Government program information is publicly available. Grant opportunities are posted on Grants.gov. Tax credit rules are in the Internal Revenue Code. State programs are described on agency websites. So why would anyone pay for a service that organizes this information? It is a fair question.
The Information Is Free. The Research Is Not.
The raw information is public, but the research process has real costs:
- Scope: There are 150+ distinct programs across federal, state, and local levels relevant to Texas businesses. Finding all of them requires searching dozens of agency websites.
- Matching: Each program has specific eligibility criteria. Determining whether your business qualifies requires reading program rules and comparing them to your situation.
- Currency: Programs open, close, and change. Information from last year may be outdated.
- Completeness: Many business owners do not know what they do not know. Tax credits, procurement certifications, and workforce programs are frequently overlooked.
Free Alternatives
Several free services provide similar assistance:
- SBDCs: Free business advising including program identification. Find your SBDC.
- SCORE: Free mentoring that may include program guidance. Find SCORE.
- Self-research: Grants.gov, agency websites, and IRS publications are all free.
These are good options, and we encourage business owners to use them. The trade-off is time and comprehensiveness — free advising sessions typically cover one or two topics per session, not a comprehensive program match across 150+ programs.
When a Screening Tool Adds Value
- Time value: A systematic check against a curated database takes under 60 seconds, versus hours of manual research across dozens of agency sites.
- Completeness: A systematic check against a curated database may surface programs you would not find through general research.
- Confidence: Knowing you have been checked against the full landscape provides confidence that you are not missing opportunities.
Our Approach
Our screening report is free. Enter your business details and we check your eligibility against 150+ verified government programs. No cost, no upsells, no hidden fees.