Small Business Development

Mediation services are provided by a number of Federal agencies (such as, the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service), to resolve disputes between labor and management, and prevent unfair monopolistic practices and unfair methods of competition. EducationMoney.com repackages information from the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance in an interesting manner.

The Small Business Administration (SBA), the Department of Transportation (DOT), and the General Services Administration (GSA) provide the following assistance programs to large and small businesses in the form of training, counseling, and insured loans. EducationMoney.com repackages information from the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance in an interesting manner.

An introduction to invention funding with several different sources of invention funding that you can approach to borrow or raise the funds needed to bring your idea through the several stages of process and to the marketplace.

ACCION USA offers flexible loans (up to $50,000) and provides affordable alternatives to high-cost sources of capital, such as credit cards, factoring, or predatory lenders.

Our primary focus is assisting women who are trying to start small businesses, home-based or online. The grants are small, usually $500 to $1000, and are intended to be used to upgrade equipment, pay for a web site etc - the small but essential expenses that can often make the difference between getting started or being forever stalled. No repayment is required or expected, although it is hoped that you will pass on the kindness by mentoring and helping others along the way.

Are you on the hunt for capital to start or grow your business? Search our listing of the best small-business-friendly banks most likely to lend you the funds you need. Includes state-by-state directory of microbusiness friendly banks, top 100 venture capital funds in the U.S., how to raise money for your business, and start-up financing advice.

Some of the most current grant opportunities posted by the federal government. Select business and commerce as funding activity category.

A commercial web site that provides categorized funding criteria for over 4,000 sources of business capital.

This Federal initiative provides a free, interactive search tool for loans, grants and financing for small businesses. Site includes many resources for starting or expanding a small business, including community discussion boards. Popular topics include starting a small business and loans, grants, and taxes. Read past discussion threads or post your own question.

An internet-based organization that raises money to make small-business loans to women.

Crest Capital is an Equipment Finance and Equipment Leasing company that provides businesses with the funds they require to obtain the equipment they need. Regardless of the strength of the economy or the current economic climate, Crest understands that solid businesses still wish to grow, and strives to provide easy financing at great rates, with the fastest approval time in the industry.

If your community is a HUD Empowerment Zone, an Enterprise Community, an Urban Renewal Community, or a Rural Community, tax benefits may be available for businesses that expand, start, or relocate there.

Select employment, labor, and training as funding category.

Are you on the hunt for venture capital to start or grow your business? If so, you've come to the right place. Here are the information and resources you need to initiate, negotiate and close the deal. We've got a listing of the top 100 venture capital firms in the United States and plenty of articles that will help you learn how to get to the deal-closing handshake. So read on to find out how to find a VC firm that's a perfect fit for your business.

This web site sponsored by the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation provides resources covering many topics of interest to entrepreneurs, including starting and growing a business, and supporting entrepreneurship.

Review federal business opportunities posted over the last 30 days.

The Department of Labor and other Federal agencies provide the following programs to stimulate industry and generate employment opportunities; facilitate the integration of employers and labor organizations; improve the quality of the workforce and reduce welfare dependency; and enhance the productivity and competitiveness of the nation's economy. EducationMoney.com repackages information from the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance in an interesting manner.

A Business Brief Compiled by: Angela Wilson, Carolyn Larson, Shari Jacobson, Business Reference Services, Humanities and Social Sciences Division, Library of Congress, Washington 1994.

Describes the various loan programs of the U.S. Small Business Administration.

A compilation by the Finance Project, June 2005.

Most grants corporations give are to non-profit community groups, rather than for-profit businesses. But check out the options and other ways big companies will help small your company.

You've got a great biz idea and all the waitresses at your favorite cafe say you can probably get a government grant to launch the biz. Logical thought, but the unfortunate reality is that the government doesn't easily give grants.
But, you say, on TV ads I hear about government grants all the time! Yes, the federal government gives grants, but they don't give money to folks just to follow a dream, start a new biz or buy out the boss. Instead, they give money to state and local agencies and nonprofit organizations and those groups use the money to accomplish the government's goals.
Get past the jargon and go direct to sources of government help -- we help you dig into the SBA, CFDA, SBIR STTR Grant Program, & many more!

A funding platform for artists, scientists, and entrepreneurs. Post a description of a project you want funded, how much money you need, and a deadline. If enough people pledge the money that you need, everyone is billed. For funding goals that aren't reached, no one is charged. Since its inception in April 2009, more than 1,000 projects have been funded. Not a grant program! If anyone has used this program successfully, send a note to the web page editor.

Practical advice on start-up funding from Womanowned.com

Provides investment information for minorities and women. Also provides information for minority and women-owned businesses seeking capital. The site is sponsored by Creative Investment Research, Inc., an investment research and management company.

Think SBA loans, not grants. The About.Com web page also provides additional advice.

The MoneyTree Report is a quarterly study of venture capital investment activity in the United States. As a collaboration between PricewaterhouseCoopers and the National Venture Capital Association based upon data from Thomson Financial, it is the only industry-endorsed research of its kind. The MoneyTree Report is the definitive source of information on emerging companies that receive financing and the venture capital firms that provide it. The study is a staple of the financial community, entrepreneurs, government policymakers and the business press worldwide.

This 12-session course is intended for both start-up and already operating businesses. The site is fully interactive with video clips, quizzes, feedback, and a tool to create your own business plan. Session 9 focuses on how to finance your business.

Why do so many entrepreneurs believe in the Tooth Fairy? Advice from Business Week online.

The National Venture Capital Association (NVCA) is the trade association that represents the venture capital industry. It is a member-based organization. Its membership consists of venture capital firms and organizations who manage pools of risk equity capital designated to be invested in young, emerging companies. Currently, the NVCA represents 400+ member firms, representing the majority of venture capital invested in U.S. based companies.

A guide to the concept of leveraging OPM (or, “other people’s money”). Advice from NuWire Investor, July 1, 2007.

The Pennsylvania Small Business Development Centers (SBDC) are the only statewide, nationally accredited program that provides high quality one-on-one consulting, training and information resources to empower new and existing businesses. The SBDC program is a public/private partnership with the U.S. Small Business Administration, the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development and 18 universities and colleges across the Commonwealth.

U.S. Small Business Association (SBA) loans can be a great opportunity for entrepreneurs to finance small businesses. However, these loans may prove more difficult to get than many applicants think. Borrowers planning to apply for SBA loans should plan in advance for the potential hurdles that lie in store. Advice from NuWire Investor, March 3, 2008.

A national association that can give you a personal business coach to help you with every step of your business. SCORE has offices in each state and 24/7 online advisors.

The U.S. government does not currently provide grants for starting or expanding a small business. However, the government does offer plenty of free help in planning how to start or improve your business and in securing low-interest SBA-backed small business loans.

The journey into the world of finance can be interesting and exciting with the right knowledge and experience. Whether you are a new business setting up your records and bank accounts or an established business preparing a loan request or financing plan, the Finance Center has training and information to assist you. Written for businesses like you by SBA's Women's Business Centers across the country, the Finance Center helps you travel the road to success. Ready to accelerate your learning? Then read on for easy-to-use, practical advice prepared by experienced business counselors and instructors.

SBICs are public-private partnerships contributing to an environment where America’s entrepreneurs can flourish – generating millions of jobs, billions of dollars in economic prosperity, and countless improvements to our health, safety, and way of life.

A technical assistance initiative of the International Trade Administration of the U.S. Department of Commerce, SABIT offers organizations competitive grants and an opportunity to host industry-specific delegations. SABIT serves as an initial entry point for U.S. businesses seeking funding to establish long-term relationships with potential customers, distributors, or partners in the former Soviet Union. The program trains Eurasian managers and scientists in commonly accepted business practices as a means of facilitating cross border relationships. In turn, these personal relationships serve as a basis for business development and reduce market access barriers for U.S. businesses.