Here is a list of resources for small businesses owned by women, minorities, veterans, and disabled individuals:
Small Business Administration (SBA)
- https://www.sba.gov/
- The Small Business Administration (SBA) is a federal agency that provides loans, grants, and other resources to small businesses. The SBA has a number of programs specifically for women, minorities, veterans, and disabled individuals.
Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC)
- https://www.wbenc.org/
- WBENC-certified businesses are eligible for a number of government contracts and other business opportunities.
National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC)
- https://nmsdc.org/
- The NMSDC is a membership organization that connects minority-owned businesses with corporate buyers. They offer certification, networking opportunities, and other resources.
Veterans Business Development Corporation (VBDC)
- https://www.veteransbusinessdevelopmentcouncil.org/
- VBDC is a nonprofit organization that provides loans, grants, and other resources to veteran-owned businesses.
National Organization on Disability (NOD)
- https://www.nod.org/
- NOD is a nonprofit organization that advocates for the rights of people with disabilities. NOD has a number of resources for small businesses owned by people with disabilities.
Grants.gov
- https://www.grants.gov/
- Grants.gov is a database of federal grants available to businesses, nonprofits, and individuals. You can search for grants based on your business type, industry, and location.
Foundation Center
- https://candid.org/
- The Foundation Center is a nonprofit organization that provides information about foundations that make grants to small businesses.
Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR)
- https://www.sbir.gov/
- SBIR is a program that provides grants to small businesses to develop new technologies.
Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR)
- https://www.sbir.gov/about/about-sttr
- STTR is a program that provides grants to small businesses to partner with universities and other research institutions to develop new technologies.
SCORE
- https://www.score.org/
- SCORE is a nonprofit organization that provides free business mentoring services to small business owners. They also offer workshops, webinars, and other educational resources.
Women’s Business Centers (WBCs)
- https://www.sba.gov/business-guide/grow/womens-business-centers
- Women’s Business Centers (WBCs): The SBA has a network of Women’s Business Centers across the country that provide training, counseling, and resources specifically for women entrepreneurs.
Minority Business Development Centers (MBDCs)
- https://www.mbda.gov/
- MBDCs are small business development centers that specifically provide resources to minority entrepreneurs.
Veteran Business Development Centers (VBDCs)
- https://www.sba.gov/content/veteran-business-development-centers
- VBDCs are small business development centers that specifically provide resources to veteran entrepreneurs.
Disability Business Development Centers (DBDCs)
- https://www.sba.gov/business-guide/grow/disability-owned-businesses/business-development-centers
- DBDCs are small business development centers that specifically provide resources to entrepreneurs with disabilities.
National Association of Veterans’ Business Owners (NAVBO)
- https://www.navbo.org/
- NAVBO is a membership organization that provides resources and support to veteran-owned businesses. They offer education, networking opportunities, and advocacy on behalf of veteran entrepreneurs.
AngelList
- https://angel.co/
- AngelList is a platform that connects startups with investors. You can create a profile for your business and pitch to investors, or browse investor profiles to find potential partners.
Crowdfunding platforms
- Crowdfunding platforms like Kickstarter and Indiegogo allow you to raise money for your business from a large group of people. You can offer rewards or equity in your company in exchange for funding.
- (Kickstarter): https://www.kickstarter.com/
- (Indiegogo): https://www.indiegogo.com/
Local business associations and chambers of commerce
- Your local business association or chamber of commerce can be a valuable resource for networking, advocacy, and community support. They may also offer educational programs or other resources for small business owners.
Association for Enterprise Opportunity (AEO)
- https://aeoworks.org/
- AEO is a national organization that provides microenterprise development services to underserved entrepreneurs, including women, minorities, veterans, and people with disabilities. Their website includes a directory of microenterprise organizations across the country.
National Women’s Business Council (NWBC)
- https://www.nwbc.gov/
- NWBC is a federal advisory council that provides policy recommendations to the president, Congress, and the SBA on issues related to women-owned businesses. Their website includes research reports, webinars, and other resources for women entrepreneurs.
Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA)
- https://www.mbda.gov/
- MBDA is a federal agency that promotes the growth and global competitiveness of minority-owned businesses. They offer technical assistance, business development resources, and access to capital.
Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business Concern (SDVOSBC) program
- https://www.va.gov/osdbu/verification/sdvosb/
- The SDVOSBC program is a federal contracting program that sets aside a certain percentage of government contracts for small businesses owned by service-disabled veterans. The program is administered by the SBA and the VA.
Disabled Businesspersons Association (DBA)
- https://www.disabledbusiness.org/
- DBA is a nonprofit organization that provides support, resources, and advocacy for entrepreneurs with disabilities. Their website includes a directory of disability-owned businesses and information about disability-friendly workplace policies.
National Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC)
- https://www.nglcc.org/
- NGLCC is a membership organization that advocates for LGBT-owned businesses and provides networking opportunities, certification, and access to capital.
Association for Women’s Business Centers (AWBC)
- https://awbc.org/
- AWBC is a national organization that supports a network of Women’s Business Centers across the country. Their website includes a directory of Women’s Business Centers and information about training, counseling, and resources for women entrepreneurs.
National Veteran-Owned Business Association (NaVOBA)
- https://www.navoba.org/
- NaVOBA is a membership organization that advocates for veteran-owned businesses and provides certification, networking opportunities, and resources.
Disability:IN
- https://disabilityin.org/
- Disability:IN is a nonprofit organization that advocates for the inclusion of people with disabilities in the workplace and provides resources and support for disability-owned businesses. Their website includes a directory of disability-owned businesses and information about disability-inclusive workplace policies.
National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO)
- https://www.nawbo.org/
- NAWBO is a membership organization that advocates for women-owned businesses and provides networking opportunities, education, and advocacy on policy issues.
The National Women’s Business Council (NWBC)
- https://www.nwbc.gov/
- The National Women’s Business Council (NWBC) is a non-partisan federal advisory council that provides policy recommendations to the President, Congress, and the U.S. Small Business Administration on issues related to women-owned businesses. The NWBC conducts research, hosts roundtables and public meetings, and engages with stakeholders to identify and address the challenges faced by women entrepreneurs. They also offer resources and information on funding, mentorship, and networking opportunities.
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