Is There Any Government Assistance for Startups

startup grants

Life was never easy for startup founders, especially newcomers, and things worsened with the Covid-19 pandemic chaos. The money is tight and resources limited; however, a standard business owner tries to do his best and survive in a highly competitive market. This left many founders wondering is there any government assistance for startups.

The good news is that the struggling companies or development companies can seek financial assistance from the government (state or federal) and even the private sector in business grants or loans, there is still a potential for commercialization for newcomers.

The U.S Small Business Administration provides loans and grants following a standard loan program, to eligible organizations to promote and instigate economic growth. Any SBA-approved lender would have specific grant requirements and a different eligibility criterion- this is why you need to do your research including all your business concerns.

If you are clueless about where you can get help, worry not; we have covered you. We also know a brilliant startup consultant that can guide you each step of the way.

All the Programs You Need to Know About

grants to startup files

Federal stimulus aid

For all the businesses that conform to the eligibility requirements, President Biden of the United States has recently passed a federal aid by the name of "coronavirus stimulus bill" that provides $1.9 trillion in assistance in loans, grants, and tax credits to all the small businesses. These businesses can use the aid provided by the US official grant providers, to up their marketing game, create better opportunities or get better with their technology tool area and have profitable financial statements.

Free government grants For Startup Businesses

free grants sign

You can search the federal or state government sites to explore the most comprehensive fund offers that align with your business goals and budget. The pattern of fund assistance in the federal government is not only for start-ups or small businesses. But there is a web of fund-flow through nonprofit organizations, local and state governments, and educational institutions (even for the profit companies).

We have enlisted the government assistance programs to know if it fits your need and align with your business plan. To dig in further, you can visit their official websites (or visit grants.gov to start your search from the programs offered by the federal government) and check out the requirements for example what kind of application you have to submit that can ensure a business with loans guaranteed, these application types may include electronic application, fast-track application, standard loan application. You can also seek help from an application guide provided by the US government, to fill up your application forms.

Here are some of the government assistance programs that you can leverage:

  • Companies Crushing Pollution Video Challenge. EPA -The U.S Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has put up a $5000 grant for a company that can engage in and wins the video contest it is hosting. The participant needs to use the Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) Program to illustrate their efforts in making the environment pollution free.
  • Rural Innovation Stronger Economy (RISE) grants. The U.S Department of Agriculture has come up with a grant program that offers funds between $500,000 to $2 million for small rural businesses and to create potential, high-wage jobs in rural areas under the U.S rural development program.
  • National Institute of Health Grants. If your business start-up develops and researches biomedical technology, this business funding grant can assist you to have continued development in the future.
  • NIDILRR's SBIR program. Business grants like SBIR Program grant money to the small businesses that provide social or economic benefits to the country. The organizations that work to advance technology and create research opportunities for the benefit of everyone can leverage this grant, which is estimated at $1 million. But you have to thoroughly read the program-specific instructions mentioned in the Government contracts, which can save you from any kind of inconvenience in the future.
  • U.S Department of Commerce Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA). These are targeted loans and grants for small, minority-owned businesses available throughout the year to ensure.
  • Small Business Innovation Research Program (SBIR). If you have a small business or start-up that includes federal research and development with opportunities for commercialization. This SBIR grant is available for for-profit businesses and helps them excel in scientific and technological innovation.
  • Small Business Technology Transfer Program (STTR). It funds businesses with potential for R&D (research and development). To avail of this, grant your business must officially collaborate with a research institution.
  • U.S Economic Development Administration (EDA). The eligible businesses must support national and regional economic development to leverage this grant.
  • U.S Small Business Administration State Trade Expansion Program (STEP). Any business that exports products and services can leverage this program's federal funds via state entities.

Free money from government grants, loan programs, and funding opportunities requires extensive paperwork. As a result, the application process is time-consuming and technical. More importantly, ensure that you qualify for the money by fulfilling all the administrative and legal prerequisites alongside. You want to make sure, therefore, that you are eligible before applying in addition to the legal, administrative, and auditing prerequisites.

Apart from these, many other "specific" programs motivate small businesses started by women, disabled people, or people of color. But unfortunately, these people are often discouraged and find it hard to fund their start-ups, especially after the novel Coronavirus pandemic. Many were left wondering is there any government assistance for startups

Therefore, for their business's financial management, they can leverage the following government-assisted programs.

Contracts Assisted by the Government

government contracts on a founders desk
  • Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business Program Any small business or startup that is owned more than 50 percent by a service-disabled veteran or has employees and operators with any service disability can get a direct loan or grant through this program.
  • The Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program(HVRP). Small businesses can get up to $500,000 of money grant via this program if their business goals are beneficial for the economic success of veterans or address historical inequities related to them.
  • Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB) Federal Contracting Program. Around 5% of the federal government allocated federal dollars annually for all the small women-owned businesses. This SBA program supports women entrepreneurs by providing them with business training, technical assistance, counseling, federal contracts, and easy access to capital.
  • 8(a) Business Development Program. The main purpose of this federal program is to assist small businesses run by economically and socially disadvantaged entities. However, an 8(a) certification is required to access this grant application.

Several minority-owned businesses, environmentalists, black-owned businesses, rural communities, and several other low-income communities can also consider the following federal grants.

Assistance Program for Natural Resource Sales

SBA has set aside a major monetary percentage for the natural resource goods and surplus properties for bidding by start-ups or small businesses. It also provides training and counseling.

Here are the categories that can leverage governmental assistance to businesses.

  • Royalty oil
  • Timber and related forest products
  • Surplus real and personal property
  • Strategic materials
  • Leases involving rights to minerals, coal, oil, and gas
  • Surplus real and personal property

Additional Grants For Startups

man handing a founder funds and a contract

Several nonprofit and other corporate entities provide grants to enhance entrepreneurial spirit for small businesses to manage their financial services.

Industry-Specific Grants

These programs set by federal agencies also assist with sales, marketing, and supporting a wide array of technological potential breaming tools. The federal business grants can save these small start-ups from revenue loss and aid them in fulfilling their financial obligation. These grants can be significantly impactful for startup industries that are particularly challenging.

Final Thoughts On Government Assistance For Startups

apply now to a government grant for startups button

Grant funding programs can easily create and boost economic growth to assist diverse businesses or entrepreneurs such as movie theatre operators, women or black-owned businesses, talent representatives, agricultural businesses, or even innovative ideas with high commercial potential. Considering many people wonder if is there any government assistance for startups.

To complete the application cycle, you must go through the eligibility requirements on each program's website. Then, witness actual business growth with no worries about business taxes and ensure seamless business management with the government financial aid. Thankfully no founder will need to worry about is there any government assistance for startups now that we have answered that question.

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