Delaware celebrated a major boost to its small-business community Wednesday evening as Governor Matt Meyer and the Delaware Division of Small Business (DSB) announced the latest winners of the EDGE 2.0 Grant Competition. The announcement capped off a night of innovation and recognition at the University of Delaware’s STAR Campus, where seven small businesses were awarded a combined $1.15 million in state funding. An additional $1 million in federal investment was also awarded through the State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI).
The Encouraging Development, Growth and Expansion (EDGE) grant is the Division’s flagship pitch competition, designed to help young Delaware companies accelerate growth and scale into long-term contributors to the state’s economy. Seventeen finalists pitched in late October, with nine competing in the Entrepreneur category and eight in STEM.
 This round’s Entrepreneur category awardees include Insight Ag Scouting of Wyoming, Juniper Modern Market of Milton, and NFN Brain Connections of Dover. STEM category winners are Crystron Technologies and Lectrolyst, both based in Wilmington, KiposTech of Newark, and Prismm Technologies of Newark.
Prismm Technologies received a major additional honor. They were awarded a $1 million SSBCI investment through the Delaware Accelerator and Seed Capital Program (DASCP). Three STEM finalists competed for this federal award, which supports technology-driven companies positioned for rapid growth.
Governor Meyer praised the spirit of innovation on display.
“I am energized being among the entrepreneurs in this room,” Meyer said. “Their innovation and expansion plans cover a variety of industries and will ultimately help build a stronger Delaware economy. Now more than ever, we need to support their growth as the foundation of our state’s economy.”
 First launched in 2019, the EDGE program was expanded this year with significantly more funding, updated eligibility rules, and additional post-award support services. EDGE 2.0 features a total of $1.15 million in available funding, up from $750,000 in prior rounds, including $400,000 for Entrepreneur-category companies and $750,000 for STEM.
Other enhancements include a new online application system; no set number of winners; flexible award amounts; eligibility expanded to companies with up to 15 full-time employees and under $700,000 in assets; and expanded in-kind support such as networking memberships and expedited access to other DSB programs.
DSB Director CJ Bell said the enhanced structure is designed to help companies grow sustainably.
“We wanted to enhance the ability of small businesses to not just get funding, but to receive practical support and tools to help them scale in a way that will provide a foundation for longevity,” Bell said. “These companies are the best of the best applicants and I’m excited to see where they go from here.”
Since its inception, EDGE has awarded $9.1 million to 127 small businesses — 83 in New Castle County, 27 in Kent County, and 17 in Sussex County. More than half of all awardees since 2019 have been woman-, minority-, or veteran-owned.
Secretary of State Charuni Patibanda-Sanchez emphasized the program’s role in strengthening Delaware’s economic diversity.
“We are thrilled to help these businesses expand and grow. These seven businesses are joining an elite group of entrepreneurs,” she said. “Small businesses enhance economic diversity in our state by helping create new industries, jobs and markets. When small businesses thrive, we all thrive.”
Locally, Juniper Modern Market in Milton, received a $125,000 grant. Juniper Modern market is a community-focused gourmet market that opened January 2025. The company will use the funds will purchase commercial kitchen and café equipment.
 This was the twelfth round of EDGE, which runs twice annually. In August, 179 businesses applied for funding — 136 in the Entrepreneur category and 43 in STEM.
To learn more about the program, click here.
