The links in this article lead to resources outside of DLA's Office of Small Business Programs. The information provided should not be interpreted as an endorsement, sanction, approval, or authorization by DLA.
Article provides information on getting started with different assistance programs for businesses and manufacturers in the form of mentorships, trainings, loans, grants and partnerships.
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Terms Glossary
Apex Accelerators, formally known as Procurement Technical Assistance Program, assists businesses in pursuit of a federal government contracts by providing education and training to ensure that all businesses become capable of participating in federal, state, and local government contracts. Some education and training topics include:
- How to use DLA applications like DIBBS and SAMs
- Understanding compliance with DoD's cybersecurity requirements
- Helping Small Businesses navigate solicitations and potential funding opportunities
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SBA Technical and Management Assistance Programs:
Small Business Development Centers offer individualized counseling and training to new and existing small businesses.
SBA District Offices can facilitate the assistance program.
SBDCs and the SBA district office coordinate assistance with other available local programs at educational organizations that support entrepreneurship through counseling and training programs. Begin the process by finding your local SB development center and reaching out.
SBDCs provide problem-solving assistance to help SB's access:
- Access Capital
- Develop and Exchange New Technologies
- Improve Business:
- Planning, Strategy, Operations, and Management
- Financial Management
- Personnel Administration
- Marketing and Sales
- Productivity and Innovation
- Export Assistance
The SCORE volunteer mentors, all experts in entrepreneurship and related fields, meet with their small business clients on an ongoing basis to provide continued advice and support. SCORE provides a wide range of services to help small businesses including:
- Trainings
- Webinars
- Online Workshops
- Courses on Demand
- Library of Online Resources
Find a SCORE Mentor and reach out to them to begin the process.
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Government loans can help pay for education, housing, business, disaster relief, and more. Unlike grants and benefits, government loans must be repaid, often with interest."
USA.gov How to Get a Government Loan
Small Business Administration (SBA) supports a variety of funding programs designed to help small businesses and industries get to the next level in working with the Government. The two main types of funding programs SBA supports are loans and grants.
SBA’s Lender Match program connects small businesses with potential lenders offering SBA-backed funding to implement SBA Loans.
The 7(a) Loan Program , SBA’s most common loan program, includes financial help for small businesses with special requirements. This is the common option when real estate is part of a business purchase, but it can also be used for:
- Short- and long-term working capital
- Refinance current business debt
- Purchase furniture, fixtures, and supplies.
The 504 Loan Program provides long-term, fixed rate financing for major fixed assets (e.g., property) that promote business growth and job creation. 504 loans are available exclusively through Certified Development Companies (list of CDCs ). CDCs are SBA's community-based partners who regulate nonprofits and promote economic development within their communities. CDCs are certified and regulated by the SBA.
The Microloan program provides loans up to $50,000 to help small businesses and certain not-for-profit childcare centers start up and expand. The average microloan is about $13,000. SBA provides funds to specially designated intermediary lenders, which are nonprofit community-based organizations with experience in lending as well as management and technical assistance. These intermediaries administer the Microloan program for eligible borrowers.
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A grant is a way the government funds your ideas and projects to provide public services and stimulate the economy."
Grants.gov What is a Grant?
SBA offers limited grants to small businesses, states, and eligible community organizations to encourage entrepreneurship. SBA does not offer grants for starting or expanding a business.
The SBA's State Trade Expansion Program (STEP) provides financial awards to state and territory governments that then help fund small businesses with export development. This is done by providing grants to help cover costs concerning entering and expanding into international markets.
Research and Development Grants
Small businesses engaged in scientific research and development, may qualify for federal grants under the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and the Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs . These programs encourage small firms to undertake scientific research that helps meet federal research and development objectives and have high potential for commercialization if successful.
SBIR focuses on domestic SBs that engage in Federal Research/Research and Development with the potential for commercialization.
STTR focuses on public/private sector partnership requiring SBs to partner with nonprofit research institutions.
Management and Technical Assistance Grants
The Empower to Grow program, formerly SBA's 7(j) Management and Technical Assistance Program, empowers small businesses to become prime and subcontractors by giving training, executive direction, and one-on-one consulting. Certain courses this program offers are in:
- Business Development
- Accounting
- Various business-related software
Misc. Federal Government Grants
Grants.gov program provides a centralized location for grant seekers to find and apply for federal funding opportunities. Today, the Grants.gov system houses information on over 1,000 grant programs and screens grant applications for federal grant-making agencies .
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MEP is a public-private partnership with centers in every state. MEP Centers and partners have developed a wide range of services and initiatives to enable manufacturers to identify opportunities and improve processes that will accelerate and strengthen growth and competitiveness in the global marketplace.
The 51 MEP Centers located in all 50 states and Puerto Rico, the MEP Advisory Board, MEP Center boards, and the Foundation for Manufacturing Excellence, as well as over 1,450 trusted advisors and experts at approximately 430 MEP service locations, providing any U.S. manufacturer with access to resources they need to succeed.
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Project Spectrum is a comprehensive, cost-effective platform that provides companies, institutions, and organizations with cybersecurity information, resources, tools, and training. Project Spectrum improves cybersecurity readiness, resiliency, and compliance for small/medium-sized businesses and the federal manufacturing supply chain.
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Terms Glossary
Find meanings for acronyms, abbreviations and codes used throughout the process article below in the table:
| Term Used |
Meaning/Definition |
| CDC |
Certified Development Company |
| MEP |
Manufacturing Extension Partnership |
| SB |
Small Business |
| SBA |
Small Business Administration |
| SBDC |
Small Business Development Center |
| SBIR |
Small Business Innovation Research |
| SCORE |
Service Corps of Retired Executives |
| STTR |
Small Business Technology Transfer |