Start Your Own Business

Watch this recording of the Lake Huron SBDC team as they discuss several options to fund your business. The webinar will discuss business loans, lines of credit, crowd funding, investors and those grants that everyone “hears about”.

Nearly everyone who has ever started a business has underestimated the costs, and then faced the danger of running with inadequate capital reserves. The key to avoiding this pitfall is to adopt a rigorous approach to your research and planning. The SCORE Startup Expenses worksheet will lead you through the process.

U.S. News and World Report overview of how small business loans work and what kinds of loan are available.

The "Five C's" are the basic components of credit analysis. They are described here to help you understand what the lender looks for.

Check out our Financial Literacy Guide to access free budgeting apps, free credit reports, and more.

Free business planning, finance, sales, marketing and management templates & guides from SCORE.

This article will take a quick look at the big picture, and then talk through options for funding.

CEED Lending is an initiative of the Great Lakes Women’s Business Council. We provide small business loans to start-up and existing enterprises owned by men and women.

Grants.gov is your source to FIND and APPLY for federal grants.

Kiva Detroit is the first Kiva City, a program where Kiva works with community organizations in the United States to provide local small businesses with microloans.

Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) works to increase the availability of capital for companies in Michigan at every stage of company development. MEDC can help connect your business with capital providers - federal grants, venture capitalists, banks, and others - as well as offer programs that can expand the reach of those capital providers.

Brief overview of sources of funding.

The Endurance Loan Program is a loan opportunity paired with grant funding for new and existing businesses in Washtenaw County.

Start or expand your business with loans guaranteed by the Small Business Administration. Use Lender Match to find lenders that offer loans for your business. Find Lenders.

Rural Development Loan Assistance - Program assistance is provided in many ways, including direct or guaranteed loans, grants, technical assistance, research and educational materials.

The office of Federal Student Aid provides publications, fact sheets, online tools, and other resources to help you prepare and pay for college or career school.

Fact sheets, videos, infographics, PowerPoint presentations, sample tweets, and other resources on federal student aid.

Our loans provide equitable access to capital needed to allow individuals to realize the dream of homeownership, create and expand small businesses, and create new affordable housing, across Michigan.