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About the Pennsylvania SBDC

  1. What is the Penn State Small Business Development Center?
  2. How can the Penn State SBDC help someone just thinking of starting a business?
  3. Do you have to be in business to use the services of the Penn State Small Business Development Center?
  4. My business has been established for some time. How can the Penn State SBDC help me?
  5. Can I get help from the Penn State SBDC if my business is set up as a not-for-profit business?
  6. What can I expect from my Penn State SBDC consultant?
  7. Does the Penn State SBDC charge for its services?
  8. Who pays for the SBDC program?
  1. What is the Penn State Small Business Development Center?
    The Penn State SBDC program provides no-cost confidential consulting and low-cost training in proven management fundamentals, helping small business owners and potential entrepreneurs make sound decisions for the successful operation of their business. The Penn State SBDC is one of eighteen accredited SBDCs in Pennsylvania, and one of more than a thousand centers found nationwide.
  2. How can the Penn State SBDC help someone just thinking of starting a business?
    The Penn State SBDC offers Entrepreneurial Assessment, Pre-Business, and Business Planning seminars for those individuals who want general information on starting a business, or who are in the initial start-up phase. SBDC consultants can then help you with the details of turning your plan into a successful reality.
  3. Do you have to be in business to use the services of the Penn State Small Business Development Center ?
    No. You only have to be considering the idea of opening a business or researching the feasibility of a proposed profit-making venture.
  4. My business has been established for some time. How can the Penn State SBDC help me?
    The Penn State SBDC provides an array of consulting services to established businesses, including one-on-one consulting in business planning, marketing and promotion, financial analysis, accounting, record keeping, human resources, strategic planning, and new market diversification. In addition, a Procurement Technical Assistance program is available for companies that want to bid on government contracts, and an International Business program is available for firms that want to enter into or expand in the global marketplace. The Environmental Management Assistance Program provides improvements to your bottom line through pollution prevention, energy efficiency, and strategic environmental management. The Technology Commercialization Assistance Program assists high-growth and technology firms with sophisticated business management issues. The Penn State SBDC helps businesses in all stages.
  5. Can I get help from the Penn State SBDC if my business is set up as a not-for-profit business?
    Because of the SBDC's funding guidelines, the Penn State SBDC is not able to assist businesses that are established as not-for-profit.
  6. What can I expect from my Penn State SBDC consultant?
    At your initial meeting, your consultant will review your business needs or proposal, determine a course of action, and identify areas that both of you will be responsible for completing. Your consultant will then follow up with an engagement letter detailing your meeting and listing the items that both of you will be working on, along with an estimated time frame for completion, and anticipated outcomes.
  7. Does the Penn State SBDC charge for its services?
    The management and technical assistance services are provided at no charge to the client. Nominal fees are generally charged for training seminars and special events.
  8. Who pays for the SBDC program?
    The Penn State SBDC is part of a statewide network of colleges and university centers that is a joint venture of federal, state, and private-sector agencies and organizations, including the U.S. Small Business Administration and the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development. Each agency, along with the host university, contributes to the financial support of the program.

Learn more about the Pennsylvania SBDC funding partners.

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Page last modified on Tuesday, August 28, 2007