About this programme
Cville Match is run by the City of Charlottesville's Office of Economic Development (OED), with local matching funds allocated by the Charlottesville Economic Development Authority (CEDA). It is built to assist high-growth and expanding companies located in the City of Charlottesville that have already won certain federal or state grants and contracts.
The qualifying federal and state awards are the Virginia Jobs Investment Program (VJIP), the Small Business Innovation Research Program (SBIR), the Small Business Technology Transfer Program (STTR), Virginia Innovation Partnership Corporation (VIPC) grants, and completion of the state's Economic Gardening (EG) program. These programs are mainly meant to promote business expansion through recruiting and training assistance, and to advance companies working to commercialize products; a company that finished the EG program can use Cville Match to implement the recommendations that came out of it.
How it works
Cville Match provides up to $25,000 per award (up to $5,000 for grants tied to the Economic Gardening program), with a simple application process and basic reporting requirements. Companies are eligible for up to $25,000 per grant, but the program caps total lifetime funding at $25,000 per company, subject to funds availability.
A qualifying City-based company only receives local matching funds after its corresponding state or federal grant has already been approved. Eligibility is determined by acceptance into one of the named state or federal programs, or a similar government program, at the sole discretion of the Director of Economic Development or a designee.
Who can apply
Business must be for-profit with a dedicated physical office or lab space within City of Charlottesville city limits, and must hold a current City of Charlottesville business license.
Business must have been in existence for at least six months, have at least 1 full-time employee (FTE) but fewer than 100 FTEs, and annual revenues under $50 million.
Business must have recently been awarded one of: Virginia Jobs Investment Program (VJIP), Small Business Innovation Research Program (SBIR), Small Business Technology Transfer Program (STTR), Virginia Innovation Partnership Corporation (VIPC), or completion of the Economic Gardening Program (EG).
Applicant must be willing to provide a testimonial annually or at the end of the grant reporting period, and to provide basic business metrics on request (number of employees, average employee wages, amount of capital investment, square footage occupied, and similar).
How to apply
- Contact the City of Charlottesville Office of Economic Development during the application process for your primary grant (VJIP, SBIR, STTR, VIPC or EG) to confirm eligibility and matching-funds availability.
- Provide proof of the primary grant award once it is approved.
- Once proof of award and eligibility are confirmed, the City processes the Cville Match funds.
Documents you’ll typically need
- Completed eligibility checklist from the Cville Match Grant Program Information Sheet
- Proof of the underlying federal or state grant award (VJIP, SBIR, STTR, VIPC or EG completion)
Frequently asked
How much can my company get from Cville Match?
Up to $25,000 per grant awarded, but the program caps total lifetime funding at $25,000 per company, subject to funds availability. Grants tied to the Economic Gardening program are capped at $5,000.
Can I apply for Cville Match before I win my federal or state grant?
You contact OED during the application process for the primary grant, but the City only releases matching funds after the state or federal award has been approved.
Does my business qualify based on size?
You need at least 1 full-time employee but fewer than 100, and annual revenue under $50 million, plus at least six months in operation and a physical office or lab in Charlottesville city limits.
What do I owe the City in return?
You agree to provide a testimonial annually or at the end of the reporting period, and to share basic business metrics such as employee count, average wages, capital investment and square footage occupied.
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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.