Business Services
The Massachusetts Small Business Development Center provides no-cost, confidential and individualized business advising, technical assistance and training programs to prospective and existing for-profit small businesses throughout the Commonwealth.
With multiple locations across the state,
there is an Massachusetts SBDC advisory or satellite office located
within 30 minutes of any potential client in the state. The
Massachusetts SBDC provides specialized services
in the areas of international trade, SBIR and federal procurement
technical assistance which further augment services.
A full-time staff of business advisors, supported by the resources of their host academic institutions, provides no-cost, confidential assistance to small businesses. Services are delivered statewide through a network of six regional centers and two specialty programs. Massachusetts SBDC advising is offered both virtually and in-person.
Business advisors have years of experience helping small businesses succeed! Services are not available at the State Office. Please complete our Request for Advising prior to your first appointment.
Areas of assistance include, but are not
limited to:
Start-up Businesses
Business Plan
Development
Financial Plan
Development
Marketing and Sales
Strategies
Cash Flow Analysis
Organizational Issues
International Trade Assistance
Government
Procurement Assistance
SBIR Assistance
Preventure Clients: If you are in the early stages of exploring and developing a business idea and have not yet officially launched or generated revenue, you will be required to take our 2-hour online "How to Start a Business" training series prior to booking an appointment with an advisor. If this applies to you, once your Request for Advising is processed, you will receive an email with a link to the training series.
SBDC services are provided in a nondiscriminatory way to all legal
residents and citizens in the U.S.
Outreach Locations
To better serve the Massachusetts small business community, the Massachusetts SBDC has offsite business advisory locations (outreach sites) in conjunction with chambers of commerce and economic development entities. In addition to office hours at the regional centers, services are provided at the outreach sites. For most small businesses this means that Massachusetts SBDC services are no further than 30 minutes away. Appointments are made on an as-needed basis at these locations.
Business Training
The Massachusetts SBDC conducts online and in-person training addressing a wide range of concerns for both start-up and existing businesses. Training is offered at no cost or a nominal fee. Many programs are cosponsored with local chambers of commerce, colleges and universities, community development organizations, banks and trade associations.
Our training events are supported by federal taxpayer funds. By registering, you certify that you are legally authorized to receive services funded by U.S. taxpayer dollars, in accordance with applicable federal law and Executive Order 14218 ‘Ending Taxpayer Subsidization of Open Borders’ (February 19, 2025).
Please visit our statewide training page for a complete listing of training currently offered by the Massachusetts SBDC offices.