MAIN Business Small Business Financing

Starting a small business on a slim budget challenges many new owners looking for outside sources of funding.

Often, successful financing starts with presenting a clear business plan - outlining your product or service and target customers - to a local bank or financial institution. So establishing a good personal and financial relationship with a local banker may be a good first step in securing a start up loan get your small business humming.

If you have an idea that's hot enough to attract angel investors willing to foot the startup bills, you're probably way ahead of the game. However, loans, grants, and other infusions of capital can be difficult to find for a business not yet established, but there is money out there.

Around the Web, check out top resources for discovering tips and advice on where to find it ...

US Small Business Administration - Financial Assistance - Find out if you qualify with related information on organizations and sites that can assist you in locating special purpose grants.

Small Business Loans and Grants - If your business is in the US, check out a rundown of where to go for help with a listing of government, private, and non-profit sources of loans, grants, seed money and venture capital, from Business.gov.

Funding for Business - Canadian small business owners have friends in the highest levels of government. This site lists the wealth of resources and includes links to many private sources and lending institutions.

Count Me In - Whether you've hit the glass ceiling, need to be home with the kids, or finding yourself not fitting into the "old boys network" this group may be able to help a lady entrepreneur in distress.

Australian Grants and Financial Assistance - Small business nurtured in Australia. This government site leads to grants and loans for all sorts of enterprises nationwide.

Business Finance Sites in the UK - The links here lead to good advice on money issues, along with helpful people to assist you.

Enterprise Advisory Service - Offering the free downloadable "All About Grants" guide in PDF format with information on sources of finance for small U.K. and European firms with facts on grants and funding, application info, FAQ and more, plus info for U.S. firms about investment opportunities in the UK or any of the other 24 Members of the European Union.

also see -> Creating an Investor-Ready Business Plan

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