The wider ecosystem
SBA resource partners
Local advising and training networks supported by the U.S. Small Business Administration and other federal agencies.
Often a fit for: Owners at any stage who want practical advice close to home, from a first plan to government contracting.
Independent programs; no affiliation implied unless stated. Each entry was checked against the program’s own page in October 2026. Programs change; confirm details with the program before you apply.
6 programs
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Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs)
Business advising and training from a national network of about a thousand centers, usually hosted by universities and state economic development agencies.
- Who it is for
- Entrepreneurs and small business owners at any stage.
- Format
- One-to-one advising and workshops; ask your local center what it provides.
- Where
- Every U.S. state and territory (Varies by location)
- Stage
- Idea, Building, Launching, Growing, Scaling
- Open to
- Open to all founders
Visit Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs) (external site). Opens the program’s own site. Source: program page, retrieved October 2026.
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SCORE
Mentoring from experienced business volunteers, plus workshops and online resources.
- Who it is for
- Aspiring and current small business owners.
- Format
- Mentoring by chapter, in person or remote, as described on the SBA resource page.
- Where
- Local chapters across the United States (In person and online)
- Stage
- Idea, Building, Launching, Growing
- Open to
- Open to all founders
Visit SCORE (external site). Opens the program’s own site. Source: program page, retrieved October 2026.
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Women’s Business Centers
Training, counseling and technical assistance for business owners, with a focus on women and underserved entrepreneurs.
- Who it is for
- Women and other entrepreneurs who face barriers to business ownership.
- Format
- Local centers with counseling and classes.
- Where
- Centers across the United States (Varies by location)
- Stage
- Idea, Building, Launching, Growing
- Open to
- Women, Under-resourced founders
Visit Women’s Business Centers (external site). Opens the program’s own site. Source: program page, retrieved October 2026.
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Veterans Business Outreach Centers (VBOCs)
Business training, counseling and mentoring for veterans, service members and military spouses.
- Who it is for
- Veterans, service members and military spouses who want to start or grow a business.
- Format
- Regional centers.
- Where
- Regional centers across the United States (Varies by location)
- Stage
- Idea, Building, Launching, Growing
- Open to
- Veterans and military families
Visit Veterans Business Outreach Centers (VBOCs) (external site). Opens the program’s own site. Source: program page, retrieved October 2026.
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APEX Accelerators (formerly PTACs)
Help for businesses that want to sell to the Department of Defense, other federal agencies, and state and local governments.
- Who it is for
- Businesses entering or growing in government contracting.
- Format
- Local counseling and events.
- Where
- Local offices across the United States (Varies by location)
- Stage
- Launching, Growing, Scaling
- Open to
- Open to all founders
Visit APEX Accelerators (formerly PTACs) (external site). Opens the program’s own site. Source: program page, retrieved October 2026.
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Boots to Business
An entrepreneurship training for transitioning service members and spouses, offered through the SBA’s veteran programs.
- Who it is for
- Transitioning service members and military spouses.
- Format
- A training course; see the SBA page for current delivery.
- Where
- Military installations and online (Varies by location)
- Stage
- Idea, Building
- Open to
- Veterans and military families
Visit Boots to Business (external site). Opens the program’s own site. Source: program page, retrieved October 2026.
Public research awards have their own guide: SBIR and STTR.
Ask before you join
- Which center covers your county, and what does it offer?
- Does the advisor know your industry?
- Can the center help with certification or contracting?
Other kinds of program
Join them. Then build for the long run.
Join them. WE works alongside, for the long run. Tell WE where your company is. A readiness review says plainly whether the work fits, and which of these programs would help most right now.
Every program here is independent. WE lists it because founders may want to consider it. No affiliation, partnership or endorsement is implied, and none is stated for any entry.
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