About this programme
The Catalyst Grant Program is one of two programs under the Arlington Innovation Fund (AIF), an initiative of Arlington Economic Development. AIF was established with a $1 million allocation in the FY24 County Budget and received further funding in FY25 to strengthen Arlington's position as a technology hub. The fund's other program, the Tech Ecosystem Support Fund, invests in local and regional programs that strengthen Arlington's innovation landscape across Northern Virginia, including founder-led initiatives such as the pitch and feedback series CrowdFuel.
The Catalyst Grant Program gives non-dilutive co-investment grants of $25,000 to $50,000 to early-stage, Arlington-based startups. Money can go toward hiring, research and development, commercial space needs, office space leasing, equipment purchases, consultants or advisors, and other critical business expenses.
The inaugural round awarded a combined $225,000 to five companies out of 22 total applications: Dispatchr Technologies (cleantech), Freely Payments (fintech), GenLogs (artificial intelligence), Phalanx (cybersecurity), and Seamless Transition (medical devices). A second application round followed, opening February 5, 2024 and closing March 10, 2024, with $425,000 remaining to award. In FY24 overall, AIF funded nine companies across two cohorts.
How it works
Grants are non-dilutive, meaning the company gives up no equity and does not repay the money. Applications go through a competitive review process weighing the team's executive and technical capabilities, the company's potential for significant revenue growth, and its potential for societal impact.
The site's public materials describe two funded cohorts (Cohort I: Dispatchr Technologies, Freely Payments, GenLogs, Phalanx, Seamless Transition; Cohort II: Data Parrot, KnoNap, Pryze App, SportAI).
Grantees have used the money to hire staff, build product, and pursue follow-on opportunities. Phalanx grew its SendTurtle tool past 4,000 users; KnoNap was accepted into the Tory Burch Foundation Fellowship and began advising a major consumer goods company's corporate social responsibility team; GenLogs grew from zero to more than 70 customers and from three co-founders to 60 employees within two years, with a platform that has assisted law enforcement, including in a case that helped rescue a minor from a trafficking situation.
Who can apply
Early-stage, Arlington-based startups are the program's target; the first-round announcement describes companies across cleantech, fintech, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and medical devices.
How to apply
- Applications open in rounds; the second round ran from February 5, 2024 to March 10, 2024, and the program's contact is aif@arlingtonva.us for current application windows.
- Applications are reviewed on the team's executive and technical capabilities, potential for significant revenue growth, and potential for societal impact.
Frequently asked
Is the Catalyst Grant equity or a loan?
Neither. It is a non-dilutive grant of $25,000 to $50,000, so the company keeps its equity and does not repay the funds.
What can the grant be used for?
The program lists hiring, research and development, commercial space needs, office space leasing, equipment purchases, consultants or advisors, and other critical business-related expenses.
How competitive is it?
The inaugural round received 22 applications and funded 5 companies with a combined $225,000.
How are grantees selected?
Through a competitive review process weighing executive and technical capabilities, potential for significant revenue growth, and potential for societal impact. The program has run in cohorts, funding nine early-stage Arlington-based startups across Cohort I and Cohort II in FY24.
Has the grant actually helped companies grow?
Recipients report real traction: GenLogs grew from zero to over 70 customers and to 60 employees within two years, Phalanx's product passed 4,000 users, and KnoNap was accepted into the Tory Burch Foundation Fellowship.
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Reviewed 2026-09-25. Programmes change, so check eligibility, amounts and deadlines on the official page before you apply. CapEasy is a private firm and is not part of any government body.