The resources throughout the Capital Connection Web site are appropriate for women. However there are several venture capital companies, loan sources, publications, and web sites that are targeted specifically for women that might be helpful.

58 Ways To Find Money For Your Business is crammed with tips, information, and help for entrepreneurs and small business owners who need money for their company. From joint venture partners, grants, and bartering to venture capital and small business -SBA loans, you’ll find a way to finance your company, whether you need $500 or $500,000.

The authors, Brian Hill and Dee Power, put their combined 30 years of experience with early stage companies, and working with hundreds of businesses in nearly every industry, into

58 Ways To Find Money For Your Business.

Venture Capital Companies

Ark Capital Management
150 North Wacker Drive Suite 2650
Chicago, Illinois 60606
Phone: (312) 541-0330

The Capital Fund for Entrepreneurs, Inc.
4747 Troost Avenue
Kansas City, Missouri 64110
Phone: (816) 561-4646

Isabella Capital
312 Walnut Street #3540
Cincinnati, OH 45202
Phone 513-721-7110 Fax 513-721-7115

Inroads Capital Partners
1603 Orrington Ave. #2050
Evanston, IL 60201
Phone 847-864-2000 Fax 847-864-9692

New Vista Capital
540 Cowper Street, Suite 200
Palo Alto, California 94301
Phone 650-329-9333 Fax 650-329-9333

Telecommunications Fund
2020 K Street NW #375
Washington DC 20006
202-293-8840 Fax 202-293-8850

Wired Partners
8447 Ridge Rd
Medina, WA 98039
Phone 425-709-7137 Fax 425-709-6886
e-Mail: reneed@oz.net

Women First Capital Fund
PO Box 7505
Portland, ME 04112
Phone 207-828-1077
E-Mail: womenfirstcapital@yahoo.com

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Venture Capital Conferences

Forums, Business Incubators,

Forum For Women Entrepreneurs based in Silicon Valley has some helpful links and information.

Loan Programs, Grants

Special and development fund loans These loans are offered to encourage growth in depressed areas, sometimes referred to as enterprise zones or to increase employment. Loans are available for minority, ethnic, handicapped and women. Check with special interest groups, women's organizations, and black or Hispanic chambers of commerce. Qualifying for theses funds vary widely as they are controlled by the state, city, or special interest group. Call your city's development or small business assistance office and your state's department of commerce or development.

SBA Loans SBA loans are loans to small businesses, usually between $50,000 to $750,000. The Small Business Administration, SBA, guarantees the payment of the loan to the lending entity. The loan is not made by the SBA to the business. The agency has no funds for direct lending or grants. A small business is defined for the most part as a business having less than $6 million in net worth and income of less than $2 million. A small business is also defined by the number of employees dependent upon the industry.

The 7(a) Loan Guaranty Program is one of SBA's primary lending programs. It provides loans to small businesses unable to secure financing through normal lending channels. Go to your local lender, and select that lender carefully. Banks are not the only provider of SBA Loans, in some areas more SBA loans are provided by commercial financing entities like the Money Store, and GE Capital than banks.

Specialized 7(a):Minority and Women's
A pilot program that uses intermediaries to assist prospective minority and women borrowers in developing viable loan application packages and securing loans. The intermediaries are usually nonprofit groups such as women's organizations. Your local SBA office or Small Business Development Center should be able to tell you who to contact.

Grants There aren't any grants to start or expand a business. There are no grants available from the SBA, Small Business Association, only loans. There are no grants from the federal government to start or expand a business. The only business oriented grants are for Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) from the federal government. The SBIR grants are awarded competitively to established businesses primarily in the areas of science and technology. We have attempted to find grants in general, and for women, to start or expand a business with the SBA, two national grant foundations, and several experts in grant and proposal writing and sourcing.

Associations and Organizations

National Association of Women Business Owners

National Women Business Owners Corporation

The National Foundation for Women Business Owners

Web sites for Women in business

Women's Business Center

Government Assistance

Please check with your city and state for local resources provided for women in business.

The SBA Office of Women's Business Ownership

Publications