The announcement centered around the relaunch of the State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI), a $60 million federal funding program designed to support small businesses and startups. The catch? The funding isn’t released all at once. Delaware must deploy 80% of each $20 million round before unlocking the next. The first round was distributed in 2023 under the leadership of former DBS Director Regina Mitchell.
“We managed to get $1.04 million into the marketplace [last year, in 2024]. Thanks to the hard work of our team, we’ve already tripled that—currently, we’ve deployed nearly $3 million, with $11 million still to go,” CJ shared with a crowd of entrepreneurs, business and community leaders, Mill members, and more.
Now in year three, Delaware must disburse $16 million by the end of 2025—or risk losing the remaining $40 million.
“If we lose this opportunity, I won’t be standing here serving the state government. That’s how serious this is,” CJ said.
Throughout the event, the message was clear: this is a defining moment for Delaware’s entrepreneurial economy. And the stories of businesses who’ve already accessed these funds—like WhipFlip, Carbon Reform, Chris Buccini, and Robert Herrera—are proof of what’s possible when capital meets opportunity.
Governor Matt Meyer, who closed out the event, echoed that urgency and potential: “We can be that innovation hub again—but it’s up to us.”
The Four Paths to Capital: Delaware’s SSBCI Programs at a Glance
Delaware’s SSBCI funding is distributed through four key programs, designed to meet entrepreneurs where they are—whether they’re building traditional small businesses or scaling high-growth startups.
Loan & Startup Support Programs:
- Delaware Capital Access Program (DCAP) – Designed to help businesses with limited collateral or credit challenges access funding.
- Delaware Loan Participation Program (DELPP) – These programs are backed by trusted financial partners, such as Community Bank, Del-One Federal Credit Union, and True Access Capital.
- Delaware Accelerator & Seed Capital Program (DASCP) – Allows the state to invest up to $1 million in promising startups that have completed a seed round.
- Delaware Early Stage Venture Capital Program (DESVC) – Provides equity investments of up to $5 million for socially and economically disadvantaged founders building high-impact companies.
To explore these programs in more detail, visit Delaware SSBCI.
A Relationship-Driven Approach to Economic Growth
CJ emphasized that Delaware’s economic growth strategy is rooted in relationships. The DBS team works alongside founders—not just during funding rounds but before and after—to ensure that no one builds their businesses alone.
That theme of relationship-building was front and center when Chris Buccini, co-founder of Buccini/Pollin Group and one of the partners behind The Mill, spoke about the decade-long journey he shared with Robert Herrera and how the stars aligned bringing them together to bring The Mill to life.
Chris also emphasized how Roger Clappe, founder of WhipFlip, has become the “poster child” Mill member—an entrepreneur whose momentum started with a simple garage conversation and grew into a thriving, venture-backed tech company. Roger later reflected on how that initial connection—and Chris’s mentorship—has helped shape his leadership journey. It’s proof that sometimes the biggest opportunities begin by just showing up.
“There’s no better example of why it’s important to be back in the office than Roger Clappe,” Chris said. “I met Roger in the garage. He was always pulling up in a new car—a Mercedes, a Ferrari—on the phone, hustling. I’d be on a call too, and I remember thinking, ‘Who is this guy?!’ We started chatting in the garage, then meeting up for coffee at Starbucks at Market West. I didn’t even realize he was working out of The Mill at first. Eventually, I used his AI platform, WhipFlip, to sell two cars—and I was blown away. I wish I had two more cars to sell!”
He continued, “It was those micromoments—getting to know each other, seeing him show up day after day—that mattered. I watched him grow from a dedicated desk member to having his own office, and then to the big, magical corner suite. That space has some history—Ally Financial used to occupy it before they sold their company for a billion dollars. And now, seeing Roger receive the SSBCI award in 2025… that’s what happens when you show up.”
Celebrating Nine Years of Growth at The Mill
April 1st marked The Mill’s ninth anniversary. What began as 6,000 square feet of coworking space on the fourth floor of the Nemours Building has grown into 90,000 square feet of energy, innovation, and entrepreneurial spirit.
Chris shared the origin story: a trip to NYC to explore coworking trends turned into a serendipitous meeting with Robert Herrera, who was working as an architect in New York City, designing WeWork coworking spaces at the time, and learned how he wanted to come home to Delaware and bring coworking to Wilmington.
“If you look at what we created here, Robert Herrera is the genius behind it. The blood, sweat, and tears are his,” Chris said.
The name The Mill pays homage to Delaware’s legacy, specifically the DuPont family’s gunpowder mill along the Brandywine River. But instead of gunpowder, The Mill generates startups, creativity, and game-changing innovation.
“There wasn’t a physical space where Delaware’s small business economy could come together and feel comfortable,” Chris explained. “We built that here [at The Mill] —with chairs, desks, Wi-Fi, and everything you need to grow.”
WhipFlip: From Garage to Growth
One of the standout stories from the SSBCI relaunch event was that of Roger Clappe, founder and CEO of WhipFlip, an AI-powered automotive technology company that’s redefining how consumers and dealers connect. A Delcastle VoTech graduate who has spent his life in Delaware, Roger has built a company deeply rooted in Delaware grit, innovation, and community—and is now leading it into rapid expansion.
WhipFlip is the 2025 SSBCI awardee, and CJ Bell highlighted Roger’s journey as a powerful example of local entrepreneurship. “It’s only right that I bring up an awardee who has been through the process of the 2025 disbursements. Roger, here with WhipFlip, is a great testimony of someone who has built his business locally, leveraged the available resources, and made a strong commitment to staying in Delaware and hiring more Delawareans,” CJ shared.
In his remarks, Roger expressed deep gratitude to mentors and collaborators who’ve shaped his path, beginning with Chris Buchini.
“We often talk business,” Roger said, “and I’ve noticed he’s always one of the last people here at night. I’m competitive, so sometimes I wonder—should I go back upstairs and keep working?”
That kind of relentless drive has fueled WhipFlip’s climb from a garage startup to a company with operations in nine states and growing.
The Mill has played a vital role in that growth.
A member since April 2022, Roger reflected on the company’s journey: “From a shared space to a small office, and now one of the largest tenants on the fourth floor of The Mill—it’s been a remarkable evolution.” He credited The Mill’s flexibility, resources, and support as essential in scaling WhipFlip with agility. “This is a community—an emerging ecosystem of entrepreneurship and technology.”
Roger also gave insight into WhipFlip’s business model, describing how the company has created “the ‘DoorDash’ of car selling.” Their platform allows users to sell a car in under five minutes and three steps. But unlike Carvana or Vroom, WhipFlip isn’t trying to dominate the consumer market—it’s focused on becoming the supply chain backbone for used vehicles, working directly with dealers who need inventory. “We’ve figured out how to make the process seamless for both sides.”
Throughout his speech, Roger emphasized the importance of people over product. “You can have the best product in the world, but without the right people—especially in an early-stage company—you won’t make it. Our team grinds every single day. Many have been with us for years. And now, we’re continuing to grow, especially in AI and technology roles.”
He thanked key dealer partners and investors, including Union Park Automotive Group, IG Burton, and Sansson Auto, as well as the Delaware Prosperity Partnership, Governor Matt Meyer, and CJ Bell for championing the state’s startup ecosystem. “The resources are here. The proximity to major cities is unmatched. Delaware is the hidden gem.”
Roger closed with a powerful message: “To any early-stage, high-growth tech company—this is where you should be. The Mill. Delaware. There’s no better place to grow your company.”
WhipFlip is just getting started—and so is the state of Delaware.
Carbon Reform: Scaling Climate-Tech from the First State
Nick Martin, co-founder of Carbon Reform, gave a quick but powerful look at the startup’s climate-tech mission. Their innovation? Retrofitting commercial HVAC systems to capture CO₂ and transform it into building materials—improving air quality and reducing emissions.
The idea started at DuPont’s Experimental Station and scaled at the Delaware Innovation Space. Support from programs like NSF I-Corps, EDGE Grants, Startup302, and early backing from the Division of Small Business helped Carbon Reform grow from lab idea to real-world solution.
Nick made it clear: “There’s no Carbon Reform without Delaware.”
Governor Meyer’s Call to Action: Let’s Build Together
Governor Matt Meyer closed the event by encouraging founders to hold the state accountable—and to take full advantage of the opportunities available now.
“Delaware’s entrepreneurial roots run deep,” he said. “With programs like SSBCI, EDGE, and DASCP—we have the resources. We have the proximity to major markets. This is where you should be.”
The Moment Is Now
This event wasn’t just about highlighting funding—it was about igniting momentum.
Delaware is aligning public and private efforts to create long-term support for startups and small businesses. From capital to coworking, from mentorship to infrastructure—the foundation is here. The only missing piece is action.
As CJ said, “The programs are live. The funding is real. And the impact is already showing.”
Delaware is betting on its entrepreneurs. Let’s show them they made the right call.
