U.S. Small Business Administration and Business Forward Announce Launch of the “Small Business Digital Alliance”
New Venture Will Convene Major Tech Companies, Players to Provide Small Businesses Free Access to Tools to Expand E-Commerce Footprint
The
U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and
Business Forward, Inc., a non-profit organization working with small business leaders in support of policies promoting America’s economic competitiveness, announced the launch of
the Small Business Digital Alliance (SBDA). A joint public-private co-sponsorship, the SBDA will connect small businesses with critical tech resources to start and expand their e-commerce business to scale for success. The new initiative will also feature
a series of free briefings and training to help small businesses access and utilize these digital tools to reach new markets, find diverse talent, improve operations, and raise capital.
Beyond access to technical skills development and tools, the SBDA will play a significant role in helping entrepreneurs expand their networks, a key component for small businesses as they seek new customers and stronger relationships with vendors, lenders,
and other stakeholders needed for success. Specifically, through the SBDA, the SBA and Business Forward will convene some of America’s most respected leaders in business, government, economic development, and other aligned spaces to facilitate cooperation
and help small business owners fully harness the power of technology to fuel growth.
Small businesses depend on a comprehensive suite of tools to expand their customer base, manage their growth, find and retain talent, and enter new markets, including globally, but often encounter obstacles. Aligned with the Biden-Harris Administration’s focus
on equity and leveling the playing field, the collaboration with Business Forward through the SBDA will prioritize creating access to competitive opportunities and lowering barriers to entry for small businesses, especially those from historically underserved
and disadvantaged communities across the country.
The SBA and Business Forward, along with Members of the SBDA, will also host a series of joint virtual and in-person events across the nation to include policy briefings on small business trends and showcase the digital tools small businesses can take advantage
of — free of charge. A list of Members of the Small Business Digital Alliance will be released in the coming weeks. We encourage any and all companies interested in supporting small businesses with trainings, insights, and free digital tools to contact us
to become part of SBDA at
info@smallbusinessdigitalalliance.com.
SBA Administrator Guzman Announces New Pilot Program to Bolster Cybersecurity Infrastructure of Emerging Small Businesses
SBA will Award $3M in Grants to Help States, Entrepreneurs Combat Rise in Cyber Attacks and Threats
Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman, head of the
U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), announced $3 million in new funding for state governments to help emerging small businesses across America develop their cybersecurity infrastructure – a priority of the Biden-Harris Administration,
outlined in the President’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL). As part of the Cybersecurity for Small Business Pilot Program, through the Office of Entrepreneurial Development, state governments are eligible to compete for grants that will help deliver
cybersecurity assistance to nascent and start-up business owners. Applications will be accepted from January 26, 2022, through March 3, 2022.
“Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, small businesses have adopted technology at high rates to survive, operate, and grow their businesses. As a result, cybersecurity has become increasingly important as now, more than ever before, small business owners face
cyber risks and challenges that could disrupt their operations and competitive advantages. As we seek to build a stronger and more inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystem, we must innovate and provide resources to meet the evolving needs of the growing number
of small businesses. With this new funding opportunity, the SBA intends on leveraging the strengths across our state governments, territories, and tribal governments to provide services to help small businesses get cyber ready and, in the process, fortify
our nation’s supply chains,” said
SBA Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman.
About the Cybersecurity for Small Business Pilot Program
Eligible applicants are comprised of state governments that seek to provide training, counseling, remediation, and other tailored cybersecurity services for emerging small firms in multiple industries. Grantees will be awarded up to $1 million to assist small
businesses.
Funding details and requirements are available at
Grants.gov under “Cybersecurity for Small Business Pilot” (Funding Opportunity Number SB-OEDCS-22-001/CDFA 59.079) offered by the SBA. Applications must be submitted by the stated deadline on the official grant application portal as stated
in the funding announcement.
To learn more about SBA’s programs and services related to cybersecurity, visit
www.sba.gov/cybersecurity.
USDA Announces New $1.4 Billion Government Guaranteed Loan Program for Food Supply Chain Businesses
Effective immediately, the U.S. Department of Agriculture is forming a Food Supply Chain Guaranteed Loan Program. The program is intended to expand access to financing for food systems infrastructure and create a more diverse and secure food supply chain in
the United States. Funding will be available for applicants involved in aspects of the food chain such as aggregation, processing, manufacturing, storage, transportation, wholesale, or distribution of food.
Loan amounts, rates, and terms for the Food Supply Chain Guaranteed Loan Program are:
• $40 million maximum loan amount and no minimum loan amount
• 90% guarantee if the interest rate is fixed for the life of the loan at no greater than current WSJ Prime plus 200 basis points
• 80% guarantee for all other loans
• Loan terms may not exceed 40 years
• No guarantee fees or annual renewal fees
• Available for all rural areas and urban communities anywhere in the US or territories
• Intangible assets can comprise up to 25% of the collateral stack
Applicants must be for-profit or nonprofit businesses, cooperatives, federally-recognized Tribes, public bodies, or food supply chain entrepreneurs.
Find more information: Click
Here
NC SBIR/STTR
Session One: NC SBIR/STTR Match and Incentive Programs
Join John Hardin and David Kaiser of the NC Board of Science, Technology and Innovation for an informative discussion about the One North Carolina Small Business Match and Incentive Programs. Learn details about the programs, eligibility criteria, how to apply
and ask questions. Solicitations recently opened for both programs.
Date: Thursday, February 10, 2022
Time: 2PM ET
More information: Match
and Inventive Program
Session Two: SBIR/STTR Federal Funding Programs Overview
Join the SBTDC for a detailed overview of the SBIR / STTR federal R&D funding mechanisms for small businesses. In this 60 minute webinar, we will help you to understand:
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Funding levels and phased process
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Participating agencies
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How to identify agency interests (solicitations)
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Differences between SBIR/STTR
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Important content to include in a proposal
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Key points to increase competitiveness
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Resources to assist you
Date: Tuesday, February 15, 2022
Time: 2PM ET
Speakers: John Ujvari, SBIR/STTR Program Specialist
Helpful Links
Disaster (EIDL loans or advances/grants): DisasterCustomerService@sba.gov or (833) 853-5638.
SBA
PPP Webpage
To report waste, fraud, or abuse: OIG hotline (800) 767-0385 or OIGHotline@sba.gov
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