U.S. Small Business Administration resource partner network
FREE SERVICEFree to low-cost, individualised business advising and technical assistance, for people already in business and for people who have not started yet. Business planning, strategy, operations, financial management, personnel, marketing, export help, sales. This is a professional advisor you would otherwise be paying by the hour, funded so that you do not have to. It is advice, not money — an SBDC cannot give you a grant, and an advisor who is honest with you may tell you your plan does not work, which is worth more than a consultant paid to agree. Find one by ZIP code at https://www.sba.gov/local-assistance/district.
Open to small businesses and pre-venture entrepreneurs; no fee for counselling, though training courses may carry a small charge. Centres are hosted by universities and state agencies, so depth of expertise varies by location — ask to be matched with an advisor who knows your industry, and ask early about capital readiness rather than after a loan denial.
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Not financial or legal advice. Program terms change — verify eligibility, amounts, and deadlines with the administering agency before acting.