The truth about grants

Grants are real, but the fantasy of "free government money to start any business" is not — and that fantasy is bait for scams. Real grants are narrow: tied to a specific industry, activity, or group. Know where the legitimate ones live, apply where you genuinely fit, and never pay someone to 'get you a grant.'

Do this

1. Set the expectation: most small businesses are funded by savings and loans, not grants. Treat grants as a bonus.
2. Look where real ones live: exporting (STEP), manufacturing R&D, and community/industry-specific programs.
3. Check grants matched to you in Bizer's Capital tool, plus local economic-development offices and grants.gov.
4. Never pay a fee to 'unlock' a grant, and ignore anyone who guarantees one — those are scams.

Real grants vs. scams

REAL grants are specific and free to apply for: • STEP — for small businesses starting to export • Manufacturing / R&D grants — for makers and innovators • Community & industry grants — via local econ-dev offices, foundations • Programs for women-, veteran-, minority-, or rural-owned businesses Start at grants.gov, your state's economic-development site, and Bizer's Capital tool (/capital → Grants), which matches grants to your business.

SCAM red flags — walk away: ✗ "Free government grant to start ANY business!" ✗ A fee to "apply," "process," or "release" the grant ✗ A guarantee, or a DM/text out of nowhere Legitimate grants never charge you to apply.