U.S. Small Business Administration
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) was created in 1953 as an independent agency of the federal government to aid, counsel, assist and protect the interests of small business concerns, to preserve free competitive enterprise and to maintain and strengthen the overall economy of our nation. We recognize that small business is critical to our economic recovery and strength, to building America's future, and to helping the United States compete in today's global marketplace. Although SBA has grown and evolved in the years since it was established in 1953, the bottom line mission remains the same. The SBA helps Americans start, build and grow businesses. Through an extensive network of field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations, SBA delivers its services to people throughout the United States, Puerto Rico, the U. S. Virgin Islands and Guam. Overview & History Since its founding on July 30, 1953, the U.S. Small Business Administration has delivered millions of loans, loan guarantees, contracts, counseling sessions and other forms of assistance to small businesses. The SBA was officially established in 1953, but its philosophy and mission began to take shape years earlier in a number of predecessor agencies, largely as a response to the pressures of the Great Depression and World War II. The Reconstruction Finance Corporation (RFC), created by President Herbert Hoover in 1932 to alleviate the financial crisis of the Great Depression, was SBA's grandparent. The RFC was basically a federal lending program for all businesses hurt by the Depression, large and small. It was adopted as the personal project of Hoover's successor, President Franklin D. Roosevelt, and was staffed by some of Roosevelt's most capable and dedicated workers. Concern for small business intensified during World War II, when large industries beefed up production to accommodate wartime defense contracts and smaller businesses were left unable to compete. To help small business participate in war production and give them financial viability, Congress created the Smaller War Plants Corporation (SWPC) in 1942. The SWPC provided direct loans to private entrepreneurs, encouraged large financial institutions to make credit available to small enterprises, and advocated small business interests to federal procurement agencies and big businesses. The SWPC was dissolved after the war, and its lending and contract powers were handed over to the RFC. At this time, the Office of Small Business (OSB) in the Department of Commerce also assumed some responsibilities that would later become characteristic duties of the SBA. Its services were primarily educational. Believing that a lack of information and expertise was the main cause of small business failure, the OSB produced brochures and conducted management counseling for individual entrepreneurs. Congress created another wartime organization to handle small business concerns during the Korean War, this time called the Small Defense Plants Administration (SDPA). Its functions were similar to those of the SWPC, except that ultimate lending authority was retained by the RFC. The SDPA certified small businesses to the RFC when it had determined the businesses to be competent to perform the work of government contracts. By 1952, a move was on to abolish the RFC. To continue the important functions of the earlier agencies, President Dwight Eisenhower proposed creation of a new small business agency -- the Small Business Administration (SBA). In the Small Business Act of July 30, 1953, Congress created the Small Business Administration, whose function was to "aid, counsel, assist and protect, insofar as is possible, the interests of small business concerns." The charter also stipulated that the SBA would ensure small businesses a "fair proportion" of government contracts and sales of surplus property. By 1954, SBA already was making direct business loans and guaranteeing bank loans to small businesses, as well as making loans to victims of natural disasters, working to get government procurement contracts for small businesses and helping business owners with management and technical assistance and business training. The Investment Company Act of 1958 established the Small Business Investment Company (SBIC) Program, under which SBA licensed, regulated and helped provide funds for privately owned and operated venture capital investment firms. They specialized in providing long-term debt and equity investments to high-risk small businesses. Its creation was the result of a Federal Reserve study that discovered, in the simplest terms, that small businesses could not get the credit they needed to keep pace with technological advancement. In 1964, SBA began to attack poverty through the Equal Opportunity Loan (EOL) Program. The EOL Program relaxed the credit and collateral requirements for applicants living below the poverty level in an effort to encourage new businesses that had been unable to attract financial backing, but were nevertheless sound commercial initiatives. SBA has grown in terms of total assistance provided and its array of programs tailored to encourage small enterprises in all areas. SBA's programs now include financial and federal contract procurement assistance, management assistance, and specialized outreach to women, minorities and armed forces veterans. The SBA also provides loans to victims of natural disasters and specialized advice and assistance in international trade.
The Florida High Tech Corridor Council (FHTCC) is a regional economic development initiative of the University of Central Florida (UCF), the University of South Florida (USF) and the University of Florida (UF) whose mission is to grow high tech industry and innovation through partnerships that support research, marketing, workforce and entrepreneurship.
Youngstown Business Incubator is a business incubator located in Youngstown, Ohio, established in 1995. The organization specializes in fostering the growth of B2B software application companies, providing essential support services such as telephone, data, and parking facilities. By creating an environment conducive to innovation and development, Youngstown Business Incubator aims to enhance the entrepreneurial landscape in the region and support the success of emerging technology businesses.
For an undergraduate or graduate program in Brookings, South Dakota, South Dakota State University is one school that will cover your needs. In addition to an array of great academic programs, the school also offers a strong campus experience and student services like clubs and organizations, a wellness center, performing arts, a multicultural center, and tutoring. Majors at SDSU include Agricultural & Biosystems Engineering, Animal & Range Sciences, Dairy Science, Journalism, Music, Military Science, Psychology, Teaching, and Electrical Engineering & Computer Science. Distance learning is an option for any student with the desire to learn from anywhere they can access the internet. Career planning services is the perfect place for students and graduates to find internships, volunteer positions, part-time or full-time work, on-campus interviews, resume building, career counseling, and a yearly job fair in order to start your future career. Don’t let financial woes keep you from attending South Dakota State University. The school’s financial aid office can provide information on federal grants, federal loans, work-study, veterans and military benefits, private loans, and scholarships like the freshman academic scholarship or other academic, need, activity, or leadership-based aid. For eligibility requirements, contact South Dakota State University and set up an appointment with a counselor.
Two Rivers CDC is an NPO that promotes economic opportunities and cultural respect through community engagement and personal and business development,
CNHA is an NPO that enhances the cultural, economic, political, and community development of Native Hawaiians. CNHA is a Native Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) certified by the U.S. Treasury Department and a HUD-Certified Housing Counseling agency. CNHA provides access to capital, financial education, and individualized financial counseling services with a focus on low and moderate-income families. CNHA provides grants and loans targeting underserved communities in Hawaiʻi.
ONABEN is guided by a vision of a healthy economy for Native American communities. Such an economy will be a mix of tribal and individual enterprises sufficient in size and activity to sustain our communities, our neighbors, the land and the creatures around us. Such an economy will offer our youth models for business success and opportunities to become business builders. By increasing private enterprises on the reservations, tribes can diversify their economic base and decrease their reliance on federal revenues.
Support and facilitate Oklahoma's women entrepreneurs through business workshops, counseling, and networking opportunities.
AgLaunch, founded in 2015 and based in Memphis, Tennessee, is an accelerator firm dedicated to transforming the agriculture and food economy by focusing on farmers, innovation, and equity. It attracts, creates, and supports agtech startups while facilitating the development of new agriculture and food value chains. AgLaunch builds collaborative farmer networks and emphasizes intentional inclusion to revitalize rural and urban communities. The organization aims to foster business development, mentor diverse young talent, and explore new approaches to farming, ultimately creating pathways for diversity within the agricultural sector.
Startup Junkie Consulting is a venture catalyst that helps emerging communities everywhere else build lasting entrepreneurial ecosystems.
Larta Institute, founded in Los Angeles in 1993, is an award-winning and internationally recognized mission-driven innovation accelerator that provides a runway of success for world-changing ideas in healthcare, agriculture and energy. Larta Institute has helped more than 10,000 companies transform ideas into commercialized innovations that feed, fuel and heal the world. With a global network of entrepreneurs, mentors, investors, industry leaders, research institutions, government agencies and support organizations, Larta conducts commercialization assistance programs throughout the U.S. and in more than 20 countries. Larta Institute is a non-profit mission driven organization and parent organization of our for-profit subsidiary, Larta Inc.
Development Capital Networks has been delivering specialized products and services for over 20 years, focusing on regional economic development, technology transfer, development finance, entrepreneurship, and venture capital. The company aims to foster the growth of entrepreneurs by facilitating access to technology, capital, and talent, thereby contributing to the establishment of innovation economies. Its offerings include executive management services, training programs for angel and seed investors, as well as organizational management and government services. By connecting entrepreneurs with a broad network of innovators, developers, and investors, Development Capital Networks enhances opportunities for capital formation and supports the development of entrepreneurial ecosystems.
Acendian specializes in connecting with CMO's for any size volume for both API and drug product manufacturing. Its CMO's will prioritize the development and manufacturing of COVID-19 APIs and drug products and 400 USA Essential Medicines.
Diffgram is a digital platform focused on enhancing artificial intelligence data management through robust solutions for labeling, workflow, and storage. The company specializes in various aspects of data handling, including ingestion, annotation, debugging, and securing private information. By streamlining these processes, Diffgram enables users to effectively manage workflows and maximize the value derived from their AI data. This approach not only helps reduce data labeling costs but also significantly improves the quality of training data, making it a valuable resource for a wide range of applications in machine learning and deep learning.
BASU is a consumer electronics company based in Orinda, California, founded in 2015. It specializes in the design and manufacture of personal safety devices, particularly focused on enhancing security for outdoor enthusiasts. The company's product line includes eAlarm, eAlarm Plus, and SOS Alarm, which are designed for various activities such as traveling, hiking, jogging, and commuting. These smart connected security products aim to provide users with reliable solutions that ensure their safety while enabling mobility.
Offering rapid prototyping using bubble.is for non-technical founders.
Fire Door Solutions is a national leader in compliance services for passive fire protection systems, specializing in facilities management. The company employs over 100 trained and certified professionals, who provide comprehensive services to ensure clients meet essential life safety requirements across all 50 states. Fire Door Solutions offers a range of products and services, including fire-rated doors, dampers, barrier management, door frames, gauges, and bolts. The company is dedicated to helping clients achieve full compliance efficiently and effectively, ensuring the safety and protection of their facilities.
Symbios Technologies is commercializing its disruptive advanced low-cost aqueous plasma oxidation technology, the Symbios Tubular Plasma Reactor, to clean water, preserve the environment, and protect human health.
Non Equity Assistance in 2020
Prapela is a health and wellness company.SVS than any other infant health and wellness company in the world. It's the result of ten years of effort in the science, product development and clinical evaluation of SVS at Harvard’s Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, the University of Massachusetts Memorial Medical Center and Massachusetts General Hospital.
Omnistruct, a cyber governance SaaS company, aims to prepare mid-market businesses for when cyber compliance matters through measurement and illustration of new US Cyber Guidelines developed by NIST. CEO, George Usi's, vision is to make privacy data sacred for businesses grappling with cyber compliance by constructing governance programs using their SaaS platforms. The platform is designed around measuring cyber posture using open standards to make it easy to illustrate and compare actions taken with tools investments already made by businesses so they can measurably gauge and improve cyber posture.
Upshift, Inc. offers car subscription services in the San Francisco area, catering to both personal and business needs. Founded in 2012 and based in Oakland, California, the company provides a convenient alternative to traditional car ownership. Its platform allows users to subscribe to monthly plans or pay per trip, delivering clean vehicles, such as a Prius, directly to customers. Upshift's services include concierge options, vehicle pickup, parking, insurance, and maintenance, ensuring a hassle-free experience. The company's model aims to reduce carbon emissions and the need for parking spaces by minimizing the number of cars on the road, making it easier for individuals and businesses to access transportation without the responsibilities of ownership.
First Light Biosciences develops breakthrough automated medical diagnostic products for rapid, sensitive, and cost-effective detection of Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAI). The products address the need for cost-effective and accurate diagnostics to meet the explosive growth in testing. New testing is being driven by clinical studies showing that testing for infectious agents can help to dramatically lower the rate of hospital infections. Based on its proprietary MultiPath detection technology, First Light’s products combine the performance of the most advanced commercial laboratory tests with unprecedented affordability and ease-of-use.
BASU is a consumer electronics company based in Orinda, California, founded in 2015. It specializes in the design and manufacture of personal safety devices, particularly focused on enhancing security for outdoor enthusiasts. The company's product line includes eAlarm, eAlarm Plus, and SOS Alarm, which are designed for various activities such as traveling, hiking, jogging, and commuting. These smart connected security products aim to provide users with reliable solutions that ensure their safety while enabling mobility.
Operator of a restaurant intended to offer Aspen-style fast food products. The company provides quality beef, tuna, falafel burgers, hotdogs, truffle fries, kale salad, milkshakes and spiked shakes as well as offers ice-skating in the winter and mini-golf in the summer, enabling customers to enjoy a range of fast food at their leisure.
Operator of a precision health company commercializing a development pipeline of tests that measure dynamic gene expression (RNA, RiboNucleicAcid) providing a real-time report of inflammation status including drugs targets that are abnormal ("prevent-detect-treat"). Two verticals of customers are the focus of each disease area: clinical care and pharma/biotech. The company's RNA blood or biopsy tests may be utilized on demand to "treat to target" with optimal disease management for lupus or dermatology conditions such as psoriasis or ezcema. For an otherwise healthy individual, its prediction of inflammation is an early indicator of changes in the immune system that maymore
Fetal Life is a healthcare company focused on enhancing the pregnancy experience through innovative solutions that support both expectant mothers and postpartum care. The company develops medical devices to monitor contractions and fetal heartbeats, combined with a mobile app that facilitates self-management of health, weight monitoring, and gestational diabetes. By integrating telehealth services and data analysis, Fetal Life aims to provide comprehensive care throughout the pregnancy journey. Their products are designed to be affordable, portable, and user-friendly, allowing pregnant women to better navigate their challenges with accessible medical expertise and technology.
Vocademy is an online skill development platform that focuses on vocational training to equip students with in-demand skills. It offers a variety of unique programs, including the Maker Professional Apprenticeship and the Maker Skills Academy for gap year students. The platform provides cost-effective, bootcamp-style training courses that cover traditional and advanced manufacturing techniques. Students have the opportunity to engage in hands-on projects involving woodworking, 3D printing, laser engraving, electronics, and robotics. Through these programs, Vocademy aims to foster essential skills for a wide range of maker careers, empowering individuals to create and innovate in the manufacturing sector.
The Maryland Department of Commerce, established in 1884 and located in Baltimore, serves as the state's primary economic development agency. Its mission is to stimulate private investment and create jobs by attracting new businesses, while also supporting the expansion and retention of existing companies. The agency provides essential workforce training and financial assistance to Maryland businesses, enhancing their growth potential. Additionally, it promotes the state's economic advantages and markets local products and services both domestically and internationally, aiming to boost economic development, trade, and tourism.
The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is dedicated to building upon its tradition of excellence in education, research, public engagement and economic development. More than 3,000 faculty members discover and create new knowledge. Their work is an economic engine for the state and is recognized with many of the world’s top academic and creative awards. The campus’ outstanding academic programs, extraordinary resources and bountiful opportunities attract top-caliber students. They join research teams, spend semesters abroad, create art in old and new ways and lead and participate in hundreds of student organizations. The Urbana campus has more than 425,000 alumni who are global leaders across the spectrum of human endeavor.
LifeBridge Health is a regional healthcare organization located in northwest Baltimore city and Baltimore County. It operates a health technology platform designed to enhance health-related services, focusing on areas such as heart and vascular health, brain and spine care, cancer treatment, and sports medicine. The platform offers diagnostic services and personalized care, along with a mobile application that allows patients to access health information, search for doctors, and schedule appointments online. LifeBridge Health aims to provide a comprehensive and integrated approach to healthcare, emphasizing innovative and high-quality services to improve patient health outcomes.
MTech Ventures, founded in 1985 and based in College Park, Maryland, operates as an incubator focused on early-stage startups. The firm partners with entrepreneurs to develop technology companies by providing essential support in areas such as business planning, staffing, launching, and financing. With a team boasting extensive experience in entrepreneurship and venture capital, MTech Ventures offers mentoring and a range of resources designed to help founders navigate the challenges of building scalable enterprises. Through its incubation programs, the firm aims to transform innovative ideas into successful businesses.
F³ Tech (Farm-Fish-Food) is a proof-of-concept and commercialization initiative that is creating a renaissance of economic growth and prosperity through innovation and technology that is built upon Maryland’s traditional industries of agriculture and seafood. F³ Tech enables solutions through the development of new products and services in response to market-driven problems and challenges. This is accomplished through a series of stages that guides entrepreneurs from idea through commercialization.
The Nevada Governor’s Office of Economic Development (GOED) was created during the 2011 Session of the Nevada Legislature through a collaboration of the Nevada Governor's Office and the Leadership of the Nevada State Senate and State Assembly. GOED promotes a robust, diversified and prosperous economy in Nevada, stimulating business expansion and retention, encouraging entrepreneurial enterprise, attracting new business and facilitating community development. Nevada's economic platform will be driven by human ingenuity along with collaboration and strategic alliances with the broader community. The principles of innovation, sustainability and inclusion drive the organization's approach on a daily basis.
KaTom Restaurant Supply is a supplier of restaurant equipment and supplies, focusing on serving the needs of restaurant owners. The company offers a wide range of products, including kitchen supplies, flatware, serve ware, restaurant furniture, and disposable items. KaTom is dedicated to providing meticulous attention to detail and personalized service, ensuring that customers receive seasoned advice on selecting the right products for their establishments. With a commitment to high-quality and value-priced equipment, KaTom aims to support restaurant owners in efficiently outfitting their businesses.
Ohio Aerospace Institute (OAI) is a non-profit organization that enhances the aerospace competitiveness of its corporate, federal agency
Hawaii Technology Development Corporation (HTDC) is a state agency established by the Hawaii State Legislature in 1983 to facilitate the development and growth of Hawaii's commercial high technology industry. The State views high technology as an important driver in the diversification of Hawaii's economy and one that provides quality, high-paying jobs for Hawaii residents.
BASU is a consumer electronics company based in Orinda, California, founded in 2015. It specializes in the design and manufacture of personal safety devices, particularly focused on enhancing security for outdoor enthusiasts. The company's product line includes eAlarm, eAlarm Plus, and SOS Alarm, which are designed for various activities such as traveling, hiking, jogging, and commuting. These smart connected security products aim to provide users with reliable solutions that ensure their safety while enabling mobility.
SDxCentral is a B2B Media and Martech company. On the media side, we leverage our expertise to empower IT professionals to make better decisions for their organizations while advancing their careers. Our content educates and informs cloud, networking, and security professionals working in operations, development, and leadership within large enterprises and service providers. On the martech, side we use buyer engagements to understand and predict intent, connecting our clients with engaged IT professionals. Combined with data-driven custom content, our martech solutions enable industry professionals from corporate marketing to product marketing and sales to influence IT buyers and turn them into customers.
Inskrib makes App controlled portable LED signs ideal for a wide range of indoor and outdoor marketing and advertising purposes like Retail, Pop-up Tents, Party Rentals, Bars & Restaurants, Real Estate, Kids Events, Tailgating, Countdowns, DJ's, Dorm Rooms, Recording Studios, Vehicle Messages, Healthcare Facilities, Offices, etc. You can control your custom message changes from as far as 30 feet away using the Free iOS and Android Apps.
SDxCentral is a B2B Media and Martech company. On the media side, we leverage our expertise to empower IT professionals to make better decisions for their organizations while advancing their careers. Our content educates and informs cloud, networking, and security professionals working in operations, development, and leadership within large enterprises and service providers. On the martech, side we use buyer engagements to understand and predict intent, connecting our clients with engaged IT professionals. Combined with data-driven custom content, our martech solutions enable industry professionals from corporate marketing to product marketing and sales to influence IT buyers and turn them into customers.
Rady Venture Fund is an evergreen investment fund that focuses on seed-to-early stage companies, particularly in the life sciences and biotechnology sectors, which encompass medical devices, instrumentation, and diagnostics. Additionally, the fund targets investments in high-tech, information technology, communication, water purification, and clean technology industries. It primarily seeks opportunities in companies based in San Diego or Southern California, aiming to support innovation within this growing region. Rady Venture Fund typically makes equity investments ranging from $75,000 to $150,000 and prefers to provide financing in the form of equity or convertible debt. By aligning with the Rady School of Management, the fund benefits from a strong educational and research foundation, fostering connections with business leaders and venture capitalists.
Zonit Structured Solutions, based in Colorado, has been a key player in the data center industry since its inception in 2002 as part of Root Group. It became an independent entity in 2007, focusing on delivering innovative technology products and solutions specifically for power distribution and power management in data centers. Zonit’s offerings aim to enhance operational efficiency, minimize downtime, and lower both operating and capital costs for clients. The company's products are designed to help data centers reduce energy consumption and mitigate risks, making them a valuable partner in optimizing data center operations.
TriCipher, Inc. provides a unified authentication infrastructure available on demand or on premise to protect web applications and enterprise portals, the people that use them and the business processes that flow through them against fraud and identity theft. Their solutions allow companies to deploy adjustable credentials from a single infrastructure to defeat new threats and to meet regulatory requirements, maximizing convenience and strength and minimizing change. The TriCipher Armored Credential System is their on-premise solution implemented by many leading banking and health care service providers. The myOneLogin service combines the TriCipher authentication infrastructure with single login capabilities in an on-demand service for SaaS customers as well as SaaS providers and SaaS platform providers. TriCipher, Inc. was founded in 2000 and is based in Los Gatos, California.
Blueline Services, LLC, established in 2004 and headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah, specializes in technology-driven toxicology testing and professional background screening solutions across the United States. The company offers a range of drug testing services, including instant and laboratory tests using urine and saliva, as well as hair-based laboratory tests. Additionally, it provides comprehensive reporting options via web, email, and fax, along with services such as record storage, medical review, audit support, and program analysis. In the realm of background screening, Blueline Services conducts national criminal database checks, country criminal searches, motor vehicle registration verifications, credit checks, social security number and identity verifications, and employment and education verifications. The firm is committed to adapting its services to meet the specific needs of its clients.