3 Comments

1. Quiet.Buck says:

   May 31, 2009 at 2:59 am

   No such thing as free nor grant money for a company or such. That is the biggest lie in business. At most, if you are say a black female, then you might get a $300 check after 17 forms and 19 months of waiting.
2. imisidro says:

   May 31, 2009 at 4:17 pm

   Only if your invention could qualify for SBIR or STTR programs of the government

   It is hard to find grants to start a business or develop inventions. 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 , 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
   New Mexico Women’s Foundation

   Even SBA does NOT give out grants. From the SBA website

   “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 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) and 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.

   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
3. cool guy says:

   May 31, 2009 at 8:30 pm

   many grant site are asking for a payment or a sign ups for a information how to get a grant money. read this article i hope it can help you