Small Business Mobility Launch Grants
Small Business Mobility Launch Grant
The Small Business Mobility Launch Grants, part of the Economic Mobility Initiative (EMI), are administered by the Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) to support the launch and growth of businesses in the County of Los Angeles.
The LA County Economic Mobility Initiative (EMI), is a one-stop to start or grow your dream venture. We empower LA County small business owners, entrepreneurs, and nonprofits by providing tailored information, technical assistance, and resources from the Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO)’s Office of Small Business and best-in-class partner organizations that help you thrive and build generational wealth in our communities.
The Small Business Mobility Launch Grant, offered by the Economic Mobility Initiative, is designed to help businesses access flexible start-up and scale-up capital to support their business growth.
The Small Business Mobility Launch Grants are available in $5,000 or $10,000 to help small business owners in Los Angeles County cover essential start-up and early operating costs.
Entrepreneurship Academy Grant
The Small Business Mobility Launch Grants, part of the Economic Mobility Initiative (EMI), are administered by the Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) to support the launch and growth of businesses in the County of Los Angeles.
The LA County Economic Mobility Initiative (EMI), is a one-stop to start or grow your dream venture. We empower LA County small business owners, entrepreneurs, and nonprofits by providing tailored information, technical assistance, and resources from the Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO)’s Office of Small Business and best-in-class partner organizations that help you thrive and build generational wealth in our communities.
The Small Business Mobility Launch Grant, offered by the Economic Mobility Initiative, is designed to help businesses access flexible start-up and scale-up capital to support their business growth.
The Small Business Mobility Launch Grants are available in $5,000 or $10,000 to help small business owners in Los Angeles County cover essential start-up and early operating costs.
Grant Amounts:
Grant amounts depend on the type of business:
$2,000 – Graduates from EMI Entrepreneurship Academy.
$5,000 – Businesses establishing, relaunching, or expanding a non-retail commercial space, such as an office or warehouse, in unincorporated Los Angeles County.
$10,000 – Businesses relaunching, rebuilding, or expanding a brick-and-mortar retail commercial space with a storefront in unincorporated Los Angeles County.
Eligible Uses
Funds may be used for essential expenses, such as:
$2,000 - Non-Commercial or Home-Based Businesses: Permit and license fees, tenant improvement, signage, website and branding, packaging, set-up costs (e.g., accounting software, IP protections), product packaging, inventory/equipment, etc.
$5,000 - Commercial Non-Retail Space/Home-Based: Building permits (required), tenant improvements, facade improvements, signage. Soft costs (e.g., design fees) are not eligible.
$10,000 - Commercial/Retail Space/Brick and Mortar: Building permits (required), tenant improvements, facade improvement, signage. Soft costs (e.g., design fees) are not eligible.
Application Process
Please visit this link to complete the application. Applications are available in all County threshold languages. You can apply online or download, print, and apply in person with supporting documentation.
Applications are accepted beginning January 8, 2026 at Noon and will remain open until February 13, 2026 at 11:00 PM. Additional rolling rounds may open contingent upon funding availability.
For full program details and requirements, please visit opportunity.lacounty.gov/TBD
How to Apply
All applicants must complete an online application. If you require one-on-one support or need assistance gathering documents or information, ICON CDC can help you with your application.