Small and Underutilized Businesses
This section highlights policy, procurement and other resources for Tennessee's entrepreneurs, small and underutilized businesses seeking certifications and registrations to do business with the government and private sector.
Entrepreneurs with Disabilities
Programs, Resources, Certification
- Disability:IN - resource for business disability inclusion
- Go-DBE - Certification for Persons with Disabilities Business Enterprise (DSBE)
- SBA 8(a) – business development program helps DBEs compete in the marketplace
- Vocational Rehabilitation Services , TNDHS - a program providing services to individuals with disabilities to attain self-employment
Minority Business Enterprises
Programs, Resources, Certification
- Go-DBE - registration, certification, contracting for Minority Business Enterprise (MBE)
- Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) – programs deliver customized business development and industry-focused services
- Office of Native American Affairs – seeks to ensure access to the necessary business development and expansion tools through SBA
- TriState Minority Supplier Development Council - works to build business partnerships between minority businesses (suppliers) and major corporations (purchasers); certifying agency; member-based, non-profit
- SBA 8(a) – business development program helps DBEs compete in the marketplace
Small Business Enterprise
Programs, Resources, Certification
- Go-DBE - registration, certification, contracting for Small Business Enterprise (SBE)
- Office of Small Business Advocate - assists in resolution of issues concerning small businesses and state agencies and small businesses and federal agencies
- SBA 8(a) – business development program helps DBEs compete in the marketplace
Veteran Business Enterprises
Programs, Resources, Certification
- EBV National Program - experiential training in entrepreneurship and small business management to post-9/11 veterans with service-connected disabilities
- Go-DBE - registration, certification, contracting for Service-Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise (SDVBE)
- National Veteran-Owned Business Association (NaVOBA) - nonprofit dedicated to advancing the interests of veteran-owned businesses
- Office of Small Business Advocate - assists in resolution of issues concerning small businesses and state agencies and small businesses and federal agencies
- SBA 8(a) – business development program helps DBEs compete in the marketplace
- Veteran's Affairs - small business programs and procurement readiness for veteran-owned business and federal agencies and state services
- Veterans Business Outreach Center (VBOC) - resources to veterans, service members, and military spouses interested in starting or growing a small business Tennessee and nationally
Women Business Enterprises
Programs, Resources, Certification
- National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) - dues-based organization representing the interests of all women entrepreneurs across all industries
- Go-DBE - registration, certification, contracting for Women Business Enterprise (WBE)
- Office of Small Business Advocate - assists in resolution of issues concerning small businesses and state agencies and small businesses and federal agencies
- SBA 8(a) – business development program helps DBEs compete in the marketplace
- WBEC South - member-based, non-profit works to enhance business opportunities between women-owned businesses and corporations through a reputable certification program, education and professional growth opportunities
- WOSB Program (SBA) – a federal contracting program
LGBT Business Enterprises
Programs, Opportunities and Resources
- National Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce – advances common business interests and equality; certification
- U.S. SBA LGBT Inclusion – focus on economic empowerment by providing access to programs and services
- StartOut – organization dedicated to creating business leaders by fostering lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer entrepreneurs
Justice Impacted Individuals (Previously Incarcerated Entrepreneurs)
Programs, Opportunities and Resources
- Grants – see the grant section under Quick Links; grant dollars related to previously incarcerated typically go to nonprofits and government agencies to provide support services and training to affect recidivism
- Jobs4TN – find employers near you
- Jobs For Felons Hub - online reentry resource portal
- Reentering the Community – A Handbook – checklists, available services, helpful tools
- Step Ahead: helps job seekers with felony convictions and other criminal charges know their work options
Get inspired – Rubicon Bakery, Thistle Farms
Rural Businesses
Programs, Opportunities and Resources
- AgLaunch - collaboratively supports and develops sustainable, future-ready farms and transformation of regional agricultural and food economies
- HUBZone - helps small businesses gain preferential access to federal procurement opportunities
- Main Street (Tennessee) - provides technical assistance, training and guidance to nationally accredited downtowns
- National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC) - an alliance of grassroots organizations that advocates for federal policy reform to advance the sustainability of agriculture, food systems, natural resources, and rural communities
- Opportunity Zones - a federal tax incentive for investors to re-invest capital gains into investing in designated low-income areas
- RUPRI – provides unbiased analysis and information on the challenges, needs and opportunities facing rural America
- Southern Rural Development (SRDC) – a mix of strategies to help rural communities seed entrepreneurs
- USDA Rural Development - work in partnership with the private sector and the community-based organizations to provide financial assistance (not a direct lender)
- UT Institute for Agriculture and Extension – information resource for rural business
Youth Entrepreneurship
Programs, Opportunities and Resources
- DECA - prepares emerging leaders and entrepreneurs in high schools and colleges worldwide
- Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) - bring business and education together
- Global Entrepreneurship Week - the world’s largest celebration of the innovators and job creators who launch startups
- Junior Achievement (JA) - K-12th grade programs foster work-readiness, entrepreneurship, financial literacy
- Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship (NFTE) - provides programs that inspire young people from low-income communities to stay in school, to recognize business opportunities
- FSA Youth Loans (loan program) – loans of up to $5,000 for eligible individual rural youths, (10-20 yrs. old) to finance income producing, agriculture-related projects
- Virtual Enterprise - an in-school entrepreneurship program and global business simulation
- Young Entrepreneurs - current articles, blogs and other media for teens and young entrepreneurs