1 INITIAL STARTUP CONSIDERATIONS
DC SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CENTERS
The DC Small Business Development Centers (DC SBDC)
network provides DC-based businesses with no cost,
confidential one-on-one business counseling, specialized
training, and other forms of technical assistance that
help businesses in all phases of development. DC SBDC's
trained and skilled business consultants provide specialized
counseling and management assistance around a myriad
of technical areas, including the development of business
strategy and planning, positioning firms to win government
contracts, and obtaining the critical financing needed
for growth.
The DC SBDC network is a resource partner of the
U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) hosted at
various centers and training facilities throughout the
District of Columbia. The DC SBDC network provides
its free services to businesses (and individuals starting
businesses) by strategically partnering with other
universities, nonprofits, community development
corporations, and governmental organizations committed
to serving small businesses.
DC SBDC LEAD CENTER AT THE HOWARD UNIVERSITY
SCHOOL OF BUSINESS
2600 6th Street NW, Washington, DC 20059
(202) 806-1550 · dcsbdc.org
DC SBDC AT ANACOSTIA ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
CORPORATION (AEDC)
1800 Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue, SE Suite 100, Washington, DC
20020 · (202) 889-5090 · dcsbdc.org
DC SBDC AT DC CHAMBER OF COMMERCE BUSINESS
RESOURCE CENTER
7059 Blair Road, NW Suite 203, Washington, DC 20012
(202) 545-0220
LATINO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CENTER
The Latino Economic Development Center’s (LEDC) Small
Business Development Department equips Latinos and
other underserved local residents with the skills and tools
necessary to launch and grow small businesses. LEDC
offers one-on-one small business coaching and English and
Spanish-language trainings on diverse topics, including
starting a business, business planning, financial management,
incorporation, licensing and permitting, accounting,
marketing, and social media. The LEDC also offers loans to
startups and existing businesses from $1,000 to $50,000, and
in 2017 provided 183 loans to small businesses. 641 S Street,
NW, Washington, DC 20001
(202) 588-5102 · inbusiness@ledcmetro.org · ledcmetro.org
DC DOING BUSINESS GUIDE 2018/2019 13
SB WORKS
SB Works is a small business advocate and resource nonprofit
focused on providing small businesses with professional
technical assistance, affordable consultants, and networking
opportunities. SB Works helps owners protect and promote
their dreams and aspirations while maintaining a healthy
small business lifestyle. 5 Points Business Center is SB
Work’s shared office center and business-focused community
space that provides not only an affordable and professional
work space, but also functions as a resource center for small
businesses. Hosting educational events, trainings, on-site
consultants, and networking opportunities, 5 Points is a
comprehensive service center for the small business owner.
2316 Rhode Island Ave NE, Washington, DC 20018
(202) 803-5400 · sbworksdc.org · info@sbworksdc.org
info@5pointsdc.com
U.S. SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) makes the
American dream of business ownership a reality. Established
by Congress in 1953, the SBA is the only go-to resource and
voice for small businesses backed by the strength of the
federal government. The SBA empowers entrepreneurs and
small business owners to succeed with access to capital and
the right expertise for each stage of the business lifecycle.
Through its network of resource partners and online
trainings, the SBA provides free or low-cost counseling and
other information to assist you in starting and growing your
operations. For example, SCORE (formerly known as Service
Corps of Retired Executives) is a non-profit organization
comprised of experienced entrepreneurs, who volunteer
to provide free, one-on-one counseling to aspiring and
existing business owners. SCORE also offers live workshops
and online resources to help entrepreneurs manage their
operations more efficiently and effectively. Schedule a free
mentoring session with an industry expert and explore all
the training that your local SCORE chapter has to offer at
washingtondc.score.org.
The SBA’s Washington Metropolitan Area District Office
(WMADO) covers the District of Columbia, Northern
Virginia, and Suburban Maryland, including Montgomery
County and Prince George’s County.
Search for SBA’s local resource partners by visiting
sba.gov/tools/local-assistance.
/dcsbdc.org
/dcsbdc.org
/ledcmetro.org
/sbworksdc.org
/washingtondc.score.org
/local-assistance
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