State officials present small business EDGE grants

For Susan and Mark Guiteras, state grant funding enabled them to go from conceiving their business to being the spot where state officials came to announce the winners of the 2023 Encouraging Development, Growth and Expansion grant, also known as EDGE.

The couple’s business, Delaware Dynamix, was one of 10 businesses statewide announced Feb. 6 to receive funding. Delaware Dynamix, located off Route 9 in Harbeson, opened earlier this year and will be a place for kids to take part in gymnastics and associated activities. 

“It’s been a whirlwind,” Susan said. “Getting the business plan going and applying for the grant, and seeing how that would go and have them say, ‘We’d also like to host it at one of the recipients’ locations.’”

This is the seventh round of EDGE funding, which is overseen by the Division of Small Business. To be eligible for a grant, a business must be less than 7 years old and have fewer than 10 full-time employees. Applications are reviewed, and 16 finalists are selected to pitch their proposal to an outside panel. 

Grants are given to two categories of businesses, divided into STEM-based companies, which can receive up to $100,000 in funding, and non-STEM, or entrepreneurial companies, which receive up to $50,000. Delaware Dynamix fits into the entrepreneurial category and was joined by businesses in Smyrna, Dover, Wilmington and Hockessin. Five businesses were selected in the STEM category – four from Wilmington and Marin’s Med in Georgetown.

Gov. John Carney said, “Building a strong economy starts with supporting our small business community. The EDGE grant program provides young businesses with much-needed capital assistance that they may not have access to otherwise.”

Deputy Secretary of State Kristopher Knight said, “Helping small businesses succeed in Delaware is so important to maintaining a healthy economy. With the assistance of the EDGE grants, the state is fostering innovation by giving them a much-needed financial boost to make their dreams a reality.”

The Guiterases have been involved in gymnastics and youth coaching for 30 years, Susan said. After Mark retired, they wanted to do some kind of small business, and Susan felt there was an unmet need for kids to do gymnastics classes in the Cape Region. 

“What went from an idea that we kicked around off and on for a few years became ‘Well, we could do it,’ to looking for a building and equipment. A lot of things were falling into place,” Susan said. 

Mark added, “I enjoy watching people become successful. I like watching children learn and become successful. Hopefully we have good kids and they become stronger.”

For more information on Delaware Dynamix, go to delawaredynamix.com.