Creating the World’s Next Generation of Entrepreneurs

This week marks the celebration of Global Entrepreneurship Week (GEW), an annual initiative taking place around the world with more than 35,000 events in 135 countries.  The events recognize the economic and social contributions of innovative entrepreneurs and bring an unparalleled level of inspiration to those considering a path of entrepreneurship.

As GEW inspires the next generation of entrepreneurs, we here at SBA share an equal commitment to help small businesses to start, grow and create jobs.  Entrepreneurs learn quickly that getting a business successfully off the ground requires building solid relationships and working collaboratively with others who support your vision. The same holds true for SBA in our mission to help entrepreneurs on their journey to achieve their goals, and we have established another connection to help you. 

I’m pleased to announce that SBA has joined with the National Association for Community College Entrepreneurship (NACCE), a non-profit organization, with a common mission to promote economic vitality through entrepreneurship.  This organization has served as the only organization exclusively devoted to the mission of accelerating entrepreneurship through America’s community and technical colleges and has over 300 community colleges as members representing over 1,400 individuals at those colleges.  NACCE is an incredibly important organization, and we’ll work together to strengthen and expand entrepreneurship and small business development in the nation. 

Our collaboration with NACCE will allow us to share resources and experts on topics ranging from government contracting to financing as well as provide information that continually supports small businesses. We see relationships like this one as vital to keeping small businesses thriving.

As part of our salute to GEW and NACCE’s commitment to entrepreneurship, I encourage you to visit SBA’s free online resources for launching your small business.

• Try the assessment tool and discover your level of readiness to start your own business.
• Take the free online course, Young Entrepreneurs: An Essential Guide to Starting Your Own Business, and learn what you need to do to get your business idea off and running.
• Learn more about 10 Steps to Starting a Business.
• Visit SBA’s Local Assistance to find counseling, mentoring and training resources in your area.

Whether your interests include turning your business idea a reality, seeking funding sources or finding new customers, SBA and a broad network of resources are here to help you.