GetFundedUSA › Grants › General › Fund Tennessee (SSBCI)
Fund Tennessee (SSBCI)
General · Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development (TNECD) · TN
Fund Tennessee is a state financing program run by TNECD that offers loans, equity investments, and technical assistance to Tennessee-based small businesses and entrepreneurs, rather than a direct cash grant. It's aimed at small businesses, microenterprises, and disadvantaged business owners in Tennessee seeking capital.
Fund Tennessee is the state's SSBCI 2.0 program, administered by the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development (TNECD). Rather than handing out cash grants, this program deploys capital to small businesses through three connected initiatives: LendTN, which provides loans; InvestTN, which makes equity investments into Tennessee startups; and AssistTN, which offers technical assistance and investment-readiness support.
The program is designed to connect Tennessee-based small businesses, entrepreneurs, and microenterprises — including socially and economically disadvantaged business owners — with debt and equity financing options they might not otherwise access through conventional lenders. Because SSBCI 2.0 blends financing tools with hands-on support, it can be useful for business owners who need capital but also want help getting investment-ready before they seek larger funding rounds.
Since this is a financing program rather than a straightforward grant, the exact amount available to any individual business will depend on which arm of the program — LendTN, InvestTN, or AssistTN — a business applies through, and the specifics of that round. There is no fixed award ceiling or floor listed, and the deadline is described only as 'check current rounds,' meaning interested applicants should visit the official Tennessee state site to see what's currently open.
For a small business owner in Tennessee looking for capital and are open to loans or equity investment (not just non-repayable grants), Fund Tennessee is worth investigating further. Because details like current award amounts, eligibility specifics, and open application rounds can change, business owners should confirm the latest information directly at the official TNECD website before applying.
Who qualifies
How to apply
Questions people ask
Is Fund Tennessee a grant or a loan?
It's not a cash grant — it's a state financing program (SSBCI 2.0) offering loans through LendTN and equity investments through InvestTN, plus technical assistance through AssistTN.
Do I have to repay this funding?
If you receive funding through LendTN, yes, it's a loan that must be repaid; equity investments through InvestTN work differently. Confirm repayment terms at the official source.
Who runs this program?
The Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development (TNECD) administers Fund Tennessee.
Who is eligible?
Tennessee-based small businesses, entrepreneurs, microenterprises, and socially/economically disadvantaged business owners seeking capital.
How much funding can I get?
The amount varies depending on the program track and round; no fixed floor or ceiling is listed. Confirm current amounts at the official source.
What is the application deadline?
The listing says to check current rounds — there's no single fixed deadline given. Confirm at the official source.
Where do I apply?
Applications and program details are available at https://www.tn.gov/ecd/small-business/ssbci.html.
Is this funding taxable?
This isn't specified in the available information. Confirm at the official source.
Is this a state or federal program?
It's a state-level program in Tennessee, funded through the federal SSBCI 2.0 initiative but administered by TNECD.
Can businesses outside Tennessee apply?
No, eligibility is limited to Tennessee-based businesses.
What is AssistTN?
AssistTN is the technical assistance component of the program, offering investment-readiness support alongside the financing options.
What's the difference between LendTN and InvestTN?
LendTN provides loans, while InvestTN makes equity investments into Tennessee startups.
Opportunity number: not published. Source: curated + verified (official state source, 2026). GetFundedUSA is independent and not affiliated with Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development (TNECD); always confirm current deadlines, amounts and eligibility on the sponsor's own page before applying.