Learning & Grants
Some of the most valuable small-business help in the US is free and underused. SCORE mentors, Small Business Development Centers, Women's Business Centers and Veterans Business Outreach Centers offer one-on-one advising on business plans, financing, marketing and growth, funded in part by the SBA. If you have never met with one, it is worth an hour.
Grants for general small businesses are rarer than many websites suggest; most federal grants go to research (SBIR/STTR), rural development, or nonprofits and local agencies that run programs. Grants.gov and SBIR.gov are the official sources. Be wary of anyone charging a fee to access "free government grants". For selling to the government, APEX Accelerators and SBA contracting programs help you register and bid.
Free advising
Grants & funding
Government contracting
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SBA Contracting Programs
SBA programs such as 8(a), HUBZone and women-owned certifications that help small firms win federal contracts.
sba.gov -
MySBA Certifications
Portal to apply for and manage SBA small-business certifications.
certify.sba.gov
Courses & research
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Google Skillshop
Free courses and certifications for Google Ads and Analytics.
skillshop.withgoogle.com
How to choose
- Book a free advisor through SCORE or your local SBDC before paying for a business-plan writer or consultant.
- Search Grants.gov by eligibility; many listings are open only to states, nonprofits or institutions, not individual businesses.
- If you do research and development, SBIR and STTR awards are among the largest non-dilutive funds available to small companies.
- Register on SAM.gov and talk to an APEX Accelerator before bidding on government contracts.
- Free platform courses (Google, Meta, HubSpot) are a fast way to learn ads, analytics and marketing basics.
Frequently asked questions
Are there free government grants to start a business?
The federal government generally does not give grants to start or grow ordinary for-profit businesses. Federal grants mainly support research, specific industries or rural development. State, local and private programs exist; check their official sites and avoid paid "grant access" services.
What is SCORE?
A nonprofit network of volunteer business mentors, supported by the SBA, that offers free mentoring and low-cost workshops.
What does an SBDC do?
Small Business Development Centers, usually hosted by universities and colleges, provide free one-on-one consulting and training on topics from business plans to financing and exporting.
How do I start selling to the federal government?
Register your business in SAM.gov, learn the SBA small-business contracting programs you may qualify for, and contact your local APEX Accelerator for free help finding and bidding on opportunities.
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