Grants are money for nothing. A little paperwork and money appears. That is what numerous websites and social media posts claim. But the real world is not so kind. Most grants are extremely competitive. For each winner, hundreds of others lose. It may take months to apply. You will need formal business plans, financial projections, and good writing skills. Even then, there are no promises.
Grant money comes with strings, too. You'll be spending money just like you told them you would. You'll have to report periodically. Getting sidetracked can mean repaying the entire amount. And grants are for specific purposes. They'll only pay for a particular business idea. Your location, market, and history all matter. Many too many entrepreneurs waste precious time going after grants they never stood a chance for.
Crowdfunding offers a great alternative. Platforms like Kickstarter and Indiegogo let you pitch to your potential customers. You can raise money and validate your concept. No more lengthy applications and bureaucratic red tape with the government. The process builds your audience and marketing hype.
Many successful businesses started life as crowdfunding campaigns. The platforms work well for a great variety of projects from art projects and tech hardware to community initiatives. Crowdfunding is distinct from grants because you dictate your message and timing. While grants require you to wait for approval, crowdfunding enables you to build your tomorrow today.
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Helping businesses raise funds, is my job, it’s what I excel at.
I’ve successfully assisted over 300 clients in securing more than $20 million in funding.
