Entrepreneurs

SBA: Proposed Rule Empowers Returning Citizens to Start and Grow Businesses

Updated regulations would remove barriers to capital for entrepreneurs with certain types of justice involvement Today, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) invited public comment on a proposed rule that would help expand access to SBA loan programs for people with certain criminal history records.  These proposed reforms would open up entrepreneurship opportunities to the one in…

EDA: Tech Hubs Competitions Applications Show Nationwide Excitement for Investing in America’s Technological Future

The U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA), announced the receipt of hundreds of applications for Phase 1 of the Regional Technology and Innovation Hubs (Tech Hubs) competition, a key piece of President Biden’s Investing in America agenda. In total, 48 states and 3 territories submitted Tech Hubs Phase 1 applications.   Phase 1 of this competition will designate…

SBA: $8 Million in PRIME Grants Awarded to Help Micro-Entrepreneurs

Grants will help 32 organizations with program development and provide training and technical assistance to improve access to capital for economically disadvantaged microentrepreneurs Today, Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman, head of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and the voice for America’s 33 million small businesses in President Biden’s Cabinet, announced the awardees for the 2023 Program for Investment in…

SBA: Implementation Announced for Transformational SBIC Program Reforms

Reforms of SBA’s Small Business Investment Company Address Gaps in Equity and Debt Financing for Underserved and Undercapitalized Small Businesses Effective August 17 Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman announced the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Small Business Investment Company’s (SBIC) Diversification and Growth Final Rule is effective today. Under the new rule, which supports the Biden-Harris Administration’s economic and…

SBA: SBIC Modernization Final Rule Issued to Support Reforms to Transform Public-Private Investment

Small Business Investment Company Program modernization will seed America’s next generation of fund managers while increasing funding for underserved and undercapitalized markets Today, Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman announced the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA)finalized a rule to modernize the Small Business Investment Company (SBIC) Program. Part of President Biden’s Investing in America Agenda, the SBIC Investment Diversification and Growth Rule will…

SBA: New Entrepreneurship Training Course Introduced for Military Spouses

Today, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) launched a new business training program tailored to military spouses entitled “The Military Spouse Pathway to Business Program.” The program supports the recent White House Executive Order 14100, which strengthens economic opportunity for military and Veteran spouses, caregivers, and survivors.  “The Biden-Harris Administration is working hard to create more economic opportunities for military families,…

SBA: 2023 Growth Accelerator Fund Competition Stage One Winners Announced

Opportunity for organizations to partner with Stage One winners in Stage Two for up to $5 million in total additional prizes to strengthen innovation ecosystems nationwide Today, Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman announced the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) 2023 Growth Accelerator Fund Competition Stage One “Catalyze” winners to fund and build strategic ecosystem partnerships for forty organizations across the…

EDA: First Economic Development District Designated in Puerto Rico

Today, U.S. Deputy Secretary of Commerce and Puerto Rico Economic Growth CoordinatorDon Graves announced that the Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) has designated the first regional Economic Development District (EDD) in Puerto Rico, the Southern Puerto Rico Economic Development District (SPREDD). “President Biden is committed to ensuring that no community or demographic group is excluded from…

SBA: Virtual Military Spouse Entrepreneur Summit Scheduled for May 25th

The U.S. Small Business Administration’s Office of Veterans Business Development will host a virtual Military Spouse Entrepreneur Summit in collaboration with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s Hiring Our Heroes on Thursday, May 25, from 1-3:30 p.m. ET. This event furthers the priorities set forth by First Lady Jill Biden’s Joining Forces initiative. This free event will connect military spouses with…

SBA: New Development and Improvements on Loan Program Modernization Announced to Expand Access to Capital for Small Businesses

Program Improvements will expand access to capital for small businesses, especially small-dollar loans, and increase protection against fraud as part of rulemaking finalized in April Today, following the recent finalization of two new rules aimed at closing gaps in capital access for America’s small business owners, Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman, head of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and the…