SCORE — Service Corps of Retired Executives
SCORE is a nonprofit organization partnered with the SBA that provides free mentoring from retired executives, business owners, and professionals. Founded in 1964, SCORE has helped more than 11 million entrepreneurs. Mentors are matched to your industry and business stage — a mentor who ran a $10M manufacturing company for 30 years is a very different resource than reading a book about it. SCORE offers mentoring in all 50 states, virtually or in person.
One-on-one mentoringOngoing, free sessions with an experienced mentor in your industry. Virtual or in-person.
Business plan reviewMentors help you evaluate and strengthen your business plan for funding applications or bank loans.
Live workshops & webinarsFree workshops on marketing, finance, hiring, taxes, exit planning, digital tools, and more.
Free templates & guidesBusiness plan templates, financial projection templates, marketing guides — all free at score.org/resources.
Find your SCORE mentor: score.org → "Find a Mentor" → enter your ZIP code → browse mentors by industry expertise → request a meeting. First session is always free. SCORE mentors also work with businesses in preparation for SBA loan applications.
SBDC — Small Business Development Centers
SBDCs are a national network of business advisory centers funded primarily by the SBA and hosted by universities, community colleges, and economic development agencies. SBDC consultants are professional, paid staff — not volunteers. They specialize in financial analysis, business plan development, loan packaging, and market research. SBDCs are particularly valuable for businesses preparing an SBA loan application — SBDC consultants regularly help package SBA 7(a) submissions.
Free business consultingOne-on-one professional consulting on any business topic — financials, marketing, operations, technology, regulatory compliance.
SBA loan preparationSBDCs help businesses build their SBA application package — financial projections, business plan, assumptions narrative, and document checklist.
Market research accessSBDC clients get access to IBISWorld, ReferenceUSA, and D&B databases — worth hundreds of dollars — for free through their center.
Workshops on specific topicsLow-cost or free workshops: QuickBooks training, social media marketing, tax basics, export assistance, government contracting.
Find your SBDC: americassbdc.org → "Find your SBDC" → enter state or ZIP → contact for a free appointment. SBDC consulting is almost always entirely free to the business owner — funded by SBA grants.
WBC — Women's Business Centers
Women's Business Centers are SBA-funded nonprofit organizations dedicated to helping women entrepreneurs start and grow their businesses. WBCs serve all clients regardless of gender but specialize in programs, workshops, and networks specifically designed for women business owners — including Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB) federal certification, access to women-focused grants, and peer networks of women entrepreneurs.
Business consulting & mentoringFree or low-cost one-on-one consulting and mentoring specifically tailored for women entrepreneurs.
WOSB certification supportHelp navigating Women-Owned Small Business federal contracting certification — required to compete for WOSB set-aside contracts.
Women-focused networksPeer learning groups, networking events, and access to women-focused angel investors and grant programs.
Minority women's programsMany WBCs have specific programming for minority women entrepreneurs including specialized loan programs and grant access.
Find your WBC: sba.gov/local-assistance/resource-partners/womens-business-centers → enter your ZIP code. Also search for local organizations: National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO), Women's Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC).
VBOC — Veteran Business Outreach Centers
Veteran Business Outreach Centers provide entrepreneurship training and business development services specifically for service members, veterans, National Guard and Reserve members, and their spouses. VBOCs offer pre-business training, mentoring, business plan development, and help accessing veteran-specific SBA programs including the SBA's Boots to Business program and veteran-focused SBA loan programs.
Boots to BusinessFree SBA entrepreneurship training for transitioning service members — available on military installations during the Transition Assistance Program (TAP).
Veteran business consultingFree one-on-one consulting on business planning, financing, and connecting to veteran-specific resources.
SDVOSB certification helpService-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) federal contracting certification guidance.
SBA veteran programsAccess to SBA's Veteran Advantage loan fee reduction, SBA Express program priority for veterans, and SBA Patriot Express (while active).
Find your VBOC: sba.gov/local-assistance/resource-partners/veteran-business-outreach-centers → enter ZIP code. Also connect with your state's Department of Veterans Affairs small business office.
MBDA Business Centers — Minority Business Development Agency
MBDA Business Centers are funded by the U.S. Department of Commerce's Minority Business Development Agency to provide specialized assistance to minority-owned businesses. MBDA focuses on helping minority-owned businesses access capital, contracts, and markets — particularly for larger, growth-oriented businesses. Unlike SCORE or SBDC which serve all businesses, MBDA is specifically chartered to serve African American, Asian American, Hispanic American, and Native American-owned businesses.
Capital accessMBDA Business Centers help minority-owned businesses navigate financing options including bank loans, SBA programs, CDFIs, private equity, and corporate procurement finance.
Contract accessAssistance with federal contracting, supplier diversity programs at Fortune 500 companies, NMSDC (National Minority Supplier Development Council) certification.
Market expansionHelp with export assistance, finding new markets, and connecting to corporate supplier diversity teams that are actively seeking minority-owned suppliers.
Larger deal sizesMBDA focuses on minority-owned businesses seeking larger opportunities (typically $250K+ financing deals and $500K+ contracts) vs. micro-enterprise support.
Find your MBDA Business Center: mbda.gov/centers → enter your city or state. Also connect with: National Minority Supplier Development Council (nmsdc.org), U.S. Black Chambers (usblackchambers.org), U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (ushcc.com).
Specialty Programs by Business Type
Minority-Owned Businesses
Eligible: African American, Asian American, Hispanic American, Native American
- MBDA Business Centers (mbda.gov)
- NMSDC Certification (nmsdc.org) — access to corporate supplier diversity
- SBA 8(a) Business Development Program — 9-year mentoring + set-aside contracts
- US Black Chambers (usblackchambers.org)
- US Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (ushcc.com)
- CDFIs specializing in minority lending (Accion, LiftFund)
Women-Owned Businesses
Eligible: 51%+ women-owned and controlled
- Women's Business Centers — 100+ locations (sba.gov/wbc)
- WOSB Certification — federal set-aside contracts (sba.gov/wosb)
- NAWBO — National Assoc. of Women Business Owners (nawbo.org)
- WBENC Certification — corporate supplier diversity (wbenc.org)
- Tory Burch Foundation — grants and mentoring (toryburchfoundation.org)
- Amber Grant — $10,000 monthly grants for women entrepreneurs
Veteran-Owned Businesses
Eligible: Veterans, National Guard, Reservists, military spouses
- VBOC — Veteran Business Outreach Centers (sba.gov/vboc)
- Boots to Business — transition entrepreneurship training
- SDVOSB Certification — federal set-aside contracts for service-disabled vets
- Hirepurpose — career and business development for veterans
- SBA Veteran Advantage — reduced SBA loan fees for veteran borrowers
- Bunker Labs — national network of veteran entrepreneurs
Startups (Under 2 Years Old)
Eligible: businesses in pre-revenue to early revenue stage
- SCORE mentoring — particularly strong for pre-launch businesses
- SBDC — business plan development for startup loan applications
- SBA Microloan program — up to $50K, specifically for newer businesses
- CDFI microloans — $1K–$50K with flexible credit requirements
- Local SBDC small business incubators — some offer office space
- State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI) — state-level capital access
Free Online Training and Learning Resources
| Resource | What It Covers | Cost | Where to Find It |
|---|---|---|---|
| SBA Learning Center | Business planning, marketing, government contracting, cybersecurity, exporting. Self-paced online courses with certificates. | Free | sba.gov/learning-center |
| SCORE Workshops & Webinars | Hundreds of free live and recorded webinars on every business topic. Templates and guides also free. | Free | score.org/resources |
| SBDC Local Workshops | Topic-specific workshops: QuickBooks, social media marketing, tax preparation, export compliance. Usually low-cost ($25–75). | Free–$75 | americassbdc.org/find-your-sbdc |
| MOBI — My Own Business Institute | Free accredited online business certificate program at Santa Clara University. 16-session curriculum covering all aspects of starting and running a business. | Free | mobi.org |
| Coursera / edX Small Business Courses | University courses on business finance, marketing, entrepreneurship. Many are free to audit; certificates are paid ($49–$299). | Free to audit | coursera.org, edx.org |
| IRS Small Business Tax Center | Free online tax education specifically for small businesses — employment taxes, quarterly payments, business deductions, self-employment tax. | Free | irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed |
| GrowthWheel Online | Business development tool used by many SBDCs — structured self-assessment and planning system for growing businesses. | Free through SBDC | Available via SBDC enrollment |
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is SCORE and how do I get a free mentor?
- SCORE is a nonprofit partnered with the SBA that provides free mentoring from 12,000+ volunteer mentors who are retired or current executives, business owners, and professionals. To get a mentor: visit score.org, search for a chapter near you (all 50 states and virtually), and request a mentor by industry expertise. Mentoring is free, ongoing, and available for all stages of business — pre-launch through exit. SCORE has helped 11 million+ entrepreneurs since 1964. SCORE mentors can also review your business plan and advise on SBA loan preparation.
- What do SBDCs offer and are they really free?
- SBDCs are SBA-funded professional consulting centers hosted at universities and colleges with 900+ locations nationwide. Services are free or very low cost. SBDC consultants specialize in: financial analysis and projections, business plan development, SBA loan application packaging (SBDC clients get better loan packages), market research (free access to IBISWorld, ReferenceUSA, D&B), and specific regulatory guidance. To find your nearest SBDC: americassbdc.org/find-your-sbdc. There is no cost for consulting sessions — they are funded by SBA grants.
- What is the difference between SCORE and an SBDC?
- SCORE: volunteer-based mentoring from retired executives and business owners. The value is experiential wisdom — someone who built a business in your industry can share hard-won lessons. Best for strategic mentoring, peer experience, and ongoing accountability. SBDC: professionally staffed consulting centers. Staff are paid experts in finance, marketing, and operations. Best for technical analysis, SBA loan packaging, financial projections, and market research. Both are free. Many successful business owners use both — SBDC for technical SBA loan preparation, SCORE for strategic mentoring and accountability.
What T.A.G. offers that SCORE and SBDCs cannot — fast capital:
SCORE mentors and SBDC consultants are invaluable for education, planning, and SBA loan preparation. But SBA loans take 45–90 days. When you need capital now — to fund payroll, close a contract, buy equipment, or bridge a cash flow gap — T.A.G. advances $10K–$1M in 24–72 hours based on your revenue history. No business plan. 500 FICO minimum. The ideal path: use SCORE and SBDC to build long-term financial strength and SBA-ready books; use T.A.G. when you need capital before the SBA timeline allows.