| For women starting a business, grant opportunities are | | | | Other sources of grants are universities and non-profit |
| worth exploring as possible funding sources. Grants for | | | | organizations. Many metropolitan areas have small |
| every type of business are available, whether it's a | | | | grants that can help with start-up or expansion costs, |
| brokerage firm, a record label, or a restaurant. The | | | | and universities are home to many public / private |
| number of women-owned businesses has grown | | | | partnerships that can be sources of grant money, and |
| rapidly in the first decade of the 2000s, and this | | | | sometimes research facilities as well. |
| number is likely to continue to grow as more people | | | | For women starting a business grant applications will |
| leave the corporate world and strike out on their own. | | | | almost all begin with a mission statement explaining the |
| Research has shown that women run businesses | | | | reasons for starting the business. Hence, before |
| differently than men. At least half of female business | | | | applying for grant money, it is imperative that women |
| owners are right brain dominated, allowing them to see | | | | starting businesses take the time to create a mission |
| opportunities that might not be apparent to those who | | | | statement focusing on what problems the business will |
| are left brain dominated, as are most male business | | | | solve, and how it will help not only women, but the |
| owners. Brain scans have also shown that women | | | | overall community. |
| use both sides of their brains in making decisions, | | | | Also before applying for any grants, business owners |
| allowing them a mix of creativity and analytic thinking, | | | | should design an organizational structure clearly |
| both of which are important for start-up businesses. | | | | showing the chain of command. This is a good thing to |
| The US federal government provides $350 billion in | | | | include as an appendix to a grant application if there is |
| grants every year for small businesses. There are | | | | not a specific section of the grant application set aside |
| even special grants available for women who want to | | | | for an organization chart, because it helps those |
| start up businesses based in their homes, which is | | | | distributing grant money to better evaluate a |
| convenient for women who want to have a career | | | | businesses potential. |
| and be able to stay home with young children. | | | | Today, women in the US are attaining college degrees |
| Technology and innovation grants are readily available | | | | at higher rates than ever, and the large growth of |
| and are good choices for women who want to start | | | | female-owned businesses is partly a result of that. |
| up software businesses or go into business as online | | | | Women starting businesses should take advantage of |
| consultants. The US Small Business Administration | | | | every opportunity available for gaining small business |
| website has an extensive list of government agencies | | | | grants. These sources of money can help any |
| that make high tech grants for start-ups run by | | | | business have a healthier start and better chances of |
| women. | | | | success. Check out all the options available. |