Entrepreneurs

SBA: One-Year Anniversary of Veteran Small Business Certification Program Marked

VetCert Program Approved More than 10,000 Applications Averaging 15-Day Processing Times Today, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) marks the one-year anniversary of the agency accepting applications through the Veteran Small Business Certification (VetCert) program, the SBA’s primary certification vehicle to expand federal contracting opportunities for all Veteran-Owned Small Businesses (VOSBs) and Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses (SDVOSBs). This effort is…

SBA: Growth Accelerator Fund Competition Opened January 8th to Expand and Strengthen the National Innovation Ecosystem

Organizations will compete in two stages for $50,000 to $200,000 in prizes; SBA to award up to $3 Million in Stage One Prizes Today,  Administrator Isabel Casillas Guzman, head of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and the voice in President Biden’s Cabinet for America’s more than 33 million small businesses and startups, announced the opening of the 2024 Growth…

EDA: 60 Recipients of “Build to Scale” Program Announced in Support of Innovators, Entrepreneurs, and Startups through Regional, Technology-Based Economic Development Strategies

Grantees Represent 36 States, District of Columbia and Puerto Rico Today, the U.S. Department of Commerce announced “Build to Scale” grants awarded to 60 organizations across the country — located in 36 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico — totaling $53 million for programs that support technology entrepreneurs, catalyze innovation, and fuel economic…

SBA: Access to Capital Expanded for Underserved Small Businesses Through Mission-Based Lenders

SBA Introduces 143 New Community Advantage Small Business Lending Companies (SBLC) Across America This week at the Opportunity Finance Network (OFN) annual conference, Administrator Isabel Guzman, head of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and the voice in President Biden’s Cabinet for America’s 33 million small businesses, announced that the SBA has successfully made permanent its mission-lending Community…

SBA: Reach of Regional Innovation Cluster Network Expanded with Four New Awards

Regional Innovation Clusters Help Increase Startup and Small Business Participation in the U.S. Supply Chain Today, Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman, head of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and the voice in President Biden’s Cabinet for America’s 33 million small businesses, announced four contract awards to small businesses and entrepreneur support organization (ESO) partners, expanding the SBA’s Regional Innovation Clusters…

SBA: Financial Assistance Expanded to Native American Communities with Six New Grantees

Agency Announces New Tribal Grant Program, Expansion of Existing Efforts to Support Native American Entrepreneurs Today, Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman, head of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and the voice in President Biden’s Cabinet for America’s 33 million small businesses, announced the creation of the Tribal College Small Business Achievement (TCSBA) grant, a new pilot program to support Native…

SBA: 15 Appointees Announced for New Invention, Innovation and Entrepreneurship Federal Advisory Committee

Group Will Advise SBA on Policy Matters to Foster a Thriving and Equitable Small Business and Startup Innovation Ecosystem Today, Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman, head of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and the voice for America’s 33 million small businesses and startups in President Biden’s Cabinet, announced the appointment of 15 members to the newly established Invention, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship Advisory…

SBA: Proposed Rule Empowers Returning Citizens to Start and Grow Businesses

Updated regulations would remove barriers to capital for entrepreneurs with certain types of justice involvement Today, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) invited public comment on a proposed rule that would help expand access to SBA loan programs for people with certain criminal history records.  These proposed reforms would open up entrepreneurship opportunities to the one in…

EDA: Tech Hubs Competitions Applications Show Nationwide Excitement for Investing in America’s Technological Future

The U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA), announced the receipt of hundreds of applications for Phase 1 of the Regional Technology and Innovation Hubs (Tech Hubs) competition, a key piece of President Biden’s Investing in America agenda. In total, 48 states and 3 territories submitted Tech Hubs Phase 1 applications.   Phase 1 of this competition will designate…

SBA: $8 Million in PRIME Grants Awarded to Help Micro-Entrepreneurs

Grants will help 32 organizations with program development and provide training and technical assistance to improve access to capital for economically disadvantaged microentrepreneurs Today, Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman, head of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and the voice for America’s 33 million small businesses in President Biden’s Cabinet, announced the awardees for the 2023 Program for Investment in…