14-City Mentor-Protégé Matchmaker Conference Will Link 8(a) Firms, Mentors and SBA Resource Partners

Are you a small disadvantaged business owner participating in the U.S. Small Business Administration’s 8(a) Business Development program?  Are you interested in learning about opportunities to partner with larger businesses and being mentored by graduates of the 8(a) program on business development and possible federal contract opportunities?

 If your answer is “yes”, then you don’t want to miss SBA’s 14-City Mentor-Protégé Matchmaker Conference coming to a city near you!

 SBA’s Mentor-Protégé Conference -- What is it?

 The SBA is hosting these 14 conferences to introduce 8(a) firms to mentors that can boost their capabilities and help them compete more successfully for federal government contracts.  The forums will give an overview of the SBA’s Mentor Protégé program, a business development tool of SBA’s 8(a) program that encourages mentors to team with a protégé or smaller firm to help them with management and technical assistance, financial assistance and access to joint ventures and federal contracting opportunities. 

 The forums will also:

•  feature a discussion and Q&A session on strategic alliance and joint venture opportunities, and
• provide pre-matched face-to-face meetings and virtual business matchmaking sessions between 250 8(a) firms and 50 mentors based on their compatibility. 

 When is the next Mentor-Protégé Conference?

 The first five matchmaking conferences took place in Washington, D.C., in January; Atlanta and Orlando in February; and Los Angeles and Houston so far in March. Here’s the list of the remaining cities scheduled:

• San Antonio, Texas (March 29)
• Chicago, Ill. (April 5)
• Denver, Colo. (April 11)
• Boston, Mass. (May 10)
• Newark, N.J. (May 23)
• Seattle, Wash. (June 7)
• Kansas City, Mo. (June 21)
• Sacramento, Calif. (July 24)
• Cleveland, Ohio (August 7)

 Who can attend the Mentor-Protégé conference?

 Small disadvantaged businesses can attend the event, but the face-to-face and virtual business matchmaking sessions are reserved for 8(a) firms. The event is free. 

 How can I register for the event?

 Small disadvantaged businesses and 8(a) firms interested in attending must register at: http://sba.mybusinessmatches.com/buyers/generalinfo.

 How do I learn more about SBA’s Mentor-Protégé program?

 For more information about the SBA’s Mentor-Protégé program, visit: www.sba.gov/content/mentor-protégé-program.