It's a rare business that can't use an infusion of capital, either to get it going in the first place, or to expand.  While we don't know anything about "free money" (is there really any of that out there?), we can help you with loans and investors. 

 One important tip is that it is common for entrepreneurs to obtain capital from multiple sources.  In many cases, there is one primary source (60-80%) with the other sources providing "gap financing".

OzSBI can help you gain access to capital in several ways:

• Family and Friends are a common source of capital for most entrepreneurs.  We can help you prepare your presentation to them.
• Bank Loans - Like other lenders, banks want to see a plan of how you can expect to pay back your loan.  We can help you prepare your business plan.  We can also help you with the loan applications.
• OzSBI Micro-Loans - OzSBI has been granted a pool of money with which to make loans of up to $10,000.  This can be used as a secondary loan ("gap financing") to supplement a bank loan or other capital.  While OzSBI reviews each loan application carefully, we are less stringent in our requirements than are banks.  Micro-loans are available only to active OzSBI Clients.
• SCOCOG Loans - SCOCOG is a non-profit partner to OzSBI and is able to offer loans of up to $25,000.  While it is not required that you be an OzSBI client to qualify for a SCOCOG loan, we recommend that you work with us to prepare your business plan first.
• Investors - OzSBI hopes to eventually develop a local investor network in which OzSBI Clients will be able to present their business plans for possible investment.  In the meantime, we can help you develop your presentation to investors that you want to approach privately.
• Government Money - If you have a product or service that the government (local, state, or federal) may be interested in purchasing, you should talk to the MO-PTAC business representative from the University of Missouri Extension in West Plains.  Please note that this is not a source of start-up capital - the government is like any other customer that wants to pay a month or so after they receive your invoice.