There are plenty of opportunities for
inventors to get their projects funded and distributed, but there are a
lot of scams out there as well. About.com's portal of invention
information is a decent launching point for your search into legitimate
opportunities.
Whether you're interested in buying a franchise,
franchising your existing business or supplying products to a franchise
network, you ought to visit the IFA's Website. Its many resources
include databases of franchise opportunities and suppliers.
My Own Business, Inc., is a nonprofit
organization which offers a free, online, twelve-session course that
provides the basic do's and don'ts for entrepreneurs. With audio sound
bytes, quizzes, feedback and a tool to create your own business plan,
the site is fully interactive.
The Small Business Administration's site is full of
information on subjects such as running a startup, getting a business
loan, and buying a franchise. It can help you find inexpensive
government resources, such as your local Small Business Development
Centers and Women's Business Centers.
Looking for a franchine? The
SBA-sponsored Franchise Registry to see if the business qualifies for a
government loan. You can search an online database of franchises, then
apply for the registry online.