Small and Underutilized Businesses

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