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Small Business Administration: Small Business Developement Centers (SBDCs)

What is a Small Business Development Center (SBDC)?

The Small Business Development Center is a program of the U.S. Government's Small Business Administration that provides assistance to small business owners (and to those thinking about starting a small business) in areas such as business start-up, management and growth. SBDCs help small businesses by offering workshops and one-on-one mentoring, and they can even help you write a business plan. These centers get a portion of their funding from the government and another portion from corporate sponsorship.

Why might an inventor want to visit a local SBDC?

For two reasons:

1. To learn all you can. Sure, you may have a new invention idea up your sleeve, but what next? The SBDC can help you assess whether you want to form a small business around your invention and if you do, help you learn what those steps would entail.

2. While individual offices vary in the services they provide, many SBDCs offer consulting services and classes to small businesses and entrepreneurs at little or no cost at all. Mentors who work for the SBDC are often retired or semi-retired business executives who can share a wide spectrum business experience – from bookkeeping to marketing.

Whether you are looking for information on how to structure your small business or want to become qualified as a woman or minority owned business, your local SBDC may be help.

How can I contact my local SBDC?

There are over 1,100 SBDC locations across the United States. You can visit the SBA Web site to find an office near you.

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