Anybody know about government grants to start a buisness?

Question

Is that a realistic possibility? To get a grant large enough to open some sort of small buisness? and does anyone have any suggestion on a good small buisness to start up? and has anyone heard of a buisness called SMC if so is it a good one to start with?

Answer 1

There are essentially only 4 sources for grants. A little known fact it that you do NOT have to be a non-profit to get a grant, regardless of what others tell you ... I've helped for-profits apply for grants.

Federal grants are called Small Business Innovation Research grants. These are given primarily for some new innovation. You can find out what's available at:
http://www.sbirworld.com
There is also info on this site about how to apply.

Some cities offer grants to small businesses if they will locate in the downtown area, for the purposes of building up downtown traffic. Check with City Hall.

There are some governemnt grants for minority businesses. You can find info at:
http://www.mbda.gov

Finally, private foundations offer grants. You can get a list of most US Foundations and private grant sources at http://www.foundations.org/grantmakers.html.

Answer 2

I looked into grants when my wife and I wanted more control over our lives. This is what I found out about government grants.
1. Very difficult to get.
2. A TON of paperwork.
3. IF you do get one, the government will have many inspections of your books and business.
4. Most grants are for businesses that the government feels there is a shortage which you may not find any interest in one of those businesses. Go into something you are going to enjoy.
5. If you are not a woman or minority your chance of receiving a grant is next to slim and none.

Good Luck.

Answer 3

I regarded into promises collectively as my companion and that i needed extra advantageous control over our lives. it is what i got here upon approximately government promises. a million. Very complicated to get. 2. A TON of paperwork. 3. in case you do get one, the federal government could have many inspections of your books and marketplace. 4. maximum promises are for companies that the federal government feels there's an absence which you additionally can no longer hit upon any interest in a sort of firms. pass into something you are going to enjoy. 5. in case you at the instant are not a woman or minority your possibility of receiving a grant is next to narrow and none. stable success.

Answer 4

It is hard to find grants to start a business. Unlike the myths that some perpetuate, federal government and even private foundations hardly give grant money for starting a for-profit business.

One possible exception is for companies developing or exporting agricultural goods, including food and forest product. Another exception could be the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) or Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs http://www.sba.gov/aboutsba/sbaprograms/sbir/index.html , which fund the research and development of technological innovation that meets specific government needs.

Your best bet actually will be from the states if they offer grant programs for women (or any other special interest groups -- minorities, women, disabled, veterans, etc). Or check with non profit organizations, particularly women organizations if they offer grants. Examples include

Iowa Women's Foundation http://www.iawf.org/
New Mexico Women's Foundation http://www.nmwf.org/guidelines.html

Even SBA does NOT give out grants. From the SBA website http://www.sba.gov/mostrequesteditems/CON_FAQ2.html

"The U.S. Small Business Administration does not offer grants to start or expand small businesses, although it does offer a wide variety of loan programs. (See http://www.sba.gov/financing for more information) While SBA does offer some grant programs, these are generally designed to expand and enhance organizations that provide small business management, technical, or financial assistance. These grants generally support non-profit organizations, intermediary lending institutions, and state and local governments."

Nonetheless, you can go to the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) http://www.cfda.gov and Grants.gov http://www.grants.gov - these are two sites created by the federal government to provide transparency and information on grants. Browse through the listings and see if you can find any grant that would support a for-profit venture.

Here is a listing of federal grants for small businesses. See if there is any available for individuals for starting a business -- THERE'S NONE.
http://12.46.245.173/pls/portal30/CATALOG.BROWSE_BENEF_RPT.show

Most of the federal grants are given to specific target groups with specific requirements (e.g. minority business owners involved in transportation related contracts emanating from DOT - Grant#20.905 Disadvantaged Business Enterprises Short Term Lending Program

Grants are also often given to non profit groups or organizations involved in training or other similar activities (grant 59.043 Women's Business Ownership Assistance that are given to those who will create women's business center that will train women entrepreneurs

Answer 5

Go to http://www.grants.gov/ to see what government grants are available and how you can apply for them. You may also find grants at http://foundationcenter.org/ Then, go to http://www.npguides.org/ for instructions on how to write a foundation grant proposal

Answer 6

I don't know about the business you mentioned, but I have an e-commerce business that I make extra money with. If you're interested in the details, feel free to email.