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THIS SECTION ON SMALL, MINORITY AND WOMEN-OWNED BUSINESS
CONTAINS THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION...
 The Answer to Your Question: How Can I Get A Government Grant to
Start My Business? - (this page)
Links to General
Resources for Small, Minority, Women-Owned and
Other Disadvantaged
Businesses (this page).
Information on Small
Business Innovation Research and Technology Transfer
Programs (SBIR and STTR) - next page.
Links to Government Agency Offices of Small and Disadvantaged Business
Utilization.
Information on Business Plans and Proposals.
HOW CAN I GET A GOVERNMENT GRANT
TO START MY BUSINESS?
Unless your business involves the development of new technology or is a non-profit organization, you will be wasting your time looking for a grant. Read what the Small Business Administration has to say about this:
QUESTION: Are there any grants to start a business?
ANSWER No. Even though many publications and talk shows publicize grants to small businesses there is only one grant available and that is for research and development for technology based products and services for the government.
There are some specialized Government grants for businesses (but not for starting a business). You can find information on these grants on my Frequently Asked Questions Page. For information on other sources of funding, please visit my Government Loans and Other Financial Resources Page. There you'll find information on Small Business Administration (SBA) loans, State and Local Economic Development Programs, non-government business funding, and funding for rural businesses, housing, and farms.
Now you might be asking, "But what about other types of grants such as those from foundations, corporations, or private organizations?" Basically, the answer is the same. Click Here to learn more. On that page, you can also find links to many non-government organizations that provide grant funds. Many of them have specific requirements as to who is eligible to apply for and receive grant funding.
So now what? There are many other financing options that are available to you if you want to start a business. The Resources Below will help you find out about these options.
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GENERAL
RESOURCES FOR SMALL, MINORITY, WOMEN-OWNED AND OTHER DISADVANTAGED BUSINESSES
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ABCs of Borrowing
Are you looking for a business loan? Here you'll find information on the fundamentals of borrowing money, including credit worthiness, types of loans, amount of money needed, collateral, loan restrictions and limitations, loan applications, and lender evaluation of your loan application.
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Accion USA
Accion USA is a non-profit organization that provides credit to small business owners who can't access commercial loans.
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American Express Small Business Network
Of course they want you to sign up for their card, but you can also find useful information on Starting a Business, Finding and Managing Money, and other topics.
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BestOfSmallBusiness.com
Plenty of small business, entrepreneurial, and home office resources that have been gathered from Krislyn's Strictly Business Sites.
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Business.gov
This federal government site guides you through the maze of government rules and regulations and provides access to services and resources to help you start, grow, and succeed in business. Topics include government contracting, business laws, financing, special entrepreneurs (women, minorities, veterans, etc.), and more.
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Business Certifications
Loads of information on this site, including certification FAQs for SDB and 8(a) companies, certification info for women-owned businesses, and more. This is a commercial site that also sells certification software and services,
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Business Incubators
Incubators nurture young firms, helping them to survive and grow during the start-up period when they are most vulnerable. Incubators provide hands-on management assistance, access to financing and orchestrated exposure to critical business or technical support services. They also offer entrepreneurial firms shared office services, access to equipment, flexible leases and expandable space--all under one roof.
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Business Matchmaking
The Business Matchmaking Program is an event designed to match-up small business owners with contract procurement officers from federal, state, and local government agencies, and private companies that award procurement contracts.
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Business Planning Questions & Answers
An "Ask the Experts" site where you can read answers to questions asked by others or ask your own questions. Major sections include questions and answers on various aspects of Entrepreneurship (starting and financing a business); Business Plans; and Marketing Plans.
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Business Templates
Dowloadable Word, Excel and pdf templates for preparing business plans, financial statements, loan request, estimate of start-up expenses, sales forecasts, non-disclosure agreement, etc.
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Central Contractor Registration (CCR)
To do business with the Department of Defense, you must register with CCR. Registration can be done online at this site. There's an easy-to-follow handbook as well as other useful links and information.
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Count Me In
Count Me In for Women's Economic Independence is a new organization that makes small business
loans and gives training scholarships to women.
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The Credit Process: A Guide for Small Business Owners
This Guide is from the Federal Reserve Bank. Its purpose is to assist small business owners and entrepreneurs who are seeking outside financing for the first time.
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Criteria for Small Business Classification
Wondering if your business qualifies as a small business? This site will tell you.
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Digital Women - Women With Their Modems Running
Digital-Women is for women in business, women who want to be in business, and all women around the globe looking for a place to find free business resources, tips, marketing solutions, financial resources, networking opportunities, and more. Free membership
for women!
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Diversity 2000
The heart of this website is its free database of Minority and Women Business Enterprises (M/WBE's) and contacts within Fortune 1000 companies. You can register your company as a supplier at no charge. Suppliers' profiles are made available to buyers including Fortune 1000 companies, government agencies, associations, and other major purchasers nationwide seeking to do business with M/WBE's. You'll find a lot of other resources here as well.
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DoD
Mentor-Protege Program
This unique program seeks to
encourage major DoD prime contractors (mentors) to develop the technical
and business capabilities of small disadvantaged businesses and other eligible
proteges.
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Federal Business Opportunities (FedBizOps)
This site is designated as the single source for federal government procurement opportunities that exceed $25,000. If you are interested in bidding on government contracts, you can sign up to automatically receive procurement information. You can also search procurements by solicitation number, date, classification code, and agency for both active or archived solicitations.
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Finance Wizard - Find Your Financing
Tell the wizard what kind of financing you're looking for, and the wizard will tell you how and where to find it.
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Financing for For-Profit Organizations
A comprehensive site on business financing, with lots of links to good information.
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Finding the Cash for Your Business - Parts 1 & 2
This article from Business Week is written in response to the following question: "I am a small-business owner and have been searching for an investor or another way to obtain financing. I've been unable to obtain money from family or friends, I can't get conventional financing, and the SBA says I don't qualify. Where do I go from here? " Part 2 of the article is here.
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Franchise Financing
An article on various methods of financing a franchise. In addition, the "Franchising" tab at the top of this Startup Journal site will lead you to more information on franchises.
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Free Money for Small Business
Get the real scoop on grants for small businesses from Smart Money Magazine.
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Free Small Business Course
An interactive website that helps you plan and develop your business.
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Frequently
Asked Questions - Deborah's FAQ
My own page of Frequently Asked Questions. Please check this page before you contact me with a question.
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Frequently
Asked Questions - Government Contracting
Common questions on government
contracting for small businesses.
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Frequently Asked Questions - Starting a Business
This page from the SBA is useful to anyone who is interested in starting a business.
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Hispanic Business Federal Guide
Get information on 8(a) certification, procurement contacts within federal agencies, grant information, and more. You don't have to be Hispanic to find useful information here.
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How
Small Businesses Land Government Contracts
Thousands of contracts, worth
billions of dollars, bypass small firms each year because they do not know
about or understand the government procurement process. This site can help
you get started.
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How to Assemble a Loan Package
This article explains what a loan package is and the key components that go into putting a loan package together.
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How to Get an SBA Loan
A short article that explains the general criteria for obtaining a Small Business Administration (SBA) loan.
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How to Start a Business
A free online course providing business procedures, practical examples, and basic do's and don'ts for entrepreneurs. With audio sound bytes, quizzes, feedback and a tool to create your own business plan, the site is fully interactive.
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Loan Checklist
This page, by the Missouri Small Business Development Center, contains a listing and description of typical items that lenders require from a small business when applying for a loan.
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Loan Packaging
You may be able to increase your chances of getting a business loan by using a loan packaging service. Loan packagers can help you gather the necessary documents; make sure the financial information on your loan application makes sense; provide insights into specific banks' lending practices; coach business owners on how to talk to bankers; and suggest alternative financing.
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Local Business Information
Is there a Small Business Administration office, a SCORE chapter, a Better Business Bureau near you? Which financial institutions are top lenders to small businesses? Where are the city/county government offices? ---- Select your state and get all the information, top business news, resources and links.
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Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP)
MEP is a nationwide network of not-for-profit Centers in over 400 locations nationwide, whose sole purpose is to provide small and medium-sized manufacturers with the help they need to succeed. The Centers are linked together through the Department of Commerce's National Institute of Standards and Technology.
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Micro-Business Friendly Banks in the U.S.
If you're looking to borrow $100,000 or less, this list of banks is worth looking into although it is outdated. You will need the free Acrobat Reader to view this pdf file.
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Microenterprise - Entrepreneur Zone
Need help starting a small business? You can contact one of the members of the Association for Enterprise Opportunity, which can help you with micro-loans, training, technical assistance, access to services, and more. Microenterprise is defined as "a business employing 5 or fewer individuals, with start-up financing needs of $35,000 or less."
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MicroMentor
If you've been in business for more than six months, this non-profit organization may help you find a volunteer mentor to help you grow your company.
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Minority and Women-Owned Business Directory
A search engine for finding federally-certified minority and woman-owned businesses. Search by company name, industry, or location.
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Minority
Business Development Agency (MBDA)
The only Federal agency specifically
created to encourage the creation, growth, and expansion of minority-owned
businesses in the U.S.
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National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development
The United Indian Development Association (UIDA) Consulting Group, a subsidiary of the National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development, is dedicated to developing American Indian economic self-sufficiency through business ownership. UIDA works with various Indian communities in all phases of business planning and development. Funded by DOD's Defense Logistics Agency, UIDA provides procurement and technical assistance and bid leads to clients. It covers 2 BIA regions in 13 states and 49 reservations.
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PBS Small Business School
The Public Broadcasting System's website for small businesses. Contains transcripts and information from their TV show, resources, tips, paths and steps for developing small businesses, and more.
Prosper.com - People-to-People Lending
If you're a U.S. resident, you can request an unsecured loan for up to $25,000 for your business. Other people bid to lend money to you at the rate you request.
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SBA's
Government Contracting Home Page
If you are a small business,
the U.S. Small Business Administration web site should be the first place
you visit.
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SBA HUBZone
The HUBzone Empowerment Contracting program provides federal contracting opportunities for qualified small businesses located in distressed areas.
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SBA Online Courses - FREE!
A variety of free online courses from the Small Business Administration in the areas of Business Development, Financing, Certification, E-Commerce, and Federal Procurement.
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SBA Procurement and Contracting Hotlist
A listing of procurement and
government contracting links prepared by the Small Business Administration.
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SBA Small Business Planner
Includes lots of information on planning, starting and managing your business.
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SBA Assistance and Opportunities
A summary page of some of the many services and programs offered by the Small Business Administration.
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SCORE
- Service Corps Of Retired Executives
Did you know that you can get
FREE in-person and e-mail counseling and business advice? This site also
contains informative articles and links to various small business resources.
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Small
Business Development Centers (SBDC)
Find and get free business assistance
from a Center near you.
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Small Business Federal Government Contracting
 This is the blog of Ken Larson, a volunteer counselor with SCORE. Right at the top of this page you'll find a book on federal government contracting that you can obtain for free. Excerpts from the book are on the site, as are other useful posts aimed at small businesses.
By Ken Larson
"To effectively market a federal government contract a small business must sell on the basis of having a business system as well as technical performance
infrastructure ready to run the job when a contract proposal is submitted. This
dual requirement is where many small businesses fall short in their federal
government contract start up planning."
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Small Business Grants
The U.S. government does not currently provide grants for starting or expanding a small business.
However, the government does offer plenty of free help in planning how to start or improve your business and in securing low-interest SBA-backed small business loans.
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Small
Business Investment Companies
Small Business Investment Companies
(SBICs) and Specialized Small Business Investment Companies (SSBICs) are
financial institutions that make equity capital and long-term credit available
to small, independent businesses.
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Small
Disadvantaged Business (SDB) Information
SDB Regulations, applicable
industries, how to apply for SDB certification, searching for SDBs, and
more.
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Startup Journal
This site, developed by the Wall Street Journal, contains articles and resources related to starting a business. There's information on technology, financing, franchising, running a business, and more.
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Starting a Business in a Low-Income Area
This article provides a starting place for finding government aid if you're looking to start a business and recruit workers in a low-income area.
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Starting a For-Profit Small Business in the U.S.
An excellent collection of resources to help you get your new business off the ground.
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State Business Assistance Websites
Links to relevant government offices in every state that provide some type of business assistance. Some local government offices are listed as well.
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Thinking of Getting a Loan? Do Your Homework First
How to prepare for and increase your chances of getting a loan.
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Tribal Business Information Centers
These Centers were developed by the SBA to address the unique conditions encountered by reservation-based Native Americans in their efforts to create, develop and expand small businesses. The Centers provide culturally-tailored business development assistance to prospective and current small business owners.
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Veterans Business Directory
Find veteran-owned businesses by state.
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Veterans Enterprise Center
The Veterans Entrepreneurship and Small Business Development Act provides assistance and opportunities for veteran-owned and service connected disabled veteran-owned businesses. Here you'll find answers to fequently asked questions, contacts to help you do business with the government, links to other sites of interest to Veteran-Owned Businesses, information on Veteran-Owned Business Conferences, a library of documents and information, and Veterans Affairs Business Opportunities.
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Veterans - Helping Veterans Become Entrepreneurs
An article and resources for disabled and other veterans who want to start a business.
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Veterans and Small Business
Information and assistance for veterans who are interested in starting and growing a small business.
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WomanBiz.gov
Another good government site -- this one geared to woman-owned businesses who are or who want to sell their products and services to the federal government. This website is organized to target the five specific stages that a woman business owner should go through to determine if government is the right customer for her. The stages are: (1) meeting the basics; (2) finding your market; (3) getting started; (4) finding business opportunities; and (5) key contacts.
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Women Entrepreneurship in the 21st Century
This site provides women (and men, too) with numerous resources including information on government procurement, access to capital, marketing, international business, online workshops and more.
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Women-Friendly Banks and Other Financial Institutions
Links and information on banks, loan programs, venture capitalists, and other institutions that cater to women.
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Women's Business Enterprise National Council
The Council serves as an advocate for women-owned suppliers, and helps women-owned businesses obtain certification. The site also has links, conference information, articles, and other items of interest to business owners.
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Much More Information on Government
Contracting Can Be Found Here.
On this page, you'll find my Proposal Checklist.
Proposal Tips can be found here.
Read or subscribe to my Proposal Writing Blog.
More Information!
Enter Your E-Mail Address Below to Subscribe to
DEBORAH'S PROPOSAL WRITING BLOG!
Are You Looking for Something Specific? Try Searching For It.
Do You Have a Question? The Answer Might be Here.
Get Information About Government Loans on This Page.
While You're Here, You Can Also Check Out Government
Grants.
Or, You Can Get More Information on Government Requests for Proposals (RFPs) and Doing
Business With the U.S. Government.
Click Here to Find the Most Recent Additions to This Site.
 Go Back to The Top
of This Page.
Go to the Next Page for information on the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Programs.
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Small, Minority and Women-Owned Business Resources
