.
