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St. Louis Small Business Financing Guide

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Louis-area firms were approved for some $5.1 billion from the federal Paycheck Protection Program this spring, according to an analysis of newly released data by the Business Journal. Below is a guide to small business financing in Missouri with a focus on loans, grants, and outside investments. Small Business Loans in Missouri Missouri small business loans are the most common type of financing available to companies in need of capital. LiftFund provides small business loans in St. Louis and Kansas City, Missouri. We offer micro loans for startups, financial training and business services for women and minorities.

Small businesses and startup firms are the engines that keep Missouri moving forward, creating jobs and pioneering innovations that help the Show-Me State compete in today's global economy. And with 95 percent of total businesses in the state classified as small businesses (1-49 employees), we have the manpower, tools, and proven track record of providing a welcoming, supportive environment for small business owners and entrepreneurs to feel at home. In fact, the latest U.S. Census data (2013) found that Missouri is leading the nation in new business creation, with new business numbers surging by more than 16 percent, more than double of any other state in the country.

You may have heard of up and coming social media platform LockerDome, or maybe national video news service Newsy, or even global provider of probiotic products, SCD Probiotics? These are just a few of the hundreds of startups popping up around the state and growing the state's tech and innovative scene. But even big corporations—like Express Scripts, Boeing and World Wide Technology, all of which are Fortune 100 companies, had to start somewhere and they chose Missouri. Take advantage of the state's targeted resources, talented workforce, and support for innovation, and start growing your business right here in the Show-Me State.

National Accolades for Missouri's Startup & Small Business Community:

2017

2016

Guide

2015

Resources for Missouri Small Businesses & Startups:

If your startup exhausted all funding sources and you still need access to capital to expand, connect with your local economic development agency/local government to learn about how this loan program can help finance new machinery and working equipment, construct space, or provide working capital.

Have the next big idea in tech or innovation? This co-investment program provides early-stage capital to help startups leverage and attract private investments necessary to fund product development, commercialization, or to hire key staff to help your startup grow.

These low-interest or zero-interest direct loans help small businesses take steps toward expanding and creating jobs.

The state's number one incentive tool for expansion and retention, this program helps businesses access capital through withholdings or tax credits to embark on facility expansions and create jobs. This program can also help businesses purchase equipment to maintain its facility in Missouri.

St. louis small business financing guideline

2015

Resources for Missouri Small Businesses & Startups:

If your startup exhausted all funding sources and you still need access to capital to expand, connect with your local economic development agency/local government to learn about how this loan program can help finance new machinery and working equipment, construct space, or provide working capital.

Have the next big idea in tech or innovation? This co-investment program provides early-stage capital to help startups leverage and attract private investments necessary to fund product development, commercialization, or to hire key staff to help your startup grow.

These low-interest or zero-interest direct loans help small businesses take steps toward expanding and creating jobs.

The state's number one incentive tool for expansion and retention, this program helps businesses access capital through withholdings or tax credits to embark on facility expansions and create jobs. This program can also help businesses purchase equipment to maintain its facility in Missouri.

From co-working spaces and incubators, to networking opportunities and angel investors, learn about resources in your area that make up Missouri's supportive startup ecosystem.

Located throughout the state, the centers work closely with their associated universities to develop high-growth advanced technology companies and commercialize innovations. The centers provide specialized facilities, access to capital, technical and business experts, resourcs and specialized service providers.

Helping small businesses grow is a team effort. Dozens of organizations throughout the state are dedicated to supporting entrepreneurship. Connect with chambers, economic development councils, training partners and educational institutions that provide a variety of services geared towards innovation and enterprise.

Connectivity:

If your business or startup firm required high-speed internet to carry out its day-to-day duties, Missouri has you covered! Home to some of the fastest internet speeds in the world, Missouri makes it easy to tap into global markets and serve clients worldwide. In fact, one of Missouri's most concentrated industries is Internet Search Providers, Search Portals, and Data Processing, providing the high-tech infrastructure that allows startups and small businesses to grow and succeed in a competitive economy.

Currently, Missouri has the 2nd fastest average internet download speed in the nation (36.7 Mbps) and the 14th fastest internet upload speed in the nation (10.5 Mbps). Eight Missouri cities rank among the top 100 for fastest average internet download speeds: Grandview (10) at 111.48 Mbps, Tipton (25) at 66.94 Mbps, Kansas City (26) at 66.71 Mbps, Belton (35) at 61.93 Mbps, Pacific (65) at 54.73 Mbps, Marshall (68) at 54.51 Mbps, Pevely (75) at 54.03 Mbps, O'Fallon (96)at 52.62 Mpbs. Additionally, five Missouri cities rank among the top 100 for fastest average internet upload speeds: Grandview (4) at 108.47 Mbps, Marshall (10) at 65.15 Mbps, Tipton (11) at 64.37 Mbps, Kansas City (14) at 56.95 Mbps, and Belton (21) at 49.09 Mbps.

Business Licenses, Business Assistance Center, Venture Capital Resources

Top Requests

News

Services and Information

St. Louis Small Business Financing Guides

  • Begin New Venture Center
    Begin New Venture Center offers business assistance to start-ups, early-stage companies, and non-profit organizations.
  • Business Associations and Community Partners
    Links to Business Associations serving the City of St. Louis.
  • Business Consortium Fund
    The Business Consortium Fund provides contract financing to certified minority businesses through a network of local participating banks and National Minority Supplier Development Council affiliates.
  • Business License Information
    Describes procedure for obtaining a business license with the City of St. Louis, exemptions or special requirements.
  • Business Site Selection
    Site Selection assists businesses in selecting office and industrial buildings and vacant land sites within the City of St. Louis.
  • Center for Emerging Technology
    The Center for Emerging Technologies serves the St. Louis Metropolitan Region and the State of Missouri by working to develop the infrastructure necessary to support technology-driven economic development.
  • Community Partners in Business Development
    Commercial District Managers work with many organizations to facilitate business development in St. Louis.
  • Enhanced Enterprise Zone
    Both the City and State offer tax incentives to businesses investing within certain areas of the City called the Enhanced Enterprise Zone.
  • Grace Hill Women's Business Center
    Grace Hill Women's Business Center provides direct services to minority and women entrepreneurs.
  • Justine Petersen Housing and Reinvestment Corporation
    Find a description of programs, services and contact information for Justine Petersen Housing and Reinvestment Corporation.
  • LDC Commercial Loan
    The St. Louis Local Development Co. (LDC) has the ability to provide direct, low interest, subordinated loans for working capital, equipment purchase, land and building acquisition, and construction or leasehold improvements.
  • Missouri Linked Deposit Program
    Missouri Linked Deposit Program is a state administered program that invests in approved banks that ultimately result in reduced interest passed on to Missouri small businesses.
  • Missouri Quality Jobs
    Missouri Department of Economic Development has replaced this program with the Missouri Works Program.
  • Missouri Small Business Development Center
    Missouri Small Business Development Center delivers up-to-date counseling, training and technical assistance in all aspects of small business management.
  • Missouri Works Program
    Missouri Department of Economic Development-administered tax incentive program designed to facilitate the creation of quality jobs. Some business types are excluded.
  • Neighborhood Business Development Staff
    Staff Directory for Neighborhood Business Development
  • Neighborhood Commercial District Improvement Program (NCDI)
    The NCDI program works to stabilize and revitalize commercial business districts and assists small businesses that serves these neighborhoods.
  • Real Estate Tax Abatement
    Tax abatement for real estate development in the City of St. Louis.
  • Rebuilding Communities
    Rebuilding Communities Tax Act provided State tax incentives for eligible businesses which relocate or invest in a designated 'Rebuilding Community.' This program has been replaced with Missouri Works.
  • Rent a Stand at Soulard Market
    Learn how to apply for and the procedure for renting a stand at Soulard Market.
  • Resources for Missouri, Inc.
    Resources for Missouri, Inc. is an intermediary lender for the SBA's Micro Loan Program available to entrepreneurs operating existing or start-up businesses that have not been able to obtain traditional financing.
  • SBA 504 Loan Program
    SBA 504 loans are geared toward healthy, expanding for-profit businesses seeking long term, low down-payment financing for major fixed assets. It cannot be used for working capital or inventory.
  • SBA 7(a) Loan Guaranty Program
    SBA 7(a) Loan Guaranty Program enables lenders to provide financing to small businesses when funding is otherwise unavailable on reasonable terms.
  • Small Loan Advantage Initiative
    SBA's Small Loan Advantage Initiative (SLA) lending is available to entrepreneurs that meet the normal requirements for an SBA business loan guaranty and have an average, or better, credit score and financing needs of $350,000, or less.
  • St. Louis Business Development Fund
    The St. Louis Business Development Fund is a risk lending pool for projects considered too risky for conventional financing. There is no company size or industry limit.
  • St. Louis City - Small Business Grant Fund
    Read business eligibility and criteria carefully before applying.
  • Urban Enterprise Loan
    Brief description and contact information for Urban Enterprise Loan
  • Vendor Survey 2017 & Survey Results
    Initial baseline Vendor Survey 2017 and the Survey Results

Departments and Agencies

  • Business Assistance Center
    BAC facilitates the licensing and permitting of businesses in the City of St. Louis and acts as the ombudsman for the City business community.

Downloadable Forms

St. Louis Small Business Financing Guidelines

  • US Department of Labor Payroll Form
    Payrolls are required for Davis Bacon Projects.

External Resources

St. Louis Small Business Financing Guideline

  • Missouri Business Portal
    Provides assistance with starting a business, growing a business, incentives, financing, and workforce training.
  • St. Louis Small Business Monthly
    St. Louis Small Business Monthly is a monthly publication for small business owners
  • U.S. Small Business Administration St. Louis Office
    The U.S. Small Business Administration provides loans, loan guarantees, contracts, counseling sessions and other forms of assistance to small businesses.

St Louis Small Business Loans

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