I need help with ideas for getting investor interests, as well as how to go about getting a grant or two. THX.
183843
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 a for-profit business. And yes, grants mean PAPERWORK - lots and lots of it, that is why a cottage industry of grant writers was born.\n\nNonetheless, 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.\n\nEven if you buy books on "how to get grants" or list that supposedly has information on grants -- all of them are mere rehash of what CFDA has, albeit packaged differently. But still the info is the same - hardly any grants for starting a for profit business.\n\nEven SBA does NOT give out grants. From the SBA website http://www.sba.gov/expanding/grants.html... \n\n"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."\n\nMost 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 \n\nGrants 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 \n\nFor private grants, you may want to check the Foundation Center's Foundation Grants for Individuals Online. It's a subscription based website ($9.95 per month) but their opening blurb only says that the database is ideal for "students, artists, academic researchers, libraries and financial aid offices." Entrepreneurs are apparently not one of them, so I take it they also don't have listings of private foundations who give grants to would-be entrepreneurs.\n\nhttp://www.cfda.gov\nhttp://www.grants.gov\nhttp://gtionline.fdncenter.org\nhttp://www.powerhomebiz.com/vol66/grants.htm\nhttp://www.sba.gov/expanding/grants.html
242593
Talk to as many center of influence people as you can.  They will in turn help you with the investment plans.
891878
Depends on what area you are in - I know a lot of reputable investors across the country.  And some to avoid, too.  Send me an email and I'll try to help if I can.
341501
I would like to receive a grant. Here is my plan... these are my assets and the following are my goals to be achieved by this date.
476097
You might try the Atlanta Technology Angels (although they do primarily tech deals), or go a bit further afield and talk to Ariel Savannah Angel Partners. Those are both bona fide groups of sophisticated angel investors that actively seek out and invest in plans. A short bit down the food chain is the Gathering of Angels, which is a periodic event that takes place in a number of cities, including Atlanta, at which four entrepreneurs pitch their plans to investors. The problem with this one is that they will charge you $2000 to present.\n\nIf you feel like simply casting your plan out on the waters, so to speak, you could give a try to "Funding Georgia", which is a web page front end where you can post your business plan and hope that some investor sees it (pretty unlikely, but they claim to have 28 investors in Georgia signed up, so who knows?)\n\nFinally, if you want to try farther afield, take a look at the directory of the Angel Capital Association, which lists virtually every legitimate angel investment group in the country. Good luck!
568850
I am unsure where you should look for financinng or assistance, but please make sure that you and your friend don't get taken by some scumbag who tells you he's trying to help, then steals the idea.  I have heard that, that type of thing happens alot with people and patent companies and the like.  Just be careful who you trust, ESPECIALLY if you find them on the internet.\n\nMaybe you should look into the TV Program "American Inventor" website if they have one?  Just a thought though. Sorry I couldn't better assist you.\n\nGood Luck.
1128131
feel free to contact me at \nannie.chang@pspmortgage.com\n\nI have a list of private investors depending on what you are looking for.
70291
I suggest you create a web site where investors interested in investing internationally gather. Study the following places where angel investors come and those looking for funding can come and pitch their business plans. \n\nAngel Capital Association http://www.angelcapitalassociation.org\nAngel's Forum http://www.angelsforum.com \nBand of Angels http://www.bandangels.com \nCommon Angels http://www.commonangels.com \nKeiretsu Forum http://www.k4forum.com \nLaunchpad Venture Group http://www.launchpadventuregroup.com\nNew World Angels http://www.newworldangels.com \nNew York Angels http://www.newyorkangels.com \nPrairie Angels http://www.prairieangels.org (charges $125 to submit idea)\nRobin Hood Ventures http://www.robinhoodventures.com(charges $250)
903046
Your best bet is to seek for private grants or grants from private foundations.\n\nThe best resource for this is Foundation Center http://www.fdncenter.org . They have a very good database covering all organizations giving grants and you can find foundations that are interested in supporting your type of cause. However, it's a subscription based website ($19.95 per month I think is the cheapest subscription price). But it certainly is worth the fee. You can subscribe one month, and make sure you get all the info you need and then stop the subscription.\n\nIf you want to try federal sources, 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. \n\nCFDA has several ways to search for grants. I suggest you search by beneficiary and select Private Non Profit Organization and you can find listings of grants available http://12.46.245.173/pls/portal30/CATALOG.BROWSE_BENEF_RPT.show
930605
Hi,\n\nGreat post! I had the same exact grant question a few months ago. It's really tricky to find out about this stuff on the net, but my wife bought me special special software (CD) for my birthday. The program rocks for finding the grant info you want. btw...this is the software that was featured on CNBC and in USA Today.\n\nThis company is giving away the software free (only $3.95 for shipping)!!!!!!!\nHere's the link\nhttp://www.alllsite.info/free-grant-money.php\n\nI'm sure you'll find the info there\nGood luck
564535
Depending upon the country you live in and the size of your business there may be a number of options available to you.\n\nMost capitalist countries (e.g. the UK and USA) try to encourage small businesses by making loans or grants available to them. Such help is very localised so you would need to seek advice from the numerous public advice groups.\n\nThe other option is venture investment. This is where groups of people are looking to invest in a viable business. This may result in them owning part of your business or simply be a contractual loan. Make sure, if you take this route, that you involve a solicitor to protect your interests.
477177
Here are some resources to help you find someone to help you in writing a grant:\n\nMinnesota Council on Foundations Writing a Successful Grant Proposal http://www.mcf.org/mcf/grant/writing.htm\nAmerican Association of Grant Professionals http://www.grantprofessionals.org\nNon profit Guides http://www.npguides.org/ \nGrantExperts.com http://www.grantexperts.com\nAssociation of Fund Raising Professionals http://www.afpnet.org/\nHow to be a Grant Writer http://www.powerhomebiz.com/vol121/grant.htm\nTeaching Yourself to be a Grantwriter http://www.grantproposal.com/starting_inner.html\n\nIf you are looking for grants to start a business, 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 a for-profit business. And yes, grants mean PAPERWORK - lots and lots of it, that is why a cottage industry of grant writers was born.\n\nNonetheles.. s, 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.\n\nEven if you buy books on "how to get grants" or list that supposedly has information on grants -- all of them are mere rehash of what CFDA has, albeit packaged differently. But still the info is the same - hardly any grants for starting a for profit business.\n\nEven SBA does NOT give out grants. From the SBA website http://www.sba.gov/expanding/grants.html \n\n"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."\n\nMost 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 \n\nGrants 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 \n\nFor private grants, you may want to check the Foundation Center's Foundation Grants for Individuals Online. It's a subscription based website ($9.95 per month) but their opening blurb only says that the database is ideal for "students, artists, academic researchers, libraries and financial aid offices." Entrepreneurs are apparently not one of them, so I take it they also don't have listings of private foundations who give grants to would-be entrepreneurs.
406595
Your best bet is to seek for private grants or grants from private foundations.\n\nThe best resource for this is Foundation Center http://www.fdncenter.org . They have a very good database covering all organizations giving grants and you can find foundations that are interested in supporting your type of cause. However, it's a subscription based website ($19.95 per month I think is the cheapest subscription price). But it certainly is worth the fee. You can subscribe one month, and make sure you get all the info you need and then stop the subscription.\n\nIf you want to try federal sources, 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. \n\nCFDA has several ways to search for grants. I suggest you search by beneficiary and select Private Non Profit Organization and you can find listings of grants available http://12.46.245.173/pls/portal30/CATALOG.BROWSE_BENEF_RPT.show\n\n\n\nhttp://www.cfda.gov\nhttp://www.grants.gov\nhttp://gtionline.fdncenter.org\nhttp://www.powerhomebiz.com/vol66/grants.htm\nhttp://www.sba.gov/expanding/grants.html
758417
I started by attending local REIA (Real Estate Investors Assoc.) meetings.  They are free in my area and was able to network and learn from people who have been in the business for years!  It got my foor in the door to a lot of opportunites.  I would see if there are any in your area.  It is a great way to learn and network.  Good luck!
169895
I recommend you read the article "How to be a Grant Writer" http://www.powerhomebiz.com/vol121/grantwriter.htm - the article covers how to get started in this business, what you need to start, income potential and links to associations and useful websites.\n\nOther resources you may want to check out are:\n\nTeaching Yourself to be a Grantwriter http://www.grantproposal.com/starting_inner.html\nMinnesota Council on Foundations Writing a Successful Grant Proposal http://www.mcf.org/mcf/grant/writing.htm\nAmerican Association of Grant Professionals http://www.grantprofessionals.org/\nNon profit Guides http://www.npguides.org/ \nGrantExperts.com http://www.grantexperts.com\nAssociation of Fund Raising Professionals http://www.afpnet.org/\n\nI also recommend that you check out the following books to get in-depth knowledge of the grant writing business:\n\n- Demystifying Grant Seeking: What You REALLY Need to Do to Get Grants \n- I'll Grant You That: A Step-by-Step Guide to Finding Funds, Designing Winning Projects, and Writing Powerful Grant Proposals \n- Winning Grants: Step by Step, 2nd Edition \n- Grant Winner's Toolkit : Project Management and Evaluation \n- Grant Writing For Dummies®
43751
first know exactly what the funds go for and tell them when you call/contact them, also give them suggestions of what they may contribute, tell them how successiful it was in past years. Hope this helps
920641
There are many legitimate sources for funding.  Do a complete research project since it is for yourself, and be sure you have a competent lawyer on your side.  There are many law firms that provide services on a sliding scale (according to your ability to pay)\n\nThe United states Government has sources that can help you for free.  Look at every avenue available to you thorough the internet. Look at the sources link I have provided for you.