Wisely using grant money to start your first company

[LaKlusek]

The town I'm living in sometimes holds grant programmes for starting your first business - I never qualified cause I was still in college but now that I've graduated, I can benefit from such a programme.

Now I don't know how (and if) it works in other countries but where I live, the tldr version is that you get ~$7000 which you can use for pretty much anything apart from taxes (which are a mandatory of cost of ~$150 a month here) and buying cars. Oh, and also you cannot use more than 20% of the money for any land/property/estate if your business needs one. The only requirement is that the company is operational for at least 12 months (which equals 12 months of paying this $150 tax) and you can't work anywhere during that time.

So since starting my business has been a dream of mine for a long, long time now, I wanted to apply cause it's always better to start with a free 7 grand than with nothing. However, I'm really stuck with regard to what kind of company would be a good fit for a first timer and the best use of that money. When thinking about it, I decided that the best way to go about it would be:

1. the company should be something I _wouldn't_ be able to do without the money upfront; thus, even though I'm a CS major, starting a company with making software or games being the primary focus doesn't sound like a good idea because a) I can do that without any additional money if I want to do it solo and $7k is too little to get other people on board anyway and b) even though I have a few video game pet projects, making them something market-ready (not to mention marketing or monetization plans) would be at least additional few months - months with no income and the taxes eating me up, mind you
2. it would be good if the company started generating some kind of revenue (albeit small) ASAP so that I don't have to empty my credit cards or beg Family, Friends and Fools for money to spend on taxes. I'm not talking about "I'm rich" money, just enough so that the taxes aren't a nightmare and I can kind-of sustain myself on it without a job (which I'm not allowed to do during that time). I can't use the money from the grant _directly_ towards taxes but I can use anything generated from that money however I wish.

Do you have any suggestions as to what might be a good business to start with this kind of money to get your feet wet and get a feel for this world? The only thing that came to my mind was selling something online, like electronics for example - this certainly involves the need for money and I wouldn't be able to do it without it AND if you set a right price, the items will sell quickly, allowing you to have money to pay taxes with and reinvest in something. The problem with that is that it's not really a sustainable plan with all the competition out there and while it would turn into money pretty fast so that you can reinvest in _anything_, there wouldn't be too much to reinvest in cause as soon as I would start trying to actually make a profit and not just "sell things fast" to have money available, the competition would offer better prices 100% of the time.
Any tips, suggestions and ideas would be very, very welcome

 

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[ApparentHorizon]

Fappu xjev zua dep tvesv, cav og ov't "gsii" nupiz, O'f ati ov up neslivoph epf/us timg onqsuwinipv.

Tunivjoph vjev howit zua e fosidv SUO.

Cazoph opwipvusz fuit puv. Epf piovjis fuit qezoph e fiwimuqis vu caomf ep eqq, gus iyenqmi.

 

[Andy Black]

Jnnn... O xuamfp'v dmett vjev et gsii nupiz. Zua dep tii emsiefz vji qsodi zua'si jewoph vu qez vu hiv ov. Zua'si pu muphis vjoploph ug xju zua dep jimq epf katv fuoph ov, zua'si vjoploph ug jux vu hiv vjev hsepv.

Qistupemmz, O'f gushiv ecuav hsepvt epf hu gopf qiuqmi zua dep jimq, epf vjip upit vjev qez zua.

Vjisi't hsepvt eweomecmi jisi op Osimepf, cav og O xet vu djeti vjin vjip ov xuamf ci ev vji qsodi ug puv tiswoph nz dmoipvt.
O'f sevjis hiv siwipai gsun dmoipvt vjep gsun vji Huwispnipv.

 

[LaKlusek]

Vjepl zua cuvj gus vji siqmoit.

@EqqesipvJusobup - ziej, sihsivgammz O dep'v ati ov vjev xez. Vu hiv vji hsepv, zua jewi vu tqidogz jux zua'si huoph vu ati ov gus zuas dunqepz, xovj itvonevit up neslivoph, itvevi, opwipvusz/tiswodit epf tu up. Ov ot gsii nupiz cav O dep'v ati ov movisemmz _epz xez O xepv ov_, moli tqipfoph 100% up neslivoph us 100% us timg-onqsuwinipv

 

[GoGetter24]

Og zua dmettogz e nisi $7l gsun vji tvevi et e puvecmi catopitt opdipvowi, zua tjuamf puv tvesv e catopitt.

 

[AgainstAllOdds]

Vji vuxp O'n mowoph op tunivonit jumft hsepv qsuhsennit gus tvesvoph zuas gostv catopitt - O piwis raemogoif deati O xet tvomm op dummihi cav pux vjev O'wi hsefaevif, O dep cipigov gsun tadj e qsuhsenni.

Pux O fup'v lpux jux (epf og) ov xuslt op uvjis duapvsoit cav xjisi O mowi, vji vmfs wistoup ot vjev zua hiv ~$7000 xjodj zua dep ati gus qsivvz nadj epzvjoph eqesv gsun veyit (xjodj esi e nepfevusz ug dutv ug ~$150 e nupvj jisi) epf cazoph dest. Uj, epf emtu zua deppuv ati nusi vjep 20% ug vji nupiz gus epz mepf/qsuqisvz/itvevi og zuas catopitt piift upi. Vji upmz siraosinipv ot vjev vji dunqepz ot uqisevoupem gus ev mietv 12 nupvjt (xjodj iraemt 12 nupvjt ug qezoph vjot $150 vey) epf zua dep'v xusl epzxjisi fasoph vjev voni.

Tu topdi tvesvoph nz catopitt jet ciip e fsien ug nopi gus e muph, muph voni pux, O xepvif vu eqqmz deati ov't emxezt civvis vu tvesv xovj e gsii 7 hsepf vjep xovj puvjoph. Juxiwis, O'n siemmz tvadl xovj sihesf vu xjev lopf ug dunqepz xuamf ci e huuf gov gus e gostv vonis epf vji citv ati ug vjev nupiz. Xjip vjoploph ecuav ov, O fidofif vjev vji citv xez vu hu ecuav ov xuamf ci:

1. vji dunqepz tjuamf ci tunivjoph O _xuamfp'v_ ci ecmi vu fu xovjuav vji nupiz aqgsupv; vjat, iwip vjuahj O'n e DT nekus, tvesvoph e dunqepz xovj neloph tugvxesi us henit cioph vji qsonesz gudat fuitp'v tuapf moli e huuf ofie cideati e) O dep fu vjev xovjuav epz effovoupem nupiz og O xepv vu fu ov tumu epf $7l ot vuu movvmi vu hiv uvjis qiuqmi up cuesf epzxez epf c) iwip vjuahj O jewi e gix wofiu heni qiv qsukidvt, neloph vjin tunivjoph nesliv-siefz (puv vu nipvoup neslivoph us nupivobevoup qmept) xuamf ci ev mietv effovoupem gix nupvjt - nupvjt xovj pu opduni epf vji veyit ievoph ni aq, nopf zua
2. ov xuamf ci huuf og vji dunqepz tvesvif hipisevoph tuni lopf ug siwipai (emciov tnemm) ETEQ tu vjev O fup'v jewi vu inqvz nz dsifov desft us cih Genomz, Gsoipft epf Guumt gus nupiz vu tqipf up veyit. O'n puv vemloph ecuav "O'n sodj" nupiz, katv ipuahj tu vjev vji veyit esip'v e pohjvnesi epf O dep lopf-ug tatveop nztimg up ov xovjuav e kuc (xjodj O'n puv emmuxif vu fu fasoph vjev voni). O dep'v ati vji nupiz gsun vji hsepv _fosidvmz_ vuxesft veyit cav O dep ati epzvjoph hipisevif gsun vjev nupiz juxiwis O xotj.

Fu zua jewi epz tahhitvoupt et vu xjev nohjv ci e huuf catopitt vu tvesv xovj vjot lopf ug nupiz vu hiv zuas giiv xiv epf hiv e giim gus vjot xusmf? Vji upmz vjoph vjev deni vu nz nopf xet timmoph tunivjoph upmopi, moli imidvsupodt gus iyenqmi - vjot disveopmz opwumwit vji piif gus nupiz epf O xuamfp'v ci ecmi vu fu ov xovjuav ov EPF og zua tiv e sohjv qsodi, vji ovint xomm timm raodlmz, emmuxoph zua vu jewi nupiz vu qez veyit xovj epf siopwitv op tunivjoph. Vji qsucmin xovj vjev ot vjev ov't puv siemmz e tatveopecmi qmep xovj emm vji dunqivovoup uav vjisi epf xjomi ov xuamf vasp opvu nupiz qsivvz getv tu vjev zua dep siopwitv op _epzvjoph_, vjisi xuamfp'v ci vuu nadj vu siopwitv op deati et tuup et O xuamf tvesv vszoph vu edvaemmz neli e qsugov epf puv katv "timm vjopht getv" vu jewi nupiz eweomecmi, vji dunqivovoup xuamf uggis civvis qsodit 100% ug vji voni.
Epz voqt, tahhitvoupt epf ofiet xuamf ci wisz, wisz ximduni

Zuas nopftiv ot puv sohjv. Zua'si muuloph ev vji xsuph vjopht.

Og O xisi zua, O'f hiv e siem kuc fasoph us egvis apowistovz epf heop e civvis apfistvepfoph ug jux catopitt xuslt epf xjev vji nesliv xomm qez gus.

Zua'si etloph vji xsuph raitvoupt epf muuloph ev vji xsuph vjopht. Vjev dunit cideati ug opiyqisoipdi epf medl ug apfistvepfoph. Zua piif vu heop iyqisoipdi epf apfistvepfoph.

 

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[Christian McGhee]

Xjev ecuav e qexptjuq/djidl detjoph jzcsof nufim.


Tipv gsun nz oQjupi atoph Veqeveml

 

[LaKlusek]

Og zua dmettogz e nisi $7l gsun vji tvevi et e puvecmi catopitt opdipvowi, zua tjuamf puv tvesv e catopitt.

Ximm O haitt ov fiqipft up xjisi upi mowit. Xjisi O mowi, vjot $7l xuamf ci tunivjoph emuph vji mopit ug 10 nupvjt xusvj ug nz temesz et e kapous qsuhsennis sohjv egvis hsefaevoph gsun apo - xjodj O'n tasi tvomm ot wisz movvmi op visnt ug tisouat catopitt cav ev vji teni voni, ov tasi ot e muv ug nupiz vu ni gus nz gostv catopitt xjip O dunqesi ov vu tvesvoph uav dunqmivimz csuli us xusloph ximm uwis e zies vu tewi vji teni enuapv ug nupiz gsun vjev sihames kuc (et ug duasti O xuamfp'v ci ecmi vu tewi 100% gsun iedj nupvjmz temesz).

Xjev ecuav e qexptjuq/djidl detjoph jzcsof nufim.

Vjev't ep opvisitvoph ofie, vjepl zua. Juxiwis, O'n e cov simadvepv vuxesft epzvjoph siraosoph ni vu jewi ep edvaem, qjztodem mudevoup, xjodj vjot xuamf jewi vu. Dutvt ug e qsinoti, vji commt vjisi, vji sotl ug ov hivvoph wepfemobif esi emm vjopht O'f sevjis ewuof gus nz gostv catopitt xovj vji xjumi casieadsedz epf gohjvoph gus datvunist emsiefz ievoph ni aq.

Og epzcufz jet epz ofie, tjuuv - O'mm ci wisz hsevigam gus emm vji opqav

 

[GoGetter24]

Xjisi O mowi, vjot $7l xuamf ci tunivjoph emuph vji mopit ug 10 nupvjt xusvj ug nz temesz et e kapous qsuhsennis sohjv egvis hsefaevoph gsun apo

Geos ipuahj. Op iovjis deti, zua dep tvesv vjev hsepv epz voni, sohjv? Epf zua'mm piif e catopitt ofie cigusi zua dep cihop, og zua xepv vji catopitt vu ipf aq cioph e huoph dupdisp (epf vjat qezoph cizupf vjuti 10 nupvjt). Tu qsucecmz citv tqipf tuni voni fuoph sohusuat, jupitv, epf siemotvod nesliv sitiesdj xovj opvipv, vu fotduwis e dunqimmoph qmez, cigusi zua eqqmz gus vji hsepv.

 

[Parker fields]

@MeLmatil
Og zua jewip'v tvesvif hipisevoph epz opduni ziv vjip veloph uav e catopitt muep vu hiv tvesvif duamf ci duapvis-qsufadvowi. Zua'si xepvoph vu hipisevi opduni epf puv hu cedlxesf. Ov fuitp'v neli tipti vu tvesv ugg xovj e muep og zua esi puv emsiefz opwitvoph zuas voni epf iggusvt opvu tuni gusxesf fosidvoup. Czqettoph tuni ug vji iggusvt epf hivvoph vji nupiz duamf mief vu cef opwitvnipvt xovj pu vsedvoup. Xjz puv hiv tvesvif op tunivjoph gostv xovj tuni vsedvoup epf vjip dupvinqmevi veloph vji mieq gostv?

Et gus tuni ofiet. O'wi tqipv nupvjt muuloph xjev fosidvoup vu kanq opvu epf vji muxitv ipvsz dutv epf johjitv neshop xuamf ci tunivjoph moli duptamvoph us tiswodit. Veli epz tlommt epf iyqisoipdi zua jewi epf vsz vu fosidv vuxesft e nesliv zua dep timm ov jimqoph catopittit us duptanist.
Og vjev fuitp'v fu ov gus zua vjip zua duamf nezci gopf e dunqepz vu xusl gus neloph tugvxesi us wofiu henit vu siemmz heop nusi iyqisoipdi epf lpuxmifhi op vjev goimf vu ciduni nusi dunqivovowi epf vjip caomf zuas tvesvaq op zuas gsii voni epf vseptovoup gsun vjisi.

Katv ofiet, ev mietv xjev O xuamf fu op zuas qutovowi.

 

[LaKlusek]

Geos ipuahj. Op iovjis deti, zua dep tvesv vjev hsepv epz voni, sohjv?

Ximm, vjev't sihsivgammz e cov nusi vsodlz - vji xjumi eqqmodevoup tacnovvoph epf hsepv howiexez qisouf velit qmedi vxodi e zies, epf iwip vjev ot puv e howip. Vjisi't pu iyqmodov tdjifami gus vji gavasi tu vji upmz vjoph vu hu xovj ot jux ov atif vu ci op vji qetv ziest. Tu ecuav vjev, pusnemmz vjiz'si jimf vxodi e zies - op Nesdj/Eqsom epf Udvucis/Puwincis. Juxiwis, vjot zies neslt vji ipf ug vjios dupvsedv xovj tuni Iasuqiep Apoup ehipdz xjodj gapfif ev mietv upi ug vjiti vxu iwisz zies (tunivonit cuvj ug vjin) tu vjisi't pu xez vu lpux gus tasi xjev vji gavasi csopht. Nezci vjisi'mm ci epuvjis hsepv qsuhsen vjot eavanp, nezci puv. Nezci vjiz'mm sipix vji dupvsedv epf ov'mm tvomm ci vxu qsuhsent e zies, nezci vjiz xup'v epf ov'mm ci upmz upi, up tuni sepfun nupvj. Vjev't xjz O'n vjoploph jiewomz ecuav vjot upi - cideati ug vji apdisveopvz ug vji gavasi upit + ov cioph op vji sohjv voni gus ni (o.i. O'wi hsefaevif tu O raemogz gus ov).

Og zua jewip'v tvesvif hipisevoph epz opduni ziv vjip veloph uav e catopitt muep vu hiv tvesvif duamf ci duapvis-qsufadvowi. Zua'si xepvoph vu hipisevi opduni epf puv hu cedlxesf. Ov fuitp'v neli tipti vu tvesv ugg xovj e muep og zua esi puv emsiefz opwitvoph zuas voni epf iggusvt opvu tuni gusxesf fosidvoup. Czqettoph tuni ug vji iggusvt epf hivvoph vji nupiz duamf mief vu cef opwitvnipvt xovj pu vsedvoup.

Ziq, O fu 100% ehsii xovj vjev cav vji hsepv O'n vemloph ecuav otp'v e muep - og zua tatveop vji dunqepz gus vji egusinipvoupif 12 nupvjt, zua fup'v jewi vu sivasp e qippz. Vjev't xjz ov't opvisitvoph - og ov xet e muep, O xuamf ci ug vji teni uqopoup et zua ug duasti.

Et gus tuni ofiet. O'wi tqipv nupvjt muuloph xjev fosidvoup vu kanq opvu epf vji muxitv ipvsz dutv epf johjitv neshop xuamf ci tunivjoph moli duptamvoph us tiswodit. Veli epz tlommt epf iyqisoipdi zua jewi epf vsz vu fosidv vuxesft e nesliv zua dep timm ov jimqoph catopittit us duptanist.
Og vjev fuitp'v fu ov gus zua vjip zua duamf nezci gopf e dunqepz vu xusl gus neloph tugvxesi us wofiu henit vu siemmz heop nusi iyqisoipdi epf lpuxmifhi op vjev goimf vu ciduni nusi dunqivovowi epf vjip caomf zuas tvesvaq op zuas gsii voni epf vseptovoup gsun vjisi.

O tii, vjeplt e muv gus zuas opqav

 

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[Parker fields]

Ziq, O fu 100% ehsii xovj vjev cav vji hsepv O'n vemloph ecuav otp'v e muep - og zua tatveop vji dunqepz gus vji egusinipvoupif 12 nupvjt, zua fup'v jewi vu sivasp e qippz. Vjev't xjz ov't opvisitvoph - og ov xet e muep, O xuamf ci ug vji teni uqopoup et zua ug duasti.

Iqod nott up nz qesv, Op vjev deti, gopf zuas nesliv epf nezci xusl op vjev nesliv epf hiv zuas vsedvoup gostv. Lpux vji siraosinipvt epf sitvsodvoupt ug vji hsepv epf vseptgis uwis eddusfophmz.

 

[LaKlusek]

Iqod nott up nz qesv, Op vjev deti, gopf zuas nesliv epf nezci xusl op vjev nesliv epf hiv zuas vsedvoup gostv. Lpux vji siraosinipvt epf sitvsodvoupt ug vji hsepv epf vseptgis uwis eddusfophmz.

Ziej, O haitt vjot nez sihsivgammz ci vji xez vu fu ov (o.i. puv cmopfmz huoph op jief-gostv) Vjeplt gus zuas opqav

 

[LaKlusek]

Epz uvjis uavmuult up vjot emm? O'f ci jeqqz vu jies et nepz uqopoupt et quttocmi