Overview Of Business Funding
Business funding can be necessary when you start a business, or you might need to tap into extra funds to expand your company. Finding the funds for a company can be challenging, especially with lending standards becoming more stringent. It may be tempting to max out a credit card to pay business expenses. However, this comes with some personal risk if you have trouble paying the balance, and you are forced to pay high-interest payments.
Small Business Innovation Research And Small Business Technology Transfer Programs
The SBIR and STTR programs are some of the best government grants available to for-profit small businesses innovating in science and technology. They are highly competitive and incentivize small businesses to conduct research and development, in hopes to eventually commercialize their product.
In addition to funding, these programs also offer opportunities for small businesses to work with nonprofit organizations. To be eligible, you must operate a U.S.-based small business that is more than 50% U.S.-citizen owned and has less than 500 employees.
These programs are broken down into three phases:
- Phase I: Award is between $50,000 and $250,000 for six months or one year . The objective is to determine technical merit, commercial potential and feasibility.
- Phase II: Award is generally $750,000 for two years . The objective is to continue research and development efforts from Phase I.
- Phase III: Funding is not provided by SBIR or STTR programs. The objective is to pursue commercialization.
Where To Get Free Money To Start A Small Business
Money moves a small business growth engine. But finding a business loan is not easy when you have just a business idea. In such a situation, you often think how do I get free money to start a business?
The good news is you can get free money to start a small business. Many organizations, government and private, offer business grants to help people realize their dream of running a business.
Whether youre thinking about starting a new business or youre already running one, these business grants can help you get going in the time of a cash crunch.
Lets dive in:
You May Like: Government Life Insurance For Seniors
Global Flagship Accelerator Program
Small businesses and startups are looking for funds or grants all year round they can look for 500 global flagship accelerator programs. Since 2010, this program is helping those businesses and startups and offers the opportunity for a four-month accelerated program, but for those that are based in San Francisco. Not only this, but the program offers this help apart from a $150,000 investment. If you want to check for the rules to participate in the program, then you can visit the programs website.
Look For Grants Within Your Industry
A lot of small business grants are industry specific, so it can help narrow down your search if you focus on organizations and research institutions within your particular industry. Focusing on one industry also builds buzz around your business, and can help build connections with industry figures who may be able to offer guidance and investment opportunities.
Don’t Miss: Can The Government Take Your Property Without Paying For It
Small Business Grants For Startups
Many small business grants are open only to businesses that have been operating for a few years and have an established product or service. However, its often the newest businesses that need the most financial assistance and traditional loans to start a business can be hard to find. Therefore, you might check out these grants for small business startups.
Recommended Reading: Government Grants For Home Repairs Seniors
Types Of Grants Available To Small Businesses
Grants of many types are available to small business owners and grouped into four main categories. Your eligibility for these grants will depend on your products and services, how you own your business, and your business’s mission.
The four types of grants available to business owners are:
You May Like: Baltimore County Government Jobs Openings
Fedex Small Business Grant
FedEx hosts a small business grant contest to provide funding for ambitious entrepreneurs. The contest has tough competition, with nearly 18,000 applicants for the tenth annual grant in 2022.
- Award amount: $15,000$50,000
- How to apply: Visit the FedEx website for specific application details.
This grant is open to small business models with a story worth telling,” so if you plan to apply, pinpoint what makes your business unique.
Types Of Small Business Grant
To help small business grants, there are various types of business grants are available. If you want to get help for your small business then you can look for the small business grant for your business and check that you are eligible for it or not.
You can see that there are small business grants are available by the government as well. It includes the entities like U.S. Small Business Administration and many other important departments such as the National Institute of Health. All these administrations and departments have industry-specific requirements for applicants. Along with them, some of the private companies also offer grants to help small businesses. Maybe those grants are more general and open on a wider base. So that businesses that need help will get help from their grants. However, some of the grants target specific groups that include women, veterans, minority entrepreneurs, and others.
Also Check: Small Business Requirements For Government Contracts
What Is A Startup Small Business Grant
A startup small business grant is monetary funding from the government or an organization that is given in order to help small companies and nonprofits succeed in building and growing their business. Unlike loans, you dont have to pay this money back. Theres no collateral that youre required to put up, and you wont need to pay fees or interest. The best part about grants is that the money is yours to keep, and youll never have to pay it back after using it for your startup.
While grant money is awarded to you, it may come with rules that dictate how you can spend it. For example, lets say you apply for a grant that is to be used to advance the technology in your business so that you and your team can work faster and produce more of your product. If you were to use that money to pay your team instead of to buy new technology and equipment, you may have to pay the funds back. You may be guilty of fraud, too, which could cause legal issues for you and your business.
If you do receive a small business startup grant, its imperative that you meet the funders accounting and reporting guidelines and that you spend the money on what the grant covers and nothing else.
Business Grants For Women
On top of all the grants weve looked at so far, there are several grants and resources specifically for small women-owned businesses.
I encourage you to visit your local Womens Business Centers if possible there are over 100 across the United States. They will be able to point you towards additional grant options or help you find alternative funding methods.
To become eligible, you first need to win a local InnovateHer challenge to qualify for the national competition.
Any type of business is eligible to compete, but those geared towards women and their social problems typically do best.
Also Check: Government Money For New Business
Small Business Technology Transfer Program
The STTR program is another competitive grant program that expands funding opportunities for innovation research and development for federal agencies. Both the SBIR and the STTR programs encourage research partnerships, but STTR requires each applicant to collaborate with a non-profit research institution during the first two phases of the program. To qualify, you must operate a for-profit business with less than 500 employees and fulfill all eligibility requirements.
You can also find SBIR and STTR programs offered through the Department of Energy and Department of Defense.
See a list of solicitations posted by federal agencies and filter by program, agency, or phase. Click any headline for further details on how to apply.
Also Check: Federal Government Jobs San Antonio Tx
Small Business Grants Industry
Here are lots of business grants available for people that are confined to a specific entrepreneur demographic or business profile. Along with this, they also may have an application process that makes it easy to navigate them. You have to check for the non-profits and large corporations that will be helpful for you to get the business grant in your geographic industry or area. Here is a complete list of the organizations and corporations that offer help to small businesses whether are of a different kind.
Read Also: Papa Johns Government Street
Don’t Miss: Government Assistance For Car Loans
Focus Your Pitch On Innovation And Expansion
Organizations that issue small business grants typically favor business that they see as innovative, forward thinking, and on a path to growth. Focus your pitch on how you plan to scale, any new technologies you might be developing, and what your business can do to help the organization with its mission.
Find A Relevant Grant
If you want to get a startup business grant, first you need to find a grant to apply for.
Maybe you already have one in mind. In that case, you can skip ahead to the next step. If you dont, its time to start looking. We have some tips on where to look .
Remember, though, that youre not just looking for any grant. Youre looking for a grant that you can use for your business. Most grants specify how the funds can be used. So if you want to buy equipment, for example, dont bother with grants that have to be used to hire more staff.
Once you think youve found a grant, its time to take a closer look at the application requirements.
Don’t Miss: Government Stimulus Chase 30 Day Overdraft Assistance
Grants And Gift Grants
Grants are much more common for endeavors like charities, nonprofits, or social enterprises. Dont be envious, though, its hard work to get a foot in the door with a grantmaker, and often funds come with stringent requirements and oversight.
As far as grand gifts go, well, heres hoping a bag of money lands on your doorstep. If youve ever watched the show Shark Tank this will be familiar to you, as the sharks will often haggle over what kind of stake they get in exchange for the money theyre going to sink into the business.
READ MORE:
Entrepreneurs tend to want to reduce the amount of equity they give away because this means lower profits for them in the future. This can also be risky because if more than half of a companys equity is sold, that means a potential loss of control.
Now, how do you get your entrepreneurial paws on this cash? On to the juicy bits:
How To Find A Grant For A Small Business
A quick Google search will pull up millions of results for business grants. So many possibilities are out there that it can seem impossible to narrow down the prospects. But there are a few resources that can not only help you find the right grants for your business, but even assist in the application process, and help you identify grant opportunities that cant be missed.
You May Like: Hotels That Offer State Government Discounts
How To Apply For A Small Business Grant
Work smart AND hard. Instead of filling out an individual grant application, do what every job applicant does and create a resume for your business that outlines your answers to the common questions business grant-givers ask of their applicants. While grants are technically free money, that doesnt mean they come without hard work on your part.
Some applications will vary based on whats required. For example, a local government grant will likely require an explanation of how your businesss growth and development will benefit local commerce directly, while a grant from a private company like FedEx may require a persuasive video.
Here are a few common details you may need to provide when applying for a business grant:
Business Grants Vs Business Loans
As discussed above, with a grant you do not have to repay the funds. However, if you have just launched your business or youre in the early startup phase, you may not be eligible for many grants. Another potential limitation with grants is that many grants have strict requirements concerning the grant application process and the grant proposal. If your application or proposal doesnt meet the specific requirements mandated by the agency, your request will be rejected.
If youre just starting out in business and its unlikely that you will be awarded a grant, you may want to consider finding a loan provider.
One advantage of a business loan is that you can secure the capital you need to meet your needs, whereas with a grant, the amounts are fixed and may not sufficiently meet your companys needs. Another advantage is that some lenders may have more relaxed requirements, such as a lower minimum monthly income or lower minimum time in business.
Don’t Miss: Government Paying Off Student Loans
What Type Of New Business Grants Are Available
Government grants are available in all kinds of forms from reduced costs and free equipment, to cash awards to help your new business grow.
Generally, government grants come in the form of a direct grant.
Direct grant this is money given to your new business to cover start-up essentials such as training, investment in equipment, or reaching new markets such as overseas exports opens in new window. Most grants will expect your business to provide 50% of the value of the grant, but funds of up to £500,000 are available depending on your business sector.
Government Grants For Single Moms Starting A Business
Yes, there are available government grants for single moms to start their businesses in the United States of America. The fact that single moms have to carter for their kids alone and also take care of themselves means that they can only survive if they receive some form of support from the government and other stakeholders such as nonprofit organizations.
According to the 2021 U.S. Census Bureau, out of about 11 million single parent families with children under the age of 18, nearly 80 percent were headed by single mothers. Of all single-parent families in the U.S., single mothers make up the majority. About 4 out of 10 children were born to unwed mothers.
It is important to note that there are quite a few business grants available for single moms to start their businesses in the United Statesand the government indeed provides a substantial amount of funding for small business grants. If you are seeking grants to start or sustain an already established business as a single mom, here are the top grants to consider.
Read Also: Federal Government Employee Discounts List
How Do I Qualify For A Small Business Grant
Each grant has specific qualifications youll need to meet in order to apply. Its important to review these first so you dont waste your time applying for grants you arent eligible for.
Some may require you to be in a certain industry. Others may require you to be in business a certain amount of time or be generating a certain revenue. You may have restrictions on how you use the funds.
Alternatives To Small Business Grants
If you dont have the patience to apply for a small business grant and wait to see if youve been awarded it, look to other options to get the financing you need.
There are plenty of small business loans available, no matter what your credit profile. If your business is established and you have excellent credit, you might qualify for a bank or SBA loan with lower interest rates. If you want access to some cash now and more later, look for a line of credit.
If youre working to build your credit, you may be able to get a merchant cash advance or invoice financing. And if youre just looking for a way to purchase what your business needs, there are plenty of small business credit cards available to you.
This article was originally written on November 19, 2019 and updated on June 13, 2022.
Also Check: Best Hotel Discounts For Government Employees
You May Like: Women’s Business Loans From The Government
