Starting and growing a successful business is very challenging. Good thing, we have these 14 organizations to help you launch and transform your business towards success!
SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION
The Small Business Administration (SBA) is the very first place everyone turns to when considering working with the government. In fact, the SBA is the government arm for helping small businesses in the United States.
With this in mind, if you are a small business, then you can take advantage of these information and services:
- A business guide on how to plan, launch, manage, and grow your business;
- Information about different funding programs to take advantage, including loans, investment capitals, disaster assistance, security bonds, and grants;
- A list of the various programs for small businesses and how they work with additional information on the eligibility criteria and requirements on becoming certified;
- A federal contracting guide for businesses that wants to provide various products and services to the government;
- A free online learning center designed to educate you in every step of your journey;
- Information on where to get local assistance; and
- Other resources about anything related to small business.
MINORITY BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT AGENCY
The Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) is governed by the Department of Commerce to promote the growth of a strong minority-owned business sector, which is now being considered as an essential element of successful international trade.
Through the numerous business centers located across the United States, the MBDA provides the following services: global business development, access to capital and financial management, access to contracts, access to markets, technical assistance, and strategic business consulting.
Apart from that, they host a national small business conference where hundreds of federal agencies attend to share how to do business with their organization. This may be the best-funded organization on this list that mainly focuses on the federal marketplace.
MINORITY BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY CENTER
The Minority Business Opportunity Centers (MBOC) is an initiative of the Minority Business Development Agency which coordinates federal, state, and municipal resources for minority-owned businesses.
This organization provides useful services to help minority business owners access all available resources to maximize opportunities.
Their services vary from state to state, but it includes the following:
- Procurement assistance to help acquire more business;
- Consultation of business practices to ensure a lean and competitive business;
- Guidance through a variety of projects, including web design, database development, and more;
- Mentorship opportunities and advisory councils to help connect new businesses with experienced business owners;
- Training and education to enhance expertise; and many more.
To find the service center nearest to you and learn about the services they offer, simply Google “[your state] + Minority Business Opportunity Center.”
MINORITY BUSINESS ENTERPRISE CENTERS
The Minority Business Enterprise Centers (MBEC) is another initiative operated by the Minority Business Development Agency.
There are 5 MBEC regions around the country– the West, Midwest, North/Central, Northeast, and Southeast– that continue to serve minority-owned businesses by helping them start and grow competitive organizations.
Their services vary from center to center, but generally include the following:
- Consulting on business assessments and process improvement (including ISO certifications);
- Providing education on various management, technical, and financial topics;
- Initiating partnerships with other businesses to help build bridges and extend opportunities; and
- Assisting with access to capital and markets to help minority-owned businesses expand and fund their expansion.
The MBDA itself provides further training onsite. Visit MBDA for more information and to find which of the 5 MBEC centers serve your area.
NATIONAL MINORITY SUPPLIER DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL
The National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC) helps minority-owned businesses to acquire procurement contracts with corporations around the country by acting as a direct link between minority-owned businesses and the corporations that need services.
Their services include:
- Certification of minority-owned businesses to ensure that all of them are treated equitably;
- Provide direct access to a database of 3,500 corporations that are actively seeking products and services from minority-owned businesses on a competitive basis; and
- Connects with the community through its 37 offices around the country, as well as its conferences and trade shows.
Apart from that, they also have additional services, depending on the location, which includes: access to loans, networking events, workshops, seminars, and training.
If you want to find an office near you and know more about this organization’s services, just visit the NMSDC’s website.
CENTER FOR VETERANS ENTERPRISE
The Center for Veterans Enterprise (VetBiz or CVE) is an initiative by the Department of Veterans Affairs through its mandate to help veterans start and grow their own businesses.
Their services include:
- The National Veteran Small Business Conference and Expo which teaches veteran business owners how to build and market their businessws and attain procurement contracts;
- Mentorship and protégé program so veteran-owned businesses can get the council they need;
- Procurement assistance and opportunities for veteran-owned businesses that wish to supply products and services to the government;
- “Patriot Express” loans (in partnership with the Small Business Administration); and
- Additional services in partnership with the Small Business Administration for veterans.
For more information and to see what services are relevant for you, visit their website here.
ASSOCIATION OF PROCUREMENT TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE CENTERS
The Association of Procurement Technical Assistance Centers (APTAC) provides a network that allows businesses to receive local and in-person council and services from different Procurement Technical Assistance Centers (PTAC) across the country.
PTACs are designed to provide technical assistance to businesses that want to sell their products and services to the local, state, and federal government.
They have 94 offices around the country with 500 procurement professionals to assist small businesses in this complex process.
Their services include:
- Exclusive membership that allows full access to services;
- Procurement assistance and guidance to help business owners find and bid effectively;
- Numerous procurement training seminars and workshops to help business owners thrive in the process;
- Matchmaking and networking events for connecting business owners with contacts; and
- Assistance throughout the proposal preparation process, the contract delivery phase, and the contract audit phase.
For more information about PTAC’s services and to find a center near you, visit them here.
SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CENTERS
The Small Business Development Centers (SBDC) regard themselves as the “most comprehensive small business assistance network in the United States and its territories.”
The organization aims to assist entrepreneurs through their nearly 1,000 local centers that provide low-cost training and free consulting.
Their training topics include: writing business plans, marketing, technology development, international trade, accessing capital, and regulatory compliance.
To locate a local SBDC, interested parties can just visit their website and click on their “Find your SBDC” button.
ASSOCIATION OF WOMEN’S BUSINESS CENTERS
The Association of Women’s Business Centers (AWBC) was created for women across the US who want to start and those that are facing obstacles in managing their businesses.
With this, women entrepreneurs can just visit their site for training, support, assistance, and relevant information that can help to overcome those issues.
Aside from that, you can also check their organization to learn more about membership and how to get involved in their upcoming events, conferences, and other programs.
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF SMALL BUSINESS CONTRACTORS
The National Association of Small Business Contractors (NASBC) is the Supplier Council of The American Small Business Chamber of Commerce. They claim to be the nation’s leading trade association representing American small business contractors.
Just browsing through the site, you will find business matches, agency network connections, workshops, events, meetings, and courses.
Through their Network Navigator, they also connect you to the National Veteran Business Council and Economic Development Centers in regional areas around the United States.
Apart from that, they regularly publish important information and reports regarding the status and insights of small business suppliers and advocates in the government marketplace.
NATIVE AMERICAN CONTRACTORS ASSOCIATION
The Native American Contractors Association (NACA) promotes common federal contracting interests of tribal-owned corporations, Native Hawaiian Organizations, and Alaska Native Corporations.
NACA promotes the benefits of using some of the nearly 240,000 native-owned firms in the federal marketplace in order to fund important programs designed to support and safeguard the traditions of the Native communities across the country.
If you qualify for one of these groups, the SBA 8a BD program has many advantages for Native 8a firms over and above the normal 8a BD program member participants.
Just visit their website, so you can join the organization, learn about their advocacies, and take advantage of everything they offer.
SOCIETY OF AMERICAN MILITARY ENGINEERS
Founded in 1902, the Society of American Military Engineers (SAME) serves as the leading association for military engineers in the United States.
Their goal is to “lead collaborative efforts to identify and resolve national security infrastructure-related challenges.”
While established by engineers, the organization has grown to include over 30,000 interdisciplinary members that are committed to maintaining and protecting national security.
These include organizations and people in the fields of architecture, engineering, construction, cyber security, contracting and acquisition, project planning, environmental and facility management, and other related disciplines supporting national security.
In becoming part of the organization, you can take advantage of opportunities including education and professional development, training, workshops, networking events, webinars, publications, and other member-driven programs.
SKUNKWORKS FOR COMPETITIVE INTELLIGENCE INNOVATION IN FEDERAL CONTRACTING
The Skunkworks for Competitive Intelligence Innovation in Federal Contracting (SCIIF) aims to empower the growth of individuals, communities, and companies towards government contracting.
SCIIF provides education and professional development and credential programs acquired by different experts and thought-leaders from the contracting and acquisition communities.
The organization also hosts intelligence boot camps, business mixers, and educational events around the country.
As a member, you will have access to their proprietary GovCon Help Desk and the A-Team that will answer any question about winning government contracts.
NATIONAL CENTER FOR AMERICAN INDIAN ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT
The National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development (NCAIED) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that has been assisting American Indian Tribes in terms of business and economic development for over 40 years.
Their mission is to increase the number of Indian businesses and positively impact and involve reservation communities by establishing business relationships between the private industry and Indian enterprises.
To help Indian communities and enterprises, they aim to provide these:
- Serve as a training and resource center for native entrepreneurs;
- Supply management and technical assistance to tribal and individually-owned Indian businesses;
- Produce conferences, trade fairs, and fundraising events; and
- Advocate for American Indian and Alaskan Native business development.
For more information about this organization, you can visit their website.
“The most important thing was that we want to take people that matter, to places that matter…I think that means the world to me. When I see people that we’ve been trying to grow, grow and go to places.”
