Massachusetts Small Business Development Center Network

 

What services does the Massachusetts SBDC provide?

  

Each year thousands of small businesses benefit from the advising and educational programs offered by the Massachusetts Small Business Development Center.

 
The Massachusetts SBDC is the leader in providing small business owners and entrepreneurs in Massachusetts with the tools and guidance needed to become successful in today's challenging economic climate. We provide no-cost and confidential one-to-one business advice to prospective and existing small businesses focusing on, business growth and strategies, financing and loan assistance as well as strategic, marketing and operational analysis. In addition, affordable educational training programs are offered across the state targeted to the needs of small business.

This is achieved through three integrated product lines:

  • Business Advisory Services

  • International Trade Assistance

  • Government Contracting

Services are delivered through a statewide network of skilled professionals supported by a vast network of federal, state, educational and private sector partners. With six regional offices and outreach locations across the state, services are available within 30-minutes of most potential clients in the state.

 
Business Advisory Services

A full-time staff of business advisors, supported by the resources of their host academic institutions, provides no-direct-cost business assistance to small businesses. Services are delivered statewide through a network of six regional centers, as well as specialty resources—Massachusetts Export Center, Government Sales Advisory Program and the Massachusetts APEX Accelerator (formerly PTAC). Advisory services are not provided at the State Office.


 

Business Training

The Massachusetts SBDC conducts no-cost and low-cost seminars, workshops, webinars and conferences addressing a wide range of concerns for both new and existing businesses. Many of these programs are cosponsored with local chambers of commerce, colleges and universities, community development organizations, banks and trade associations. Topics range from how to start a business to exporting to learning to sell to the government.

 
 
Quality Control and Accountability    

The Massachusetts SBDC places great importance on monitoring and measuring the quality and economic impact of the services that we provide. Below are measures that we have in place to ensure that we are focusing on our mission and delivering the best service possible to small businesses in Massachusetts.

  • Individual staff members are assigned annual deliverables across a number of different areas, including: number of clients assisted; number of direct business advisory hours provided to clients; number of long-term clients assisted; training programs organized; economic impact generated; and more.

  • Advisory staff members are required to receive at least 24 hours of professional development training each year to ensure that they are staying current on the latest business trends and issues affecting clients.

  • All clients are surveyed by the Massachusetts SBDC - State Office for overall satisfaction and quality control.

  • All clients receiving five or more hours of business assistance are surveyed annually by a third party researcher to gather economic impact.

  • Annual programmatic reviews are conducted by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).

  • Accreditation reviews are conducted every five years by America's SBDC. Accreditation standards meet the Baldrige National Quality Program requirements.

  • Financial reviews are conducted every two years by SBA examiners.

 
 
Who is involved in the program?

The Massachusetts SBDC is built on partnerships, including the U.S. Small Business Administration, the Massachusetts Office of Business Development, higher educational institutions (University of Massachusetts Amherst, Clark University and Salem State University), the U.S. Department of Defense, as well as private organizations, economic development groups and local chambers of commerce.

   
 
How is the program structured?

The Massachusetts SBDC is a statewide organization with six regional offices located strategically throughout Massachusetts, as well as three specialty centers — the Massachusetts Export Center, Government Sales Advisory Program/SBIR and the Massachusetts APEX Accelerator. Massachusetts SBDC business advisors also deliver services through outreach sites, including chambers of commerce, community development corporations and economic development organizations.


What is the impact of the budget contributed by the Commonwealth to the MSBDC and why is it a good investment?

Fiscal Year 2024 (October 1, 2023 - September 30, 2024)

  • Massachusetts SBDC provided business assistance to 3,155 advising clients and training assistance to 4,132 attendees in FY24.

  • Massachusetts SBDC advisory services helped secure over $103.9 million in financing for small business clients in FY24.

  • Massachusetts SBDC advisory services helped to increase clients' total sales by $109.6 million in FY24.

  • Massachusetts SBDC services provided by the Massachusetts Export Center helped increase sales to almost $55 million in export sales in FY24.

  • Massachusetts SBDC services provided by the Government Sales Advisory Program contributed to clients securing over $14.5 million in federal procurement contracts in FY24.

  • Massachusetts SBDC advisory services contributed to over 2,100 jobs created and retained in Massachusetts based on financing secured for clients.

  • Massachusetts SBDC clients generated $10.14 million in total tax revenue ($1.66 million in federal tax revenue and $8.48 million in Massachusetts tax revenue).*

  • Massachusetts SBDC clients increased sales levels by 51.8% compared to a 6.1% increase in sales for Massachusetts businesses in general.*

* Figure based on results of a 2024 survey conducted by Dr. James Chrisman on the impact of Massachusetts SBDC services received by clients receiving five or more hours of assistance in 2022.


View our latest impact and achievements.


 

Why are Massachusetts SBDC services so important to the economy?

State revenues are dependent upon sales, income and employment taxes paid by small businesses. The Massachusetts SBDC assists startup and existing businesses to manage cash flow, bolster revenue streams, and increase sales and employment which contribute to the economic growth and stability of the Commonwealth.

  

Mission Statement & Vision

Massachusetts SBDC educates and empowers our clients so they can build profitable businesses. Our vision is to be the premier resource for small business growth in Massachusetts.