Women-owned businesses account for 46.2% of businesses in Idaho, according to the U.S. Small Business Administration. For women looking to start, expand, or strengthen a business, there are grants, export programs, business support services, and other funding resources worth exploring.
Some opportunities are specifically designed for women, while others support Idaho businesses in areas such as technology, international trade, rural development, and job creation.
Here are some business grants and resources for women in Idaho.
Idaho STEP Grant
The State Trade Expansion Program (STEP) helps Idaho small businesses enter or expand into international markets.
Funding can support activities such as international trade shows, export-related travel, internationalizing a website, and e-commerce activities. Idaho Commerce also runs state-led trade missions and international trade-show opportunities through the program.
Women-owned businesses can receive additional consideration under STEP’s scoring criteria. Financial Assistance Awards range from $2,000 to $12,000, although award amounts and eligible activities can change between funding rounds.
Related post: How to Find Business Grants for Women: 19 Practical Tips for 2026
Idaho Global Entrepreneurial Mission (IGEM)
Women developing technology or research-based businesses may find larger funding opportunities through the Idaho Global Entrepreneurial Mission (IGEM).
IGEM helps move promising research and technology developed through Idaho’s public research universities towards commercialization. Businesses work with eligible research institutions on projects with commercial potential.
For the FY2028 program, expected awards are approximately $100,000 for Proof-of-Concept projects, $200,000 for Initial Startup projects,and up to $1.1 million for Commercialization projects.
The three tracks cover testing whether an idea works, developing a proven concept into a commercially viable product, and taking a product or service to market.
Idaho Gem Grant
The Idaho Gem Grant provides funding for economic-development projects that support private-sector job creation in eligible communities.
Grants of up to $50,000 can support projects such as infrastructure improvements connected to new or expanding businesses.
The money is awarded to eligible communities rather than individual businesses. Cities, counties, and tribal governments can apply, making this ideal for women entrepreneurs whose business expansion depends on local infrastructure or economic-development projects.
Rural Community Investment Fund
The Rural Community Investment Fund (RCIF) supports infrastructure projects that help businesses expand and create jobs in rural Idaho.
Grants range from $50,000 to $500,000 and can fund projects such as extending water, sewer, streets, or utilities to a new business site, acquiring or constructing buildings for businesses, and telecommunications, power, or rail improvements needed for expansion.
The grants go to eligible local governments and tribes rather than directly to business owners. For a woman-owned company planning a major rural expansion, however, RCIF can provide a route for getting necessary infrastructure funded.
Rural Economic Development Professional Program
Idaho’s Rural Economic Development Professional Program helps rural communities employ professionals who work on business retention, expansion, recruitment, and community development.
For women entrepreneurs in rural Idaho, these professionals can be a useful local connection when looking for business incentives, economic-development programs, expansion support, and other funding opportunities.
The program does not provide a direct grant to women-owned businesses, but it connects rural businesses with people working on local economic development.
Amber Grant for Women
The Amber Grant is one of the most accessible national business grants for women entrepreneurs, awarding 3 $10,000 in three categories: startup, industry-specific, and general business grants. Monthly winners are also eligible for one of three $50,000 year-end grants. One application puts an applicant in consideration for the WomensNet grants for which she qualifies.
Related post: Amber Grant for Women: Eligibility, Funding, and How to Apply
Cartier Women’s Initiative
The Cartier Women’s Initiative supports women entrepreneurs running businesses that address social or environmental challenges.
The program is open internationally and includes regional and thematic awards. For regional awards, the first-place winner receives $100,000, and second-place and third-place winners receive $60,000 and $30,000, respectively.
Alongside the funding, selected entrepreneurs receive business training, leadership coaching, networking opportunities, media exposure, and access to the program’s global community.
Thematic awards include the Science & Technology Pioneer Award for women developing technology- or science-based solutions.
High Five Grant for Moms
The High Five Grant for Moms is designed for mothers and expectant mothers who own and operate businesses.
The program awards a $10,000 grand prize, with additional awards of $5,000, $2,500 and $1,000. It is open to women entrepreneurs in the U.S. and Canada.
The grant is an ideal option for women balancing business ownership with motherhood and looking for funding to move their businesses forward.
Idaho Women’s Business Center
The Idaho Women’s Business Center provides free business coaching and free-to-low-cost training to women-owned businesses throughout the state.
Its Launch & Grow program is designed for early-stage entrepreneurs and covers areas such as business planning and growth. Grow & Thrive supports established business owners with mentorship, planning, and strategies for long-term growth.
The center does not offer a direct business grant, but its coaching can help women build a stronger business plan, prepare for funding, and make informed decisions about growing their companies.
Idaho Small Business Development Center
The Idaho Small Business Development Center (SBDC) provides no-cost, confidential consulting to entrepreneurs and small businesses across Idaho.
Women business owners can get help with business planning, financial analysis, marketing, accounting, cash-flow projections, feasibility studies, and financing. The SBDC also has a Capital Access team that helps businesses assess loans, grants, and alternative financing and connect with lenders.
The center also maintains information on women-focused funding programs, including the Amber Grant, Cartier Women’s Initiative, and High Five Grant.
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Idaho Business Resource Wizard
The Business Resource Wizard is a free Idaho government tool for finding business funding, financing, economic-development programs, and other support based on your location and business needs.
Women business owners can select “Minority/Woman Owned” when searching for resources. The tool also allows users to narrow results by county and type of assistance, making it useful for finding local programs that may not appear in national grant searches.
Idaho Business Incentives
Women-owned businesses planning a larger expansion should also look beyond grants. Idaho Commerce offers incentives connected to job creation, business investment, and economic development. Depending on the project, these incentives can be relevant to companies making significant investments or expanding their workforce.
Idaho also has Opportunity Zones designed to attract private investment into designated communities. Twenty-five newly designated tracts are scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2027.
Conclusion
If you are seeking support to start or grow your venture, these business grants and resources for women in Idaho can get you there. Just focus on opportunities that match your business, industry, and funding needs.
