About Us
The Business Gateway to the Government
Business.gov, the official business link to the U.S. Government, is managed as a partnership among 22 Federal government agenices. This partnership, known as Business Gateway, is a Presidential E-government initiative that helps small businesses comply with government regulations, and discover government programs that help them start and manage their operations.
Helping Businesses Comply with Regulations
In 2003, businesses and citizens spent approximately 8.2 billion hours and $320 billion filling out paperwork and complying with government regulations, according to a report by the Small Business Paperwork Relief Task Force. Users spent much of this time navigating complex government hierarchies and wading through millions of documents meant to help their businesses become compliant with laws and regulations.
Business.gov helps businesses save time and money spent on regulatory compliance by providing quick and easy access to business laws, government regulations, forms and agency contacts.
Awards and Recognition
Business.gov has received several awards for its service to the nation's small businesses, and has been widely recognized by industry groups for its unique services.
Features and Tools
Business Search Engine
Business.gov offers a unique business search engine that quickly and easily finds information from federal, state and local government web sites. You no longer need to visit multiple government websites to find information you need.
Permit Me : Finding Licenses and Permits
Our Permit Me tool allows you get a listing of federal, state and local business licenses and permits you'll need to operate your business.
Loans and Grants Search Tool
From businesses in rural communities to hi-tech Silicon Valley start-ups, from women-owned enterprises to those affected by hurricanes, Business.gov provides a wealth of information on financial programs to help business get started or expand their operations. Small business owners no longer have to navigate multiple federal, state and local government websites to find financing programs that apply to them. Answer a short a survey about your business, and the Loans and Grants Search Tool will provide a list of programs for which you may qualify with links to eligibility and application information.
State and Local Guides
Through its State and Local Guides, Business.gov provides access to over 9,000 official U.S. city government resources in addition to business information from all 50 states and territories. These state guides include information on complying with state and local regulations, and programs for starting and managing a business.
Small Business Resource Guides
Business.gov Small Business Guides provide easy access to resources and programs that help small business owners understand legal steps to starting and operating their businesses. In addition, these guides provide information on government programs that help small businesses expand their operations into federal and state government contract and exporting to overseas markets.
Content Partnerships
Business Gateway Content Partnership Program works with industry, trade associations and other government agencies to provide authoritative information that helps small business comply with government regulations. If your business, organization or agency produces guidance that helps small businesses comply with federal, state and/or local regulations, consider becoming a Business Gateway partner by contributing your authoritative content, and helping the nation's small businesses grow and succeed.
Business Gateway Program Information
- Program Management - Resources for partner agencies.
- Contributing Partners - List of regulatory and other contributing agencies.