If you are specifically working on a technologically based business for technological advancement then the SBIR or Small Business Innovation Research grant may be something you can apply for. You can get information on this at this link:

http://www.sba.gov/sbir/indexfast.html

You may also want to look into the STTR or Small Business Technology Transfer. This can be found at this link:

http://www.sba.gov/sbir/indexsbir-sttr.html

The CFDA or Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance has several different grants that you can review and see if your business fits the criteria. You can view these options through this link:

http://12.46.245.173/pls/portal30/CATALOG.FIND_ASSISTANCE_PROGRAM_DYN.show

In different areas you might be able to find a variation of the requirements for these grants. However a base set of requirements are these:

Non-profit organization
Rurally located businesses
Technical advancement
Community assistance
Specific sales revenue
Specific sex and race
Specific purposes

There are a few small businesses that have gotten these government grants because they have met the criteria and have a strong business plan. However, it is much easier to get a small business loan.

Most government agencies like the Department of Commerce, do not offer any grants to startup knew businesses. There are some grant programs through your state branches of your government. However these also follow a strict set of criteria. They are granted in most cases for education or medicine.

Too often people look for the easy way. There is no easy way to get a government grant. You have to do the legwork, and you have to meet the criteria. The advertisings you see about free money, free government grants, will not only be costly, but usually are false, and could be fraudulent.

When you begin your search for government grants keep these tips in mind. It will help your search be more realistic, and hopefully a little more productive.

1. When do you need the money? If it is right away, a good low percent loan through your local SBA department may be a better idea. A grant can take about one year to obtain, and remember it is not guaranteed.
2. How much time and resources do you have in order to apply for a grant? You will need to find a grant that your business can fit into the criteria and then you have to complete the process.
3. If you hire a consultant, you may have a good chance at finding a grant.
4. It is important that if you take on the grant process, that you still focus the required time to getting a new business started.
5. When you apply for a government grant, it is beneficial to make sure that all of the documentation requested is complete and accurate. This will help to save time for the process to be completed.
6. Get to know the grant officer that you are working with. If you know them, they know you and perception is everything.
7. Bring in expert information about the service you will be bringing to the community.
8. Know your budget and business information. Have your business plan, marketing plan etc complete and professional.
9. Make regular contact with the grant officer to make sure that they do not need any further assistance in helping you obtain your grant.

If you find that a government grant may not work for your business, remember there are many other sources of finding funding for your new small business. The SBA or Small Business Administration has several good loan options. These loans are specifically set up for the support of small businesses.

There is also friends and family or commercial loans that may make the start up of your small business a success.

What ever your choice, the benefit of opening a small business, out weighs by far the work you will have to do. So get started, because that is the biggest step in making your ideas become a reality.