Counseling

Explore local resources, expert guides, tools, training, and events designed to help small entrepreneurs start and grow businesses, win federal contracts, and branch into exporting.

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SBA supports small businesses and entrepreneurs at every stage. Our training programs combine practical guidance with real-world experience to help small business owners, service members & military spouses, executives, and businesses looking to grow through government contracting build sustainable, compliant, and competitive organizations. Train online, or search for upcoming events in your area.

Local assistance

SBA and our network of partners offer free or low-cost counseling and resources, targeted support and export assistance. Find an SBA Resource Partner near you.

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Get free guidance from SBA experts and partners to navigate federal contracting and grow your small business.

Procurement Center Representatives (PCRs) are SBA professionals who serves as the SBA’s front-line advocate to ensure that all qualified small businesses are afforded the maximum opportunity to compete for federal contracting.

Commercial Market Representatives (CMRs) ensure small businesses get their fair share of opportunities as subcontractors. They monitor and support compliance with small-business subcontracting plans, along with teaching agencies and primes about these requirements.

Need help?

  • Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs): One-on-one and low-cost training on contracting, market research, and program support (e.g., 8(a)).
  • Subcontracting Program Assistance (SPA): Tools and guidance to match primes with small subcontractors and help navigate subcontracting relationships.
  • SBA Learning Center: Free online courses and videos to build contracting know-how.
  • APEX Accelerators (formerly PTACs): Help determine readiness, register for procurement systems, pursue opportunities, and find bids.
  • SCORE: Free counseling and workshops from volunteer business mentors.

Find out how to turn your small business into an export company, grow profits, and access two-thirds of the world’s purchasing power with SBA programs, research, tips and training. SBA Trade Tools helps you learn about our export finance programs, how to develop your export plan, identify your market, and know the laws and regulations of your exporting country. You can find training on international trade from a variety of government and non-governmental sources.