Bad Credit Loans

photo credit: Marcin Wichary

When we started our company in 2002, venture capital was scarce, so we sought alternative ways to finance the business. The Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) program, specifically the one offered through the National Science Foundation (NSF), is high quality source of funding. I have personally worked on proposals that have won awards from the Department of Defense (DoD) and the NSF totaling over $2.1 million. I am also a business reviewer for Phase II proposals for the NSF. I have both been through the proposal process and the selection process.

The SBIR Program

The SBIR program was created in 1982 as part of the Small Business Innovation Development Act. Eleven Federal departments and agencies are required under this act to reserve a portion of their R&D funds to be awarded to small businesses each year. Read more of this >>

photo credit: Alex Osterwalder

In the experience of many small businesses over the years, one thing is certain – no matter what type of business you start, it is going to require money from somewhere. Although many entrepreneurs are one-person companies, raising sufficient money is often overlooked seriously by many new startups. The word sufficient here is defined as the amount of money that will really make this business succeed through practical and aggressive means.

Most of the time, the passion of starting a new business overtakes common sense and a real clear idea of the startup and operating capital needed is lacking. So it is advised that when you consider shopping for money to start your business, that you do so after completing some form of a business plan. Even if you take money out of your own pocket or borrow on the equity on your home or from your credit card, it is essential that you know ahead of time that it will be well spent. Read more of this >>

photo credit: megananne

If you have come up with a new idea or just want to finally start that business of your own, finding the capital you need to get started may be the thing getting in your way. It is no secret that many new business ventures fail because of insufficient starting capital. Well, you will be pleased to know that there is help available for startup businesses. In order to support the development of new business, the government and various organizations offer grants to new or expanding businesses. While this may sound very generous, it only makes sense since it is in the best interest of the country, and other businesses as well, to encourage new enterprises by investing new venture capital; thus giving life to the dreams of entrepreneurs and continuing to promote advancement in business and technology.

Finding the right grant for your new business is an important first step and may be the only way to get your business operational. You will be surprised once you start down his road that it is not as painful as you may have imagined. There many resources along the way to guide you through the process. Read more of this >>

photo credit: Ange Soleil ( a.k.a Tweng )

In order to succeed as a business you need a definitive and solid understanding of your business’ finances. While many new small businesses are often times financed out of, you the owner’s pockets, most of the others need some extra funds from other sources in order to get off the ground. The truth is however, you need to be smart about your choices.

You need to be selective and pretty keen when it comes to finding finance for your business. A few wrong choices and you’ll find yourself along with your business in a lot of trouble. There are several methods to finance your business especially for small businesses. Here are five places where you can find finances for your business: Read more of this >>