Have any of you done this..I am curious to know the pros/cons.I realize government grants are different in Canada than than the US but I am interested to know the ups and downs of doing it this way to get money to start up!!


Laurel

I'm not sure what Cananda has to offer, but here in the US there is a grant available for developing incubator kitchens. I have done alot of research and this one and economic development are about the only ones that could possibly be used for any type of kitchen

HTH

Evey lead I've trid to follow for this has been a bust. Most of them say "Send us $49.95 and we'll tell you how to find grants!" then you find out the grants are for minorities, disabled, single mothers, or some other group I don't qualify for, or for non-profit biz. If someone knows of a legit grant service available for your average Jane Doe like me, I'd happily check it out and use it!! Sorry I'm not much help here. Just sharing my experience.

Other than the incubator kitchen (we have one in my city) there are no grants for anyone to open a for profit business. Really, think about it. No one is going to give you money for free (a grant) in order for you to make money. You have to invest your own money, so that you have "skin in the game" and are fully committed to making the biz grow.

MnSnow, could you explain what an incubator kitchen is? I have read that term and was totally confused.

My understanding is that an incubator kitchen is one where people can rent time in it. It's a licensed kitchen that people can use... like a caker who wants to start their own biz but doesn't have the means to open their own whole bakery and just want a licensed spot to use now and then. Someone please correct me if I'm misguided.

I've done some research: the US Federal government doesn't offer grants for new businesses. Most of theer grants are directed to the medical and education fields. You'd have better luck with a SBA loan. I found that grants for start ups comes from state monies. My state government doesn't have much to offer, and I'd have to contact my mayor, congressman, county exec, or some official to apply, on my behalf, for grant moneies that will be a line item on the state budget, for 2011-2012. Yeah, not encouraging.

I did find a link on our state's USDA program that I may be qualified for, I'm still running that option down. Also, being in a rural area, I 've looked for an economic developmnet grant, but there are stipulations that will probably disqualify me (# of required employees). A contact with the state grant office gave me a link to the govenor's office to see if I can qualify for stimulus monies. Haven't checked on that yet.

I did the $69.95 per month for 30 days, such a waste! So don't rope yourself into a grant finding program. I've not given up, but my hopes are dwindling on getting free money. A Small Business Association load, I believe, is in my future.

What Leahs said, there are no grants for for profit businesses UNLESS you are going into business to provide the government with a product they specifically have designated (cake shops don't make the list) or you are opening a school or shelter/training facility for the betterment of your community...but those entities are non-profits.

Sorry, that is just the way the cookie crumbles

Hey Kiddiekakes

I'm not sure about grants but I went to my local CBDC and they gave me information on the programs available. I was qualified for a loan up to $25 000 interest and payment free for 13 months also I qualified for UI for 50 weeks. There are funds available for consultants for the admin side of the business and I may be eligible for a training grant.

Not sure what's available in your province, I'm in New Brunswick but it's definitely worth checking out.

HTH

I am looking for a link that I used to have a long time ago (maybe it doesn't exsist anymore, it was 10 years ago and I was looking for money for an Egyptian Arabian horse ranch for my BIL, LOL!!), it was the same stuff that I see advertised to buy for $49.95 or whatever. It was from the gov of canada website, so it was good information about grants.
What I've seen lately is that these days "grants" aren't being offered as much anymore, but there are some that are geared for women in business specifically. I will sift through all my old stuff and send the link to you when I find it.