Funding for the business you are opening
SBA loan and counseling programs, federal grants, tax credits and Opportunity Zones, in one place. The Lender Report a Neur analysis produces is written to go into these applications.
SBA 7(a) Loan Program
The most common SBA loan. Up to $5M for working capital, equipment, real estate, or debt refinancing. Guaranteed by the SBA up to 85%.
SBA 504 Loan Program
Long-term, fixed-rate financing up to $5.5M for major assets like real estate and equipment. Requires 10% down.
SBA Microloan Program
Loans up to $50,000 through nonprofit intermediary lenders. Average loan ~$13,000. For startups and small businesses needing smaller capital.
SBA Disaster Loans
Low-interest loans up to $2M for businesses affected by declared disasters. Covers physical damage and economic injury.
Community Advantage Loan
Loans up to $350,000 targeting underserved markets — startups, rural businesses, and veteran-owned firms.
Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR)
Competitive grants for small businesses doing R&D with commercial potential. Phase I: up to $275K. Phase II: up to $1.5M.
Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR)
Similar to SBIR but requires formal partnership with a research institution. Funds cooperative R&D.
EDA Economic Development Grants
Grants for projects that create jobs and leverage private capital. Includes Public Works, Planning, and Build to Scale programs.
USDA Rural Business Development Grant
Grants for rural small businesses and cooperatives. Funds technical assistance, training, and business planning.
Amber Grant for Women
Monthly $10,000 grants and an annual $25,000 grant for women-owned businesses. No restrictions on business type.
SBA 8(a) Business Development
9-year program providing access to sole-source federal contracts, mentorship, and training for socially/economically disadvantaged businesses.
HUBZone Program
Preference in federal contracting for businesses in Historically Underutilized Business Zones. Set-aside and sole-source contracts.
Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB) Program
Set-aside federal contracts for women-owned small businesses in industries where women are underrepresented.
Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business
Sole-source and set-aside federal contracts for businesses owned by service-disabled veterans.
SCORE Mentorship
Free mentoring from experienced business professionals. 300+ chapters nationwide. Virtual and in-person sessions.
Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs)
Free consulting and low-cost training through a nationwide network of ~1,000 centers. Business planning, financial analysis, marketing.
Women's Business Centers (WBCs)
Over 140 centers providing counseling, training, and access to capital specifically for women entrepreneurs.
Veterans Business Outreach Centers (VBOCs)
Business training, counseling, and mentorship for veterans and military spouses. 22 centers nationwide.
R&D Tax Credit (IRC §41)
Federal tax credit for qualified research expenses. Startups (< $5M revenue) can apply up to $500K/year against payroll taxes.
Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC)
Tax credit of $2,400–$9,600 per eligible new hire from targeted groups (veterans, SNAP recipients, ex-felons, etc.).
New Markets Tax Credit (NMTC)
Tax credits for investments in low-income communities. 39% credit over 7 years on qualified equity investments.
Opportunity Zone Tax Incentive
Tax benefits for investing capital gains into Qualified Opportunity Zones: deferral, reduction, and potential elimination of capital gains tax.