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Did you know that there are over 30 million small businesses operating in the US? Only 50% of small businesses survive for five years or more, though.
The prospects for small businesses are brutal, so it’s absolutely critical that small business owners give themselves every possible chance of success. This means developing solid business acumen, conducting the appropriate research, and much more.
Funding is very important and it plays a big role in determining which businesses will survive beyond the five years mark.
There are more unconventional options available, and many small businesses find that they are able to prosper thanks to a wide range of grants.
These are offered at a federal and state level, and they do not have to be paid back. If a small business is able to access a grant (or even multiple ones) they will be given a significant advantage and the best possible start.
There are lots of small business grants available to businesses with bad credit small business loans across the US. Not every small business will qualify for every grant, though, so it’s critical that small business owners spend some time to track down the most appropriate and viable options.
To help you secure a small business grant, here’s a closer look at the top options out there for small businesses in 2019. We hope that this list is helpful for you and helps you to get your business off to the strongest start possible.
It is in the interests of the government to inspire creativity and growth across the country. Its grants are aimed primarily at companies that are pushing a boundary in some way and paving new ground – the US wants to be a leader in a range of fields and grants are just one of the ways of achieving this.
Environmental issues are some of the most pressing challenges that we face as a species. The EPA wants to support green technology and any viable sustainable technologies. If you have a new product or device that can help in this area, the EPA may want to support you through its small business innovation research program.
Each year, the NSF invests an incredible figure of $1.5 million in seed funding – all while taking 0% equity. As you can imagine, it’s tough to succeed with your application but if you’re doing interesting work in the fields of medicine, engineering, or science, you could be in with a chance.
Department of Agriculture: Value-Added Producer Grants
If your small business is involved in agricultural production, you’ll find that there are lots of working capital expenses in areas such as advertising, salary expenses, and more.
The VAPG program from the DoA can really help you to minimize those costs and enjoy the fruits of your labor.
Volpe is the transportation systems center and it offers assistance to new businesses that are working to develop technology that relates to transportation and its more specific areas like aviation, highways, and railroads. If your innovation can help in these areas, you should be sure to contact the agency.
Large areas of rural America lack reliable renewable energy systems. If you are in the business of constructing or installing those systems, then you’ll find that there are lots of grant options available to you. These guaranteed loans and grants can help you to get your business off the ground while also empowering you to have a positive impact on the world that we all live in.
Sex trafficking and the exploitation of children are deplorable crimes, but technology is being used effectively to fight back and bring criminals to justice. Are you developing a technology that could perhaps be used in this area? The Department of Homeland Security runs a grant program that generously supports businesses operating in this area.
Agriculture is evolving quickly and changing with each new technological advancement that is made. If you are at the cutting edge of this important area, the DoA could support you with research and development. Through its small business innovation research program, the DoA is keen to support businesses in a wide range of spaces, so you should be sure to take a closer look at its requirements.
Does your technology or service have the potential to positively impact the field of education?
The DoE has significant amounts of money to support businesses that can ameliorate the results achieved in the field of education, ranging all the way from pre-reading to behavioral learning patterns.
The US is home to an immense number of diverse and flourishing species. Unfortunately, their numbers have started to dwindle and many of them are now categorized as endangered. The Recovery Challenge grant exists to help those businesses that are working to help those species return to their natural habitat.
The Department of Energy is keen to support any businesses that are working to resolve key challenges in environmental science, material science, and clean energy. Do you have the next big thing in one of these areas? Perhaps your small business will qualify. Not only would the funding be a big boost to your business, but it’s a pretty remarkable vote of confidence to receive.
Every state in the US is diverse and faces its own series of pressing concerns and challenges. State-level grants are a great way for those local governments to support and inspire the local solutions that it needs.
If you are performing important work within your state and you believe that you could be eligible for a grant, it may be the case. There are lots of options out there, though – too many to list here!
We will take a look at just a few options to give you an idea of what is out there. As ever, it’s important that you perform your own research and even speak directly with representatives on a state-level to learn more about the options that are available to you.
Arizona wants to establish itself on a global scale by fostering a competitive and flourishing local business scene. If you create products that are exported further afield – or your business is expanding onto an international level – you’ll find that there are lots of grants available to you. These can help you to continue your good work and achieve new levels of growth.
Kansas is hoping to grow its employment rates and as such, it is investing in those businesses that become strong local employers. If you reach certain investment and employment goals, you’ll find that grant money is distributed in pace with those. If you are opening a small business in Kansas, you should be sure to explore this option in more depth and learn what it can do for you.
Idaho also wants to establish itself on an international scale, and it offers generous grants to those businesses which are ensuring this is the case. The grants can help your business to expand on a larger scale and help your small business to flourish.
The modern society that we live in means it’s easier than ever before to launch a business. Success is not assured, but it’s simple to get off the ground and start running. In fact, 69% of US entrepreneurs start this business from home.
This is particularly common for those entrepreneurs operating in the technology space. Tech startups are driving growth and revenue across the country and on a global scale. As such, there are lots of bodies offering small business grants to startups.
This small business grant is offered by AT&T and gives winning business ideas a generous $1,000 grant. This is a significant amount of money that can really help businesses in their early days, providing the funding to cover important costs. The application process is simple: applicants must provide a 2-minute video where they pitch their idea.
GoDaddy is one of the biggest names in web hosting and it offers cash and prizes that are worth an estimated $15,000 to 9 Kid’s Camp and Activity Providers. Applying for this small business grant is once again very simple and it just involves filling out an application form, receiving 3 family review, and then promoting your application.
Women entrepreneurs are working hard across the US to drive growth and realize their vision for their small businesses. Creative and ambitious, these women are working on a range of levels to fix the gender pay gap while promoting gender equality.
There are some areas where the disparity between men and women is particularly severe and as such, there are a wide range of organizations that are hoping to establish balance by helping women entrepreneurs to grow their small businesses.
If you are a female entrepreneur, you should be sure to spend a significant amount of time exploring the various options that are out there. You’ll find that there are options coming from the federal, state, local, and corporate level.
There many also are non-profit organizations that are willing to back female entrepreneurs not only with cash, but also with training and support.
This program is incredibly generous and each year it helps female entrepreneurs to grow their businesses and perform public good by employing and inspiring people within local communities. The grant awards $100,000 to up to 10 recipients. The recipients are often catered toward bringing about environmental and social change.
Female entrepreneurs can access funding from the Open Meadows foundation if their projects helps to promote economic, racial, and gender justice. Entrepreneurs can access up to $2,000 in grants to support their business and take it to the next level.
Across the US, many women work incredibly hard to blend together life as a mom with that of an entrepreneur. Pulling from stores of endless vitality and inspiration, these women do an incredible job at enriching the world around them. This grant from Huggies gives 12 entrepreneurs grants of up to $15,000 as well as business and networking advice.
The US is made great thanks to its rich cultural diversity. People across the country work each day in harmony to achieve great goals and minority small business owners play an essential role in elevating relations.
Having overcome a range of economic, political, and social challenges, these small business owners are best placed to become compassionate and just employers who play an important role within their communities. If you are considering pursuing grants as a minority business owner, you’ll find that there are lots of options out there. Again, these options will be offered at a wide range of levels such as the national, state, and local level.
Here’s a small look at just some of the key options to inspire you and give you an idea of what is out there.
Many locations across the US lack fast internet speeds and in the world that we live in, this can be a serious barrier to creating and growing a small business. The Department of Agriculture is looking to address this issue – if you find that you live in an area with poor connectivity, you should be sure to check your viability for this grant. Always keep a check on short term financing options available to avoid any mess.
The MBDA works hard to support minority business owners across the country and as such, it offers a comprehensive range of learning resources to those professionals. There are also regular grant competitions that you can use to grow your business and achieve some financial freedom.
Does your business operate within the health and healthcare industry? If you play a role in creating and spreading information and awareness about healthy living, you may find that you are eligible for this grant. It is hoped that this grant will help nascent small businesses to grow to the next level and continue spreading useful information that will help to boost overall health across the US in a range of minority groups.
Things can go even more granular. As a small business owner, you may find that state-level funding is too abstract and out of reach for you. In those cases, you may want to explore additional lower-level options at the city and town level.
Towns and cities across the US have their own investment funds (which are understandably more modest) and these are used to empower smaller businesses and enrich local communities.
You may find that these options are preferable to state-level grants too, given that there will naturally be less competition and your chances of success will be higher. It’s a matter of assessing what is realistic and viable for your own particular business at the right time.
You’ll find that the priorities here are often similar to those at the national and state level: towns and cities will want to inspire businesses that promote sustainable living and job growth within a local area.
Again, here’s a closer look at just some of the many options that are out there. These will give you a flavor of the small business grants that may be available to you within your own town or city. Lending Valley is the best option for those who are seeking assistance with business loans with no credit.
This is unique in that it is a crowdfunding platform used by community backers. The platform is used to promote Chicago-based businesses, while the democratic twist helps to ensure that locally-supported initiatives are the ones to succeed. This is a unique approach and as cities grow stronger over the years, it may become more common.
Companies that are operating within Central and Northern Pennsylvania will find that there is a sizeable grant available to them if they are operating with a big idea. This initiative offers pretty impressive grants that can really help new businesses to get out of the starting blocks quickly and begin promoting their big idea.
Cleveland: Department of Economic Development
Cleveland has its own city-level grants that it uses to promote local businesses and foster growth. There is a wide range of grants on offer to a wide range of businesses, and you may just be able to strike gold and give your small business a helping hand. Get in touch with us for any assistance related to bad credit small business loans.
Small Business Grants for Veterans
Veteran-owned businesses are often eligible for a wide range of grants from a variety of organizations and bodies. The troops were noble and brave enough to serve, so it’s only fair that their commitment is somewhat returned. Here’s a closer look at some of the small business grant options available to veterans.
UPS: Franchise Discount
The UPS runs on a franchise model and it can often be expensive to get started. This isn’t technically a grant, but the organization offers veterans a significant discount from the franchise and application fee.
This significant discount can make it a viable option for veterans, who will receive a 50-75% deduction from the initial application fee as well as a $10,000 discount from the franchise fee.
Little Caesars: Franchise Discount
Again, this is not technically a grant but it’s another franchise that offers to give veterans a helping hand to get their business off the ground. This time around, veterans will receive $5,000 from the initial franchise fee. They will also get significant discounts on future orders and marketing services. There are different options according to the status of the veteran too.
7-Eleven: Franchise Discount
This is yet another program that aims to support veterans by giving significant discounts on the costs of opening a franchise. With this program, veterans can receive up to 65% financing through 7-Eleven as well as a range of special financing options. Perhaps best of all, veterans receive up to 20% off the somewhat hefty initial franchise fee.
StreetShares: Commander’s Call Veteran Business Award
StreetShares honors the sacrifices of the veteran by running a generous program that gives lucky veterans or military spouses up to $15,000 to grow their small business. The organization aims to support exceptional veteran business owners across the country.
USDA: Veteran and Minority Farmer Grant
The Department of Agriculture runs the 2501 Program. This program was created with the intention of supporting veterans and minorities who are planning on moving into the agricultural space. As well as grants, the Program also provides education, training, outreach, and some other ways to support business owners. Do you Need help with bad credit small business loans then don’t hesitate to interact with our team.
SBA: Veteran’s Entrepreneurship Act of 2015
The Small Business Administration passed an act in 2015 that removes the borrower fee that is associated with Express Loans given to veteran-owned businesses. The borrower fee is removed on amounts up to $350,000, making it more viable for veterans to launch their own businesses and prosper.
Keep Your Eyes Open
We hope that this closer look at some of the key small business grants in 2019 has helped you. You’ll notice that there are lots of potential sources for your grants, so you should feel confident performing your own research – it can really make or break your business.
As a small business owner, you should be sure to leverage your industry insight to connect with other professionals and business owners who can offer you guidance and support in these areas. As ever, you will find that financial advisors and other professionals will be a big help here. You will get the best deals at the Lending Valley. We are confident that you will be successful in finding some small business grants and we wish you and your business all the best going forward!
