Don’t Forget About Governmental Programs for Start-Up Financing

Many people dream about owning their very own business, being their own bosses, doing what they enjoy and financial freedom. However, how does one achieve this if they are short on funds? Conventional methods can include asking for loans and financial backers for the business. When this fails some people even turn to applying for business credit cards. However, there is one more route that many forget about, the government.

The United States government is the only one in the world that gives grants and loans to start-up businesses, especially small businesses. There are literally billions of dollars available if you just know where and how to look. Why would the government do this you ask? It helps build and strengthen the entire economy in the long run it benefits everyone. There are also many states and their development agencies as well as local governments who may be willing to help as well. Usually the money they offer can be used to start almost any kind of small business. They make it fairly easy to be approved as well, all you have to do is be a United States citizen at least 18 years of age and no collateral is required, nor credit checks or security deposits. How much easier could it possibly be?

Now that you are armed with this information how do you find these grants? One of the best ways to find grants and which ones you might qualify for is to go to grants.gov. This website has proved to be invaluable to many looking for money to start up their new businesses. According to the website they have thousands of grants available from over 26 agencies. You’re bound to find someone willing to give you a grant. Another key place to look for government help in this area is the United States Small Business Administration. This organization is especially geared towards small businesses and can help in finding places that offer government grants or loans. While the administration does not directly offer grants or loans they can steer you in the right direction.

A very popular route in securing government help in raising money for your start up business is called the Small Business Investment Company, not many have heard of it but many have taken advantage of its services. This company is the result of a successful partnership between investors and the United States government. Even though it is privately owned it has a unique connection with government and helping people find startup capital through government grants or loans. It is popular because believe it or not America Online, Apple Computer, Callaway Golf, Federal Express, Gymboree, Outback Steakhouse, Staples, and Sports Authority all used it as a resource when starting out. You could say these are some of the more successful companies around today. Just goes to show that if you know where to look, government financing of start up businesses can be invaluable.

Another plus to using the Small Business Investment Company to help finance your venture is that the Small Business Administration will match every dollar and this definitely helps even more. The Small Business Investment Company offers many specialized grants and loans based on many different factors. To find out more about them you can find them under member listings for the National Association of Small Business Investment Companies. This truly can be one of your best resources when looking into government grants or loans. Minority owned businesses are open to find even more help from the government. One very valuable resource would be the National Association of Investment Companies. This organization is specifically geared to helping out minority owned businesses.

Veterans of the military, especially disabled ones have a few more sources in finding government help to finance their new businesses. These include the Small Business Self-Employment Service, which is part of the President’s Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities and also the Small Business Development Center. Both of these are very helpful in finding grant money for disabled veterans. As you can see, whether you are a starting up a minority owned business, are a disabled veteran or just an average Joe, the government has many resources in granting startup capital for small businesses. Most of these resources are easily accessible and are easier to receive than the traditional route of loans or private financial backers. So what are you waiting for? There is literally billions of dollars out there waiting for you, to help start up that business that you’ve always dreamed of owning, all you have to do is find it.

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