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Small Business Financing

Loans

Small business loans from banks or credit unions are popular among small businesses but peer-to-peer lenders, micro-lenders, or online-only lenders are other sources of funding for small business owners.

Business lines of credit are another type of financing offered by traditional lenders; they are more flexible in the sense that entrepreneurs can withdraw a specific amount a cash a business might need at a certain point in time.

Grants.gov

  • Federal funding opportunities published on Grants.gov are for organizations and entities supporting the development and management of government-funded programs and projects.

Includes instructions on how to apply, a grants learning center which gives details about grant writing tips.

Small Business Administration

  • Funding programs

Find funding to start or grow your business, or to help you recover after a declared disaster.

  • Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR)

Guidelines and applications for small businesses interested in competing for awards for the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs.

  • Specialty loans for specific groups

Specialty loans exist to bolster underserved demographics, such as women, entrepreneurs located in rural areas, immigrants, etc. Scroll down to Funding resources for specific groups

 

Small Business Investment Companies (SBICs) licensed by SBA – find a SBIC

 

Florida

  • Florida State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI) has five programs to serve small businesses. Funds are offered through partnerships with lenders – resources, including FAQs and informational webinars are available here.
  • Microfinance Guarantee Program provides targeted loan guarantees on loans available to Florida small businesses made by private lenders. Guarantees provided are up to 50% on loans of $250,000 or less. To qualify borrowers must have 25 or fewer employees and gross revenues of up to $1.5 million or less the last two years. Find out more. Find a list of local lenders here.

  • South Florida Regional Planning Council Funding opportunities – grant resources, flood related funding resources, Covid related funding resources

  • North Miami Community Redevelopment Agency

    Grant programs – commercial grants for business attraction, beautification and enhancement, rehabilitation, capacity building and retention

Can be a donation, rewards or equity based. Several crowdfunding platforms exist and terms are not standardized, therefor it is advised to review them as closely as you would review loans from traditional lenders.

FINRA

Crowdfunding portals regulated by FINRA