Marshall Brain's Blog

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If you are thinking about starting a business...

Programs to help budding entrepreneurs abound. The problem is, few people who are trying to start companies know anything about those programs or how to contact them

From the article:

In Wisconsin, a state of about 5 million people, approximately 400 programs provide more than 700 distinct types of service for entrepreneurs. New Mexico, a state of 1.5 million, is reputed to have 150 separate programs. The widely known federally sponsored programs -- such as small-business development centers and Small Business Administration loan-guarantee programs -- are included in such counts, but many programs are privately sponsored or managed by state or local governments. The question is, who knows about them? With so many people interested in starting companies in the United States today, and with such an ample supply of programs, one might expect a flourishing, efficient match of clients with programs. The number of programs is flourishing, perhaps, but evidence of efficient matching is scant.

It's a very interesting article. If you are thinking about starting a business, it is probably worth investigating.