There’s government assistance for entrepreneurs available to organizations, institutions and industries for targeted projects and programs. A vital aspect to winning a government grant is to show the feasibility of the business. By doing so, it improves the chances of successfully obtaining government assistance for entrepreneurs. For beginners that are researching government grants and loans for small business, credit worthiness is another important factor in acquiring financial support.

The government often provides entrepreneurs assistance in the form of free information; however, financial assistance or grants tends to be reserved for non-profit organizations, social services, educational endeavors and specified research. When seeking government grants for small business, it’s imperative to understand the requirements to qualify for government assistance. Small business owners must document that they can meet the criteria and submit the necessary proof. While seeking government assistance for entrepreneurs, consider the following:

1. Research governmental agencies seeking to provide government grants for entrepreneurship.

2. Consider business information offered by government grants for small business owners just as valuable as monetary assistance.

3. Review your business plan against the requirements outlined by US government grants for small business.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Learn the fundamentals of government grants for small business start up

There is a set of rules and procedures that a small business must follow in order to qualify for government assistance. Small business owners who learn the process improve the likelihood of receiving assistance towards business goals. In addition, there are deadlines and time frames that also govern how and when the funds are disbursed.

I recommend: Business Start-up Assistance offers basic information about how to start a business and resources for entrepreneurs. Score provides educational and informational resources to America’s small businesses.

Gain valuable information resources about where to find entrepreneur assistance

The process of successfully obtaining a grant from the government for small business start ups requires a clear understanding of what projects the government is interested in funding. Knowing how to locate tools and resources to operate your business is a starting place to finding funds from government grants.

I recommend: Business.gov provides a checklist to apply for business finance. MoreBusiness.com gives entrepreneurs assistance through access to a list of resource materials and other helpful advice for starting and growing a business with government assistance.

Find matching government grants for entrepreneurship

Grants, loans and contracts serve a set purpose for doing business on behalf of the government. Make sure the objectives of your small business align with governmental interest. Prepare documentation that shows you are capable of getting the job done and communicates how you can help the government achieve its intended outcomes utilizing entrepreneur assistance.

I recommend: Visit the Small Business Administration (SBA) for a list of free online training classes from winning government contracts to preparing a loan package for government grants and loans for small business. Bplans.com gives insightful information about the process for government assistance for entrepreneurs, for beginners and a broad range of small business owners.

We've all heard it; Government Assistance for Entrepreneurs is out there! The government gives out piles of money to small business owners. Free for the asking—government grants for entrepreneurship, government grants small business owners can use for start up costs!

Is it true? The short answer is "no". The government isn't in the business of giving grants to small businesses. Government assistance to small business comes in other, less tangible, forms, so don't be too optimistic.

But don't panic either. There are other kinds of government assistance for entrepreneurs, if you know where to look.

1. Some money is available, but it doesn't come in the form of US government grants for small business. Think loans, and you might have some options.

2. Some entrepreneurs assistance is available in the form of useful, free information for small business owners.

3. Don't be scared of the government. They really do want to help you. It's just that government assistance for small business comes in less monetary shows of assistance for entrepreneurs.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Most government grants for entrepreneurship are only offered to small research and development firms

Websites and infomercials claim that the government is just thrilled to give free government grants to small business owners. Individuals expect government assistance. Small business owners may expect the same, but you should realize that this is normally not the case. However, there is some money available, through loans, if you meet the government's criteria.

I recommend: Going to the government's site on small business government grants and loans to find out details and whether or not your firm may qualify for a grant, if you are in the scientific research and development industry. Loans for many small businesses are available from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA); check their eligibility requirements. If you live in a rural area, you might be able to apply for another sort of loan; see the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA's) website on rural development Business and Industry Guaranteed Loans.

Some government assistance for entrepreneurs is available online in free guides and information

It may be discouraging to realize that there are no government grants for small business; however, entrepreneurs assistance is still available, if not in the form you had hoped for.

I recommend: If you have advertising questions, be sure to read the government website on Advertising and Marketing. If you are thinking of opening a franchise, get information from the government's Franchises and Business Opportunities website. Scared that the next natural disaster or national emergency will impact your business? See the government's site on Emergency Preparedness. Laws and regulations can be confusing for an entrepreneur; see the goverment's site on Business Law for help with legal matters.

Other government agencies can offer entrepreneurs assistance

Seek out other government agencies that can help with your small business questions.

I recommend: See the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA's) Small Business Gateway. The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has information on their Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization website. Try the U.S. Senate Committee on Small Business & Entrepreneurship and the U.S. House of Representatives Small Business Committee; they also have useful information for small businesses.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  If you need to contact the government for any reason, try email if you aren't facing an emergency situation. Often phone calls go unreturned, but emails usually are answered.
• •  Joining a small business association, such as the United States Association for Small Business and Entrepreneurship may be helpful in learning about government-related assistance for your business.
• •  Does the website promising you help with goverment funding have a URL ending in .gov? If it doesn't, then it isn't an official goverment website. Be careful!

Rather than fearing or resenting big government, learn to make the most of the system. Most businesses seem to labor under the assumption that they’re one banana peel step away from running afoul of a sour-faced bureaucrat bent on throwing them out of business and into jail. Actually, the federal government has a number of offices and portals in place to actively assist the entrepreneur in setting up and running a successful business. Check out the key terms below to get a jump start on a profitable venture with Uncle Sam.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Grants

As a rule, the government does not issue grants to start or expand a commercial (for profit) business. It typically awards grants in two cases: non-profit organizations and businesses involved in science or technology R&D (and then it's only for the research, not for running the business).

I recommend: If you qualify under the two cases above, visit Grants.gov for a specific definition and to find and apply for grants.

Guaranteed loans

To bolster the economic climate in rural areas, the government provides guaranteed loans to expand employment, convert or modernize business, purchase and develop buildings and land, and purchase or lease capital equipment or inventory, with as much as 80 percent of the loan guaranteed.

I recommend: The USDA Rural Development bureau explains the guaranteed loan program, including a link comparing the B&I Guaranteed Loan Program to the Rural Energy for America Program Guaranteed Loan and Grant.

Contracts

Rather than looking for a handout, look for a hand up. Federal agencies are required to target about one-fourth of their buying to small business. That's over $100 billion worth of contracts for goods and services set aside for small business, which depending on your industry sector, could be defined as high as $33 million (for general & heavy construction, as an example).

I recommend: The Small Business Administration (SBA) can step you through the procurement process.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

Rather than passively waiting for an energy or environmental audit to occur, the EPA offers ombudsman services to better understand environmental regulations, as well as their Regulatory Flexibility Act and Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act, so you can better enact environmentally sound business practices and feel less bullied by Big Brother.

I recommend: Check out the EPA’s “Bottom Line” page for ways to get assistance, financing, contract work or financial models to test your own business’ energy savvy.

SDBU

Both the Department of Transportation (DOT) and the Department of Defense (DoD) have a Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization office within their bureaus, to work with not just small business, but small businesses at least 51 percent owned by 'socially and economically disadvantaged' individuals.

I recommend: The Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU) page outlines a series of “customers,” from disadvantaged to firms owned by women, disabled veterans, even historically underutilized business zone businesses. The Department of Defense (DoD) publishes its goals and progress in assigning contracts to small businesses.

Truth in advertising

While late-night comedians may find fodder for their jokes about some loose claims, truth in advertising is no laughing matter, particularly with the increasing complexity of the food supply chain and the growing popularity of 'green' products and services. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) enforces truth in advertising, setting a three-fold standard: a) advertising must be truthful and non-deceptive; b) advertisers must have evidence to back up claims; and c) advertisements cannot be unfair.

I recommend: Stay out of legal hot water by visiting Business.gov, with specific links to product labeling, online marketing, telemarketing and environmental marketing.