Small Business Boot Camp

Talk one-on one with local agencies and organizations that can help you start and grow your business.

Expo registration is also required.

Small Business Participants

Small Business Administration

SBA works to ignite change and spark action so small businesses can confidently start, grow, expand, or recover. They offer the following services:

  • Get business advice from our partnering organizations and experts

  • Find an SBA lender near you to help fund your business.

  • Learn how to find and win small business government contracts.

Small Business Development Center

The Ohio SBDC Network provides one-on-one advising, by Certified Business Advisors, at no cost and conduct no or low-cost business training.

Our Core Services provided include:

  • Free, One-on-One Business Advising

  • Workshops and Training Programs

  • Strategic Business Planning

  • Market Feasibility and Research

  • Marketing Strategy Development

  • Cash Flow Analysis

  • Financial Projections Development

  • Capital Source Identification

  • Business Assessment Valuation

  • Inventory Control Assessment

The Department of Development Minority Business Development Division

The Division works with entrepreneurs and emerging business enterprises to help them achieve scale and market success. The overarching goal is to help small, minority-owned, and disadvantaged businesses contribute to job creation and economic growth in Ohio.

The Centers provide the following services:

  • Accounting assistance

  • Business management counseling

  • Completing federal, state, and local certification applications

  • Contract procurement assistance

  • Estimating/bidding assistance

  • Identifying local resources

  • Loan packaging assistance

  • Marketing plan development

  • Referrals to financial assistance programs

The Columbus Regional Airport Authority administers a Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) program.

The DBE Program objectives are to:

  • Ensure nondiscrimination in the award and administration of federally-assisted contracts.

  • Create a level playing field on which DBEs can compete for federally-assisted contracts.

  • Help remove barriers that affect participation of DBEs in federally-assisted contracts; and

  • Assist the development of firms that can compete successfully in the marketplace outside the DBE Program.

  • Ensure the DBE program is narrowly tailored in accordance with applicable law.

  • Ensure that only firms that fully meet the eligibility standards are permitted to participate as DBEs.

  • Promote the use of DBEs in all types of federally-assisted contracts and procurement activities.

  • Provide appropriate flexibility in establishing and providing opportunities for DBEs.

City of Columbus-Supplier Diversity

The Office of Diversity and Inclusion develops and implements small business programs that encourage the use of a diverse pool of qualified minority, women, veteran contractors and service providers.

The Office of Diversity and Inclusion offers free gender and race-based certification. Becoming a certified M/WBE makes it easier to identify those ready, willing, and able to perform on city contracts.

First Financial Bank

Lending Solutions

When a challenge or opportunity comes up, your business needs access to credit. Sit down with the go-to bank for small business and commercial lending solutions.

Billing and Payment Solutions for Small Business Owners

Discover automatic payment and billing solutions that can boost efficiency and make life as an entrepreneur easier.