EDA Build to Scale.

Overview

What it does.

A Chester company would normally participate through a regional ecosystem project rather than apply for a direct grant. Southern Illinois partners would need to form a competitive coalition and respond to a future EDA funding notice.

Best for: University, nonprofit, investor, and public-sector coalitions building a durable regional technology and entrepreneurship platform.

Eligibility

Who and what may qualify.

Eligible applicants

• Eligible organizations named in a future Build to Scale notice, commonly including public, nonprofit, higher-education, and economic-development entities

Applicants excluded by the source

• Individual startups and entrepreneurs seeking direct company grants unless a future notice states otherwise

Eligible uses

• Regional technology entrepreneurship programs
• Commercialization and startup support
• Capital-access ecosystem development
• Pilot and test capacity for emerging technologies

Uses excluded by the source

• General operating grants to an individual company
• Activities outside a future competition's approved regional innovation scope

Application

How to start.

1. Monitor EDA for the next Build to Scale notice
2. Assemble a regional coalition with credible technology, entrepreneur, capital, and commercialization partners
3. Define measurable regional outcomes, match, governance, and a scalable delivery model

Timing: The official program page directs visitors to monitor future funding opportunities and does not identify a current application window.

Planning notes

Limits to account for.

• No confirmed current application window
• Individual businesses are generally beneficiaries, not direct applicants
• A strong regional technology-commercialization strategy and partners are required

Regional projects typically combine federal funding with university, philanthropic, state, local, and private match.

Evidence

Official sources.

• Build to ScaleU.S. Economic Development Administration · accessed 2026-07-10