Small Business Resources

Section 108 provides communities with a source of financing for economic development, housing rehabilitation, public facilities, and large-scale physical development projects. 

The mission of the Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE) is to provide the best free, confidential one-on-one counseling and educational services to the Greater Austin small business community.

Shared Capital Cooperative is a national loan fund and federally certified Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) that provides financing to cooperative businesses and housing throughout the United States. 

The SIMS Foundation provides mental health and substance use recovery services and support for musicians, music industry professionals, and their dependent family members. Through education, community partnerships, and accessible managed care, SIMS seeks to destigmatize and reduce mental health and substance use issues, while supporting and enhancing the wellbeing of the music community at large.

Six Square Austin's Black Cultural District comprises approximately six square miles of central east Austin.  

SMBR assist local businesses with bonding needs, Disadvantaged, Minority and Woman Owned Business Enterprise certification, and a plan room that provides drawings from the City of Austin and other local public and private entities. 

The U.S. Small Business Administration has delivered millions of loans, loan guarantees, contracts, counseling sessions and other forms of assistance to small businesses. 

The SBA is providing a financial reprieve to small businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Federal disaster loans for businesses, private nonprofits, homeowners, and renters. 

Emergency assistance for eligible venues affected by the COVID pandemic. 

Small Business Administration offers training materials to understand the disaster recovery process after a disaster has occured. 

Additional business resources from the the Small Business Administration. 

The mission of the Small Business Division is to foster job creation and support the growth of new and existing businesses by providing capacity building information, tools, and resources.

The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program is a highly competitive program that encourages domestic small businesses to engage in Federal Research / Research and Development that has the potential for commercialization. 

Small Business Investment Company program facilitates the flow of long-term capital to small businesses.  

The Small Business Lending Fund provide up to $30 billion in capital to qualified banks and other targeted lenders with assets of less than $10 billion. 

Austin Energy offers small business and small non-profit customers up to an 80% discount to install high-efficiency lighting. 

The Small Business Technology Transfer is a program that expands funding opportunities in federal innovation research and development.  

SMP's mission is to advocate for, educate and connect leaders in the building industry. 

The Souly Austin District Incubator aims to support the creation and retention of stable, organized commercial districts through the formation of merchants associations. 

In partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts and the State Arts Agencies of Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee — with additional funding from other public and private donors such as the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation, the Ford Foundation, and The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation — South Arts supports artists and organizations through a rich and responsive portfolio of grants, fellowships, and programs.

Campaign for Southern Equality has created a rapid response grant round to quickly route funds to individuals, families, and community organizations across the LGBTQ South. The grant round will be distributed through CSE’s Southern Equality Fund.