What Delaware Economic Development Office (DEDO) does

The Delaware Division of Small Business is a state government agency within the Delaware Department of State that provides direct assistance, funding programs, and resources to Delaware's small business community. Headquartered in Dover with a regional office in Wilmington, the Division operates through three regional Business Managers covering Sussex, Kent, and New Castle/Wilmington counties, and serves as a one-stop coordinating hub linking businesses to nearly 100 partner organizations offering more than 300 programs. Its core product is a portfolio of state-administered economic development programs including the EDGE Grant Competition ($400K Entrepreneur / $750K STEM), State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI, $60.9M across four programs), Delaware Grocery Initiative, Foreign Trade Zone #99, 25 Opportunity Zones, the Delaware Film Tax Credit, Site Readiness Fund, Delaware Strategic Fund, and Modernization Investment Support Initiative (MISI). The Division also operates the SizeUp Delaware business analytics tool (third-party platform) for market intelligence, the Business Resource Connection portal, and chairs the Delaware Economic Development Authority (DEDA), which issues bonds for economic development projects under Title 29, Chapter 87.

The Division does not generate revenue from services. It is funded by state and federal government appropriations and administers incentive programs (grants, loans, tax credits) as pass-through capital to support Delaware businesses. Its go-to-market motion is sales-led and field-based: Business Managers deliver face-to-face advisory services by region, supported by an events calendar (Business 2.0 Help for Entrepreneurs, workshops), an online portal, and a participating lender network (Del-One FCU, True Access Capital, Community Bank, Grow America) for SSBCI program delivery. Customer segments span early-stage entrepreneurs, established SMBs, minority/women/veteran-owned businesses, real estate investors in Opportunity Zones, and food system organizations. Services are free at point of use; eligibility for incentive programs varies by program.

The Division's structural moat derives from its statutory authority as a state instrumentality. As the Grantee Administrator of FTZ #99 under U.S. Customs and Border Protection oversight, with magnet sites at Port of Wilmington (425 acres), Citrosuco North America, Delaware City Refining, and AstraZeneca, it controls federal trade infrastructure access unavailable to private actors. Its leadership team includes Division Director CJ Bell, Deputy Division Director Jaimie Watts, and functional directors for Tourism, Supplier Diversity, and Small Business Access.

Name

Delaware Economic Development Office (DEDO)

Legal name

Delaware Division of Small Business

Website

https://dedo.delaware.gov

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Delaware Division of Small Business is a state government agency within the Delaware Department of State that delivers direct assistance, grants, loans, and tax incentive programs to Delaware small businesses and entrepreneurs through regional Business Managers and a statewide partner network.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Economic Development Services

NAICS

Administration of General Economic Programs (92611), Administration of Urban Planning and Community and Rural Development (92512), Public Finance Activities (92113)

akta.pro primary industry

Economic Development & Business Licensing (Local) (BPAIACAN)

akta.pro secondary industry

Trade, Industry & Economic Development Administration (BPAIAAAL)

Keywords

• Economic development services
• Small business grants
• State business assistance
• Foreign trade zone services
• Business incentive programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Dover

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Government Funding: The Delaware Division of Small Business is a service-focused agency funded by state and federal government appropriations. It does not generate revenue from services but rather disburses funds through various incentive programs including grants, loans, and tax credits to support Delaware businesses.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The Delaware Economic Development Office (DEDO), operating through the Delaware Division of Small Business within the Delaware Department of State, administers a portfolio of economic development programs that help Delaware small businesses start, grow, and succeed. The agency provides free, personalized business assistance through regional Business Managers, administers grant, loan, and tax credit incentive programs, and operates tools like the SizeUp Delaware Business Analytics platform. It does not generate revenue from services but rather disburses state and federal funds through incentive programs to support business formation, expansion, and site development across Delaware.

Product overview

The Delaware Division of Small Business (part of DEDO) operates as a multi-program service agency rather than a technology product company. The organization offers a portfolio of government economic development programs including the EDGE Grant Competition, SSBCI funding programs, Delaware Grocery Initiative, and various tax incentive programs. The primary digital offerings include the SizeUp Delaware Business Analytics Tool for market research and the Programs Portal connecting businesses to over 300 programs from nearly 100 partner organizations. Programs target small business funding, workforce development, site readiness, and economic revitalization across Delaware's communities.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Delaware On Main: An umbrella organization for Delaware's many active main street communities, operating under the Division of Small Business as the state's representative within the national Main Street America Coordinating Program.
• Delaware Grocery Initiative and First State Food System Program
• EDGE Grant Competition

Products and services

• SizeUp Delaware Business Analytics Tool Free cloud-based market research and business intelligence tool that enables Delaware business owners to access geographic, demographic, customer, and competitor data to make data-driven decisions about location, marketing, and growth.
• State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI) Capital access program that channels federal SSBCI funds (approximately $60.9 million allocated to Delaware) through participating lenders and investment partners to support small business loans, venture capital, and loan guarantee programs.
• EDGE Grant Competition Competitive grant program that awards funding to Delaware small businesses to incentivize job creation, capital investment, and operational expansion, with awards tied to business growth commitments.
• Delaware Grocery Initiative Initiative that provides grants and loans to support grocery stores, food retailers, and food system businesses operating in or planning to enter underserved Delaware communities.
• Delaware Film Tax Credit Tax credit incentive for qualifying film, television, and digital media productions that film in Delaware, reducing their state tax liability in exchange for in-state spending and job creation.
• Delaware Opportunity Zones Program Program that promotes long-term private investment in federally designated low-income Opportunity Zones throughout Delaware by offering state tax incentives for qualifying investments in zone-based businesses and real estate projects.
• Foreign Trade Zone #99 Foreign Trade Zone administered on behalf of the U.S. Foreign Trade Zones Board, allowing Delaware businesses to defer, reduce, or eliminate U.S. customs duties on imported merchandise stored, processed, or re-exported from the zone.
• Site Readiness Fund Fund that provides grants for site preparation activities such as environmental assessment, infrastructure, engineering, and entitlements to make commercial and industrial sites shovel-ready for prospective tenants and developers.
• Delaware On Main Program that supports the revitalization of Delaware's traditional main street and downtown commercial districts through technical assistance and grant funding to small businesses, municipalities, and nonprofit partners.
• Delaware Strategic Fund Strategic investment fund used by DEDO to attract and retain companies considering Delaware for relocation, expansion, or new operations through customized financial assistance tied to job creation and capital investment commitments.
• Modernization Investment Support Initiative (MISI) Initiative that provides tax credits to existing Delaware manufacturers and processors investing in equipment, technology, and process modernization to enhance productivity and competitiveness.
• Graduated Lab Space Funding Capital funding program that supports the development of graduated wet lab and innovation space for life sciences startups and growing companies in Delaware.
• Delaware Technical Innovation Program (DTIP) Research and development grant program that supports technology-based innovation, product development, and commercialization activities by Delaware-based companies and entrepreneurs.
• Regional Business Manager Assistance Free, personalized one-on-one business advisory service delivered by DEDO Business Managers who serve as regional points of contact covering Sussex County, Kent County, New Castle County, and the City of Wilmington to help business owners navigate programs, incentives, and resources.

Quantifiable outcome

• Delaware's 25 Opportunity Zones cover 97,254 residents with 11 zones including Downtown Development Districts for stacked incentives
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and supporting.

• Del-One Federal Credit UnioncoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorParticipating lender for Delaware SSBCI loan programs (DELPP and DCAP), providing small business financing with DSB support.
• True Access CapitalcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCommunity Development Financial Institution (CDFI) serving as participating lender for SSBCI loan programs, focusing on underserved communities.
• Community Bank (Delaware)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorParticipating lender for Delaware SSBCI loan programs, providing traditional banking services for small business loans.
• Delaware Small Business Development Center (SBDC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to provide free technical assistance to small business owners meeting with lenders for SSBCI programs, helping borrowers meet lender requirements.
• Delaware Council on Farm & Food PolicycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the Delaware Grocery Initiative and First State Food System Program, working together to expand access to healthy foods in Delaware food deserts.
• Main Street AmericacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational coordinating program for which Delaware On Main serves as the state's representative. Operates under the Main Street Approach focusing on Economic Vitality, Promotion, Design, and Organization.
• Port of WilmingtonmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMagnet Site #1 for Foreign Trade Zone #99, located at the Port of Wilmington with 425-acre waterfront property and logistics capabilities.
• First State Pre-KsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoalition partner focused on expanding access to publicly funded high quality early care and education, creating the Guide to Opening A Childcare Business in Delaware.
• Delaware Black Chamber of CommercecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization hosting Minority Supplier Diversity sessions with City of Wilmington, supporting minority business development and procurement opportunities.
• APEX Accelerators DEcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFederal contracting assistance program partnering with Delaware Black Chamber of Commerce for matchmaking events with City of Wilmington procurement officials.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Others

• International Economic Development Council (IEDC): Professional association for economic developers that provides training, certification, and best practice dissemination to state and local EDOs including DEDO staff. Adjacent ecosystem participant rather than direct competitor.

Direct peers

• Maryland Department of Commerce: State cabinet-level agency operating economic development, workforce, and tourism programs. Direct comparable in scope (economic development + tourism + small business support) and a neighboring-state competitor.
• Virginia Economic Development Partnership: State authority marketing Virginia for business location and expansion, administering incentive negotiations and site development. Direct comparable in business attraction/retention focus.
• New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA): State-level economic development authority administering tax credits, bond financing, and grant programs for NJ businesses. Direct comparable in structure, statutory authority, and SMB/large employer programs — and a regional competitor for business attraction.
• Empire State Development (New York): New York's primary economic development organization operating tax incentive programs (Excelsior Jobs, START-UP NY) and small business support. Direct comparable in incentive administration and program scale.
• Pennsylvania Department of Community & Economic Development: Commonwealth-level agency administering business attraction, small business, and community development programs. Direct comparable in program portfolio (grants, tax credits, financing) and a regional competitor.
• Massachusetts Executive Office of Economic Development: Cabinet-level secretariat coordinating Massachusetts economic development programs across multiple sub-agencies. Direct comparable in coordinating role and small business / workforce programs.

Broad incumbents

• U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA): Federal agency administering loan guarantee programs, contracting certification, and small business counseling that complement state EDO offerings. Broad incumbent providing the federal infrastructure (e.g., SSBCI funding) Delaware channels.
• U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA): Federal bureau within the U.S. Department of Commerce providing infrastructure grants and planning assistance. Operates one level above state EDOs as the federal counterpart distributing Public Works and Economic Adjustment Assistance funding.

Emerging players

• Main Street America: National nonprofit coordinating program for which Delaware On Main (a DEDO program) serves as the state coordinating program. Comparable as the umbrella partner for downtown revitalization under the Main Street Approach.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/delaware_gov
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCUKziW6tPCKIUVtdn0_zi0A
• Facebookfacebook.com/DelawareSmallBusiness
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/delaware-economic-development-office
• Instagraminstagram.com/delawaresmallbusiness

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Delaware Economic Development Office (DEDO)