Small business grants   Where an entrepreneur can get access to small business grants is a common question I receive. Grants come in a variety of shapes. Some are available to any entrepreneur, while others are specific to certain groups (i.e. women, minorities, etc.).   Let’s take a look at some of the various small business grants that are out there.   Federal programs   One of the best resources is the U.S. small business grant database at Grant.gov. Here you can search through all available federal grants, as well as the agencies that offer those grants. The site includes a lot of resources to help entrepreneurs better understand the grant application and approval process. Another nice feature is that the database is also accessible via a mobile app.   Two of the specific federal grant programs that I have had the most experience with are the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs which focus on research and development of technology and scientific research. My exposure to these programs has largely occurred through my time managing my cities incubator and during my time working with the Innovation Crossroads program. One key point is that, like with other grant programs, the application and approval process is very competitive and detail oriented. You need to prove that the research you will be doing is aimed at solving a problem the government is looking for answers to.   Other programs   While the government is the main provider of small business grants, there are other grant resources available. For example, some large corporations provide grants to entrepreneurs as well. Companies like FedEx offer a grant through their annual grant contest.   Keep in mind that while small business grants do exist, a business grant is not always “free money”. Meaning that they can come with various stipulations that the entrepreneur is required to fulfill.   For more information about funding your business, click here.