Support Georgia’s Small Businesses

Support Georgia’s Small Businesses

The University of Georgia Small Business Development Center (UGA SBDC) provides tools, training and resources to help small businesses grow and succeed. UGA's public service mission guides this team to work alongside Georgia's business owners by offering services are either no-cost to the business owner or at a significantly reduced rate.

UGA SBDC IMPACT

With 18 offices across the state, whether business owners are looking to develop a plan or take what they have to the next level, we are here to help move them forward. Over the last five years, we have helped to bring in $9.5 billion dollars in sales, assisted in starting 2,178 new businesses, created 14,933 new jobs and raised $1.11 billion dollars in capital for SBDC clients.

Our one-on-one consulting is available at no-cost to business owners, and our training programs are low to no-cost.

97% of our clients recommend SBDC services

SUPPORT OUR SIGNATURE PROGRAMS

  • GROWSMART
    GrowSmart helps business leaders move their companies forward by building a foundation for growth. In full and half day sessions, leaders learn to analyze and manage business operations as well as to identify and target new markets. Since its inception, over 2,000 small business owners have participated in this statewide series.

  • STARTSMART
    StartSmart is an eight module program delivered over a four week period targeted to new business owners and is delivered entirely online. Being mindful of the financial restrictions faced by new businesses, the StartSmart programs is underwritten by private gifts, keeping it affordable and accessible to newcomers.

  •  MULTICULTURAL BUSINESS DIVISON
    The UGA SBDC is home to the Multicultural Business Division (MBD), a unit designed to help underserved businesses grow through training and consultation. Programs offered are specifically designed to meet the challenges faces by today’s multicultural business leaders. Training programs include the annual Multicultural Business Summit, focused on government procurement.
     
  • EXPORTGA
    ExportGA is a program offered to business owners interested in expanding into international markets. Owners and employees are trained at finding profitable export markets, developing distribution channels, understanding foreign and U.S. regulatory issues, pricing products, submitting international quotations, processing accounts receivable, and recognizing legal and cultural considerations. 

SUPPORT AT WORK

The Eric Stanley Bonaparte Award Endowment Fund

After 26 years with the University of Georgia Small Business Development Center, Eric Bonaparte retired – but his contributions to the UGA SBDC would continue. Together with his sister Carol Bonaparte, Eric gifted funds to UGA to create the Eric Stanley Bonaparte Award Endowment Fund. The fund was established to provide ongoing financial support for annual Consultant of the Year and Support Staff of the Year awards.

The NEXT Best Thing Fund

After serving as area director at the UGA SBDC in Rome, Richard Montanaro, Jr. made a charitable gift to help assess the needs of small business owners across the state of Georgia. This gift, combined with a matching gift from the UGA Foundation Trustees, established The Next Best Thing Fund. These resources will allow the SBDC to partner with local community stakeholders, particularly in rural areas, to conduct region-specific needs assessments targeted at business owners. These assessments will determine which classes and trainings will be most effective in promoting small business growth.

MORE INFORMATION

Contact: (706) 542-8941