Are there grants just for starting a business?

Very few programs pay for a brand new business with no track record. Most start up support comes as training, research awards, competitions, or loans. Start with the startup funding topic page to see what is open.

Do I need a business license?

Most programs ask for proof that your business is registered. Check the eligibility section of the listing before you start.

How long does a decision take?

It depends on the program. Many take one to six months after the deadline. The posting usually says.

The organization offering the opportunity makes the final eligibility and award decision.

Small business

Small business grants

What a small business grant is, what funders are actually looking for, and how to tell a real program from a scam.

A small business grant is money you do not pay back, given for a specific purpose the funder cares about, such as hiring, equipment, research, or improving a storefront. Most real programs come from government agencies, foundations, and corporate programs. You can see open programs free on GrantsRUs and apply on the official page.

See open small business grants

Who funds small businesses

Federal agencies, usually for research, training, exporting, or a specific industry
State and local economic development offices, often for jobs, buildings, or a named district
Foundations and nonprofits, usually tied to a community goal
Corporate programs, which are often contests with a set entry window

What funders look for

Almost every application comes down to four questions. What will you spend the money on? Who does it help? Can you actually do it? How will you show what happened?

The businesses that win are usually not the biggest. They are the ones that answered those four questions with specific numbers instead of general talk.

How to avoid the common traps

Nobody legitimate charges you a fee to receive grant money.
A real program has a written purpose, eligibility rules, and a deadline you can read.
Free money for any business with no rules is not a grant program.
If someone asks for a payment to release your award, stop.

What you get here

Free search of open programs that fund small businesses
Full eligibility wording from the organization that posted it
Deadlines and award amounts when the posting lists them
Optional Pro tools for building the application itself

What it costs

Searching is free. You can open any listing, read who can apply, see the deadline, and go to the official page without paying anything.

GRANTSRUS Pro is $29.99 a month or $250 a year. Pro adds the private workspace where you build your application: the question list pulled from the opportunity file, plain language explanations, draft answers built from your own answers, a practice version of the full application, and Word or PDF downloads.

Common questions

Are there grants just for starting a business?: Very few programs pay for a brand new business with no track record. Most start up support comes as training, research awards, competitions, or loans. Start with the startup funding topic page to see what is open.
Do I need a business license?: Most programs ask for proof that your business is registered. Check the eligibility section of the listing before you start.
How long does a decision take?: It depends on the program. Many take one to six months after the deadline. The posting usually says.
Who decides?: The organization offering the opportunity makes the final eligibility and award decision.

Ready to start?

Create a free profile to search and save opportunities. Add GRANTSRUS Pro when you are ready to build the application itself.

Create a free profile See pricing

GRANTSRUS.INFO is an independent research and application-support platform. We are not a government agency. Membership does not guarantee funding, employment, certification, or approval.

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