An Economy Built to Last Starts with Small Business

Bo Davis was a student at George Washington University when he developed the technology behind Blackboard,  an online course manager now used by millions of college students.  Three SBA-backed loans later, Davis is now expanding another successful business venture, Wasabi sushi restaurants – and he’s still working with SBA to help him create jobs and expand.  When Davis started his company, he didn’t have the deep pockets that competitors had; but SBA was there to help put him on a level playing field with larger competitors.

Today at George Washington University in Washington, DC, SBA Administrator Karen Mills discussed how an economy built to last is rooted in entrepreneurs – and how SBA can help students launch their ideas and succeed in the marketplace.

Above: SBA Administrator Karen Mills sits down with the panel at George Washington University. Photo credit: Jessica McConnell Burt / The George Washington University.

The event, one in a series of panels at universities across the country, will showcase the importance of student entrepreneurs and SBA’s resources to help college-affiliated entrepreneurs start and succeed.

Here are some ways SBA is helping student entrepreneurs get started:

• Providing free business counseling at universities in all 50 states through the Small Business Development Centers network.
• Improving the start-up to IPO process for fast-growing companies and simplifying accounting regulations with the Startup America Partnership.
• Helping cutting-edge technologies get to market through research and development grants from the SBIR program.
• Supporting a loan portfolio of $90 billion dollars – including funding for starting up, buying equipment, expanding hiring, research and development, and much more. 
• Ensuring that innovate small companies get their share of government contracts.