Simply Business and Sky's the Limit Announce Winners of 2026 Big Dreams Grant
Rhea-AI Summary
Simply Business (NYSE: TRV subsidiary) and nonprofit accelerator Sky's the Limit named five winners and 20 finalists of the 2026 Big Dreams Grant, selected from more than 6,500 U.S. applications for community impact, scalability, and strategic plans. Winners BirdieBlue, KneadED NEO, Rise & Ritual, Select Auto Parts & Sales, and Stereotype Co span sectors from sustainable outdoor gear to workforce training and youth entrepreneurship.
Each winner will receive $5,000 in direct funding, plus mentorship, training, and access to Sky's the Limit's Launchpad tools to streamline operations and support revenue growth. The grant is part of Simply Business's global Big Dreams Project, aiming to help 10,000 small businesses start or scale by 2030.
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Five trailblazing small businesses selected from more than 6,500 applications to receive funding, mentorship and resources
After reviewing more than 6,500 applications from across
The Big Dreams Grant Winners
- BirdieBlue is a
Vermont -based sustainable outdoor adventure brand that upcycles hard-to-recycle outdoor gear into premium, American-made bags. - KneadED NEO LLC is an
Ohio -based worker-owned cooperative bakery and shared commercial kitchen space designed to empower aspiring local food entrepreneurs. - Rise & Ritual is a
Pennsylvania -based tea house and apothecary that blends plant medicine with preventative care. - Select Auto Parts & Sales is a
Wisconsin -based indoor salvage facility that services over 400 repair shops while offering community workforce training. - Stereotype Co is a
New York -based lifestyle brand and creative agency that empowersNew York City public school students to design, manufacture, and launch merchandise-driven businesses directly from their classrooms.
"These entrepreneurs show us exactly what is possible when passion and commitment meet a big dream," said Samantha Roady,
Boosting Small Business Growth
"The first thing I'm going to do with this grant is to hire someone who can do outreach," said Dave Nudelman, founder of Stereotype Co., "Right now, I'm doing everything. I'm doing the sales calls. I'm doing the zooms. On top of this, I'm in the schools throughout the week to run the programs and I'm preparing all of the orders for the projects. Yes, it's been fun and given me a good workout, but I feel the burn from it."
His experience reflects a common challenge. According to a 2026 Simply Business survey,
"A strong support system helps a small business endure," said Bo Ghirardelli, CEO and Co-founder of Sky's the Limit. "We're excited to welcome the finalists into our vibrant entrepreneur community and equip them with our Launchpad program, including mentorship and software tools to help secure long-term success."
For business owners on the ground, that sense of community isn't just a perk – it's essential for survival.
"Be in the community. Don't do this alone. It can be a lonely thing to be a business owner," said Natasha Broxton, owner of Select Auto Parts. "Talk about your business. Share your journey. You never know who might have a resource or solution that you don't even know about. There are so many people inside and outside the community who want you to succeed."
About the Big Dreams Grant 2026 Program
- Direct Funding: Five winners will each receive
$5,000 - Mentorship and Training: Winners and finalists will join Sky's the Limit's business accelerator and mentorship program, receiving strategic guidance from experienced business leaders.
- Tools and Systems: Winners and finalists will gain access to Sky's the Limit's Launchpad platform, a suite of tools to streamline operations, automate workflows and focus on revenue growth.
For more information on the winners and finalists, please visit https://www.simplybusiness.com/campaign/bigdreamsgrant/.
About Simply Business
Simply Business helps small businesses compare quotes and buy insurance from leading carriers in minutes and manage their coverage all in one place. The company is dedicated to making small business insurance simple and accessible by offering transparency, choice and value. Simply Business's product offerings include general liability, professional liability, business owner's policies, workers compensation, cyber insurance and more.
An insurtech pioneer, Simply Business has 20 years of experience supporting the needs of small businesses, with over one million active customers. Founded in the
About Sky's the Limit
Sky's the Limit is a nonprofit digital business accelerator that helps early-stage, underestimated entrepreneurs gain traction, generate revenue and build scalable businesses through mentorship, community, startup grants, and hands-on execution support. For more information, visit https://www.skysthelimit.org.
MyAnh Nghiem, myanh.nghiem@simplybusiness.com
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SOURCE Simply Business