Our nation’s small business community is made up of a dynamic mix of individuals from diverse backgrounds who are united by their entrepreneurial drive, unwavering resilience, and unshakeable spirit. It is those shared characteristics that have helped America’s entrepreneurs persevere and thrive amid unprecedented challenges these last few years.
The SBA is honored to serve small business owners across the country now and in the days ahead, and there is no better time to echo that sentiment than National Entrepreneurship Week, February 12-19, 2022. National Entrepreneurship Week is a great time to check out the SBA’s tailored programs and services that cater to small business owners from every industry — and at all stages of growth.
We encourage you to learn more about the offerings available to you through the SBA, including online educational resources, funding programs, and local assistance.
Learning Platform
No matter where you are on your small business journey, the SBA offers a variety of online educational tools and resources to help you proceed to the next step. The SBA Learning Platform is just one example. Whether you are looking for an extra boost starting, launching, managing, marketing, or growing your business, the SBA Learning Center has numerous courses that will meet your unique needs.
There is also Ascent, a free online learning platform for women with existing businesses who are already generating revenue and looking to grow and scale. The platform empowers women entrepreneurs to analyze their business’ strengths and weaknesses, identify growth opportunities, set goals, and more. And for transitioning U.S. service members and their spouses, Boots to Business provides an introduction to business ownership.
Funding Programs
We also have numerous funding programs to meet a variety of small business needs. These programs include:
- Disaster assistance loans: When disasters strike, the SBA stands ready to help businesses rebuild and recover. Once a disaster is declared, SBA disaster loans cover physical damage, mitigation assistance, economic injury, and more. Follow this application process.
- SBA-backed loans: If you’re creditworthy but don’t qualify for conventional financing, SBA-backed loans could be an ideal option for you. The SBA works with participating lenders to reduce their risk, increasing the likelihood your loan will be approved with the terms that work best for you. To secure an SBA-guaranteed loan, start by using Lender Match, the SBA’s free online referral program that connects small businesses with more than 800 participating SBA-approved lenders.
Local Assistance
Small business owners interested in benefitting from the experience of an expert mentor or advisor can get matched with one via SBA's local resource partner network. Resource partners — like SCORE Small Business Development Centers, Veterans Business Outreach Centers and Women’s Business Centers — are available to meet remotely via email, phone, and video chat, and can help with any issues you might face along your business journey.
If you aren’t certain which resource partner is the best match for you, or have questions about other SBA tools, resources, or programs, consider reaching out directly to your closest SBA district office. Your local district office is your point of contact for the SBA in your community.