IDEA Act of 2025

This legislation, known as the Increasing and Developing Entrepreneurship Access Act of 2025 or the IDEA Act of 2025 , mandates the Under Secretary of Commerce for Minority Business Development to establish a grant program within 180 days of its enactment. This program aims to provide financial assistance to business accelerator entities to enhance entrepreneurship opportunities for minority business enterprises . Each grant will provide $1,000,000 annually for five consecutive years, with the federal share not exceeding 75% of the total funds used by the accelerator. Grant funds are specifically designated for providing capital, including direct cash transfers, and establishing networking programs that connect minority businesses to sources of capital and innovation within a defined region, which must contain at least 15 minority business enterprises, each generating over $250,000 in annual revenue. The Under Secretary must submit annual reports to Congress on the program's activities and compliance. Knowingly misusing grant funds is classified as a misdemeanor, punishable by fines or imprisonment, and the bill authorizes an appropriation of $25,000,000 for each fiscal year from 2026 through 2030 to support this initiative.