The primary federal agency supporting small businesses through counseling, training, capital access, and government contracting assistance.
In plain terms: This federal website helps you start, fund, and grow a small business. You can explore loan options, find local counseling and training, and get certified for government contracting opportunities.
Start here for the official rules, then use SCORE or an SBDC for a human to walk you through them.
The SBA provides federal loan programs, contracting certifications, and guides for entrepreneurs. Visit the site to find lenders, access local counseling resources, or prepare for government contracting opportunities.
SBA-backed financing to help small business owners start, operate, or expand their businesses.
Open program pageLong-term, fixed-rate financing designed to help small businesses acquire major fixed assets and real estate.
Open program pageSmall-scale loan funding provided through authorized microlenders to assist small businesses and startups.
Open program pageLow-interest loans helping businesses of all sizes, homeowners, and renters recover from declared disasters.
Open program pageA service that connects small business owners directly with participating SBA-approved lenders.
Open program pagePrograms including 8(a), HUBZone, and Women-Owned certifications that help small firms access set-aside government contracts.
Open program pageFree U.S. Small Business Administration webinar via Zoom on starting a business, October 6, 2026.
Free business training, counseling, and mentoring for veterans, service-disabled veterans, National Guard and Reserve members, and military spouses.
In plain terms: This program offers small business support for veterans, service members, and military spouses. You can connect with a local center to attend workshops, get one-on-one counseling, and receive help writing a business plan.
Why I recommend it: Military spouses qualify too — a lot of people miss that.
Free one-on-one business advising and low-cost training through a nationwide network hosted at universities and colleges.
In plain terms: This tool helps you locate nearby centers that offer personalized business advising and training. You can work with advisors to develop business plans, manage finances, and access capital to start or grow your company.
Why I recommend it: Free advising with real financial help — find your local center and book an appointment.
Comprehensive national guide covering counseling, training, capital, contracting, disaster assistance, and business advocacy resources, with local editions available.
Why I recommend it: Download your state's edition — the local contact list in the back is the useful part.
SBA-funded centers providing training and counseling to women entrepreneurs, with special focus on those who are socially or economically disadvantaged.
In plain terms: This tool helps you find local, government-supported centers that assist women entrepreneurs. You can reach out to a nearby center to get business counseling, training, mentoring, and funding advice to start or expand a business.
Why I recommend it: If you're a woman starting out, this is often the warmest first door.
Plain-language rundown of which insurance types a small business actually needs — general liability, workers' comp, property, and more.
In plain terms: This government guide explains the different types of insurance coverage small businesses need to protect their assets. Use it to learn how policies like general liability and workers' compensation work so you can choose the right coverage for your startup.
Why I recommend it: Start here before you buy anything from a broker. Knowing the four basic policy types keeps you from being upsold.
Sole proprietor, LLC, S corp, or partnership — what each means for taxes, liability, and paperwork.
In plain terms: This guide explains the differences between business structures like sole proprietorships, LLCs, and corporations. You can compare how each option affects your taxes, personal liability, and paperwork before you register your business.
Why I recommend it: Read this before paying a service to form an entity for you. Many owners need less than they are sold.
How to find the federal, state, and local licenses your business type needs, including industry-specific permits.
In plain terms: This government guide outlines the basic legal and operational steps needed to launch a small business. You can use it to research local regulations, choose a business structure, and identify the licenses and permits you need.
Why I recommend it: Local rules trip people up more than federal ones. Check your city and county pages too.
Step-by-step guide to hiring your first employee: EIN, state registration, payroll taxes, and required posters.
In plain terms: This government guide outlines the basic legal and financial steps for hiring workers. You can use it to set up payroll, complete required tax forms, and follow federal and state employment laws.
Why I recommend it: Your first hire is a paperwork event as much as a people event. This is the checklist.
Fundamentals of finding and keeping customers — market research, pricing, and simple sales plans, with no software required.
Why I recommend it: Refreshing if you are tired of being told the answer is more posting. This is about customers, not content.
Build a lender-ready business plan section by section, for free.
In plain terms: This free government guide helps you research, structure, and write a business plan from start to finish. You can use downloadable templates and federal market data to calculate startup costs and create a plan for lenders.
From the site: Plan to make your great idea into a great small business using SBA’s data and trend resources, business plan templates and startup cost calculator. Market research and competitive analysis Write your business plan Calculate your startup costs Establish business credit Fund your business Buy an existing business or fra…
Why I recommend it: If you want a loan or a grant, you need this document. Start rough, refine later.
Hand-picked from the hub based on what U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) covers.
This directory lists government and community programs that support small business owners and startups. You can use it to find free business coaching, connect with expert mentors, and search for grants.
Why this: Covers community resources and free too
Free courses, coaching, and grant opportunities for small business owners.
Why this: Covers free and funding too
This directory lists business accelerators, grants, investors, and government support programs across several regions and nationwide. You can use the clickable links to find funding, free mentoring, and resources to help start or grow your business.
Why this: Covers federal and free too
Official federal directory for finding your state's Economic Development Districts and Economic Development Organizations (EDOs/EDCs) — pick a state and get the local contacts.
Why this: Covers community resources and federal too
