Business Resources

In support of small business growth and economic mobility, this compilation of small business resources includes organizations and programs that provide technical assistance, learning and mentoring opportunities, competitive accelerator programs, and organizations that offer grants and loans to small business owners. This list was developed in collaboration with the CLT Alliance Foundation.

Download the Small Business Resource Guide PDF.

Use the menu below to get started.

Technical Assistance Programs

  • Aspire provides current and future business owners with the critical resources to start a business and succeed at it: through training and coaching programs (such as Business Readiness, Community Business Academy, Business Accelerator Services, and Access to Capital) and access to financial resources (through our Micro-Loan Services).

    Learn more by visiting their website.

  • CPCC provides tuition-based courses, a non-degree certificate program, networking events, free seminars, no-cost counseling, and a business resource library for the local business community.

    Learn more by visiting their website.

  • CIC offers various programs and initiatives that help increase creative business know-how and connect creatives across the Charlotte-Mecklenburg area.

    Learn more by visiting their website.

  • CLIMB provides pro bono (free) business law legal services to historically under-represented entrepreneurs and small business owners of limited means. Eligible business owners that are referred by one of their partner organizations (listed on the website) can receive free legal assistance from volunteer lawyers on non-litigation business law matters, such as business formation, contracts, commercial leases, etc.

    Learn more by visiting their website.

  • ReEntry Entrepreneurship Program (REEP) advances Black entrepreneurship by helping to close the racial gap of business ownership utilizing a Learn, Earn, and Build Model, which marries core competencies, digital-tech service skills, and entrepreneurial training to help participants create businesses.

    Learn more by visiting their website.

  • Prospera is an economic development nonprofit organization specializing in providing bilingual assistance to Hispanic entrepreneurs trying to establish or expand their businesses. Services include training, consulting, grants, and access to capital.

    Learn more by visiting their website.

  • SBA has a Charlotte office, and its services include funding programs, counseling, federal contracting certifications, and disaster recovery. SBA can also connect small businesses to their partner organizations, lenders, and other community groups that help businesses succeed. They also have a Small Business Guide that provides tools to help plan, launch, manage, and grow businesses.

    Learn more by visiting their website.

  • Helps women-owned businesses start and grow by offering tools and support to establish businesses, stabilize their companies, generate sustainable profits, and strategize for future growth.

    Learn more by visiting their website.

    Links to other national, regional, and local small business resources are also provided.

Learning Resources

  • Managed by Operation Hope, 1MBB aims to start, grow, and scale 1 million Black businesses by 2030 to provide a successful path to wealth creation for the black community. 1MBB participants can access coaching and educational services, expert volunteers, and more.

    Learn more by visiting their website.

  • CSBDF provides small businesses with technical assistance through online learning and courses from expert practitioners on a range of topics in both English and Spanish.

    Learn more by visiting their website.

  • Book a Librarian and discover free online research tools for small businesses

    Learn more by visiting their website.

  • SBCN comprises 58 Small Business Centers throughout North Carolina and supports the development of new businesses and the growth of existing businesses by being a community-based provider of training, counseling, and resource information. They also offer confidential counseling services and access to resource libraries free of charge. Some seminars and workshops require a minimal registration fee.

    Learn more by visiting their website.

  • Digital Ready is a free e-learning platform that includes short courses, coaching, workshops, community groups, and occasional grant incentives.

    Learn more by visiting their website.

Mentoring / Coaching

  • SCORE brings together experienced entrepreneurs, corporate managers, and executives from diverse industries and specialties who volunteer as mentors to help small business professionals start, develop, and grow businesses. Additionally, low-cost or no-cost business training and numerous templates and tools are provided.

    Learn more by visiting their website.

  • Boost Pad provides underrepresented founders the necessary resources to create solutions, build impactful businesses, and increase Charlotte’s economic mobility.

    Learn more by visiting their website.

  • Located on the UNC Charlotte campus, SBTDC provides an experienced business advisory team that offers confidential, in-depth business counseling to mid-sized company business owners and management staff, enhancing their competitive advantage and success in the marketplace. Assistance to entrepreneurs preparing to launch their next venture is also provided.

    Learn more by visiting their website.

Competitive Small Business Accelerators and Grant Programs

  • Managed by the City of Charlotte, Amp Up is a 7-month program geared toward ethnic minority business owners to help scale & grow their businesses.

    Basic Eligibility Requirements:

    Ethnic minority business owners with 51% or greater ownership of the business

    $175,000+ in annual revenues

    One other employee besides the owner(s)

    Been in business for at least two years

    Learn more by visiting their website.

  • Arts and Science Council serves as a resource hub for arts, science, history, and heritage organizations and creative individuals. ASC has several grant programs for creative organizations and individuals.

    Learn more by visiting their website.

  • Managed by Mecklenburg County, LaunchPad is a no-cost, 4.5-month program that empowers small businesses and minority- and women-owned businesses to be successful in governmental, institutional, and private contracting opportunities. The program helps local business owners build a toolkit and build their capacities on topics like capability statements, proposal writing, certifications, and contract compliance.

    Basic Eligibility Requirements:

    The business must be located in Mecklenburg County, NC

    The business must be 51% owned and operated by a minority or woman

    Participants must be the owner and/or CEO of the company

    The business must be a for-profit business

    Learn more by visiting their website.

  • Business Showers is a competitive program that finds and assists new business owners who are trying to start; or have recently started a business and need people and financial support. Finalists compete by learning how to write, compile & pitch a Business Plan, during a 12-week course, in hopes of becoming one of the top businesses/non-profits to receive a Business Shower.

    Learn more by visiting their website.

  • Managed by Charlotte Center City Partners, HIIVE, is a nine week small business educational program for food and retail businesses owned by people of color, women, and/or veterans with the aspirations of successfully operating in Center City’s unique business environment (Uptown, South End, and Midtown). Deadline to apply for the October 2023 HIIVE Cohort is Monday, September 4.

    Learn more by visiting their website.

  • NC IDEA is an independent private 501(c)(3) foundation whose vision is to help North Carolinians achieve their entrepreneurial ambition to start and grow high-potential companies. NC IDEA fosters sustainable economic development with competitive Micro ($10k) and Seed ($50k) grants and programs for entrepreneurs and funding to strengthen the North Carolina entrepreneurial ecosystem.

    Learn more by visiting their website.

  • NXT/CLT is a small business development initiative that strives to create a robust pathway to successfor businesses owned by people of color to create an authentic, accessible, and highly effective movement for high-potential small and medium-sized businesses.

    Learn more by visiting their website.

  • Scale Up CLT is a business accelerator program in collaboration with CLT Alliance Foundation, City Of Charlotte, and EO Charlotte. Scale Up is a scholarship program designed to accelerate the growth and success of minority-owned businesses in the Charlotte Region with yearly revenue between $250,000 and $999,999.

    Learn more by visiting their website.

Access To Capital

  • Accion Opportunity Fund works closely with small business owners to provide them with fairly priced loans, educational resources, coaching, and support networks in English and Spanish.

    Learn more by visiting their website.

  • CSBDF provides financing solutions and guidance to help entrepreneurs achieve their business goals. They offer loans up to $350,000 in various industries and with flexible terms, technical assistance, business needs assessments, SBA Community Advantage Lending, and other specialized loan programs and products.

    Learn more by visiting their website.

  • Hello Alice connects small businesses with the capital needed to launch and grow through loans, grants, and access to a business credit card.

    Learn more by visiting their website.

  • As a certified Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI), Institute Capital seeks to provide high-impact lending to borrowers who cannot typically get capital from mainstream financial institutions and are working to create thriving economies in communities representing the most diverse populations.

    Learn more by visiting their website.

  • LISC provides lending to help African-American, Latinx, and other small business owners and entrepreneurs of color finance what they need to succeed, from acquiring property and equipment or hiring new staff to expand operations.

    Learn more by visiting their website.

  • The Mecklenburg Office of Economic Development supports small businesses through lending, consulting, and credit coaching. The Meck Lending program offers loans of up to $75,000 with accommodating rates and terms available to qualified small and start-up businesses in Mecklenburg County.

    Learn more by visiting their website.

  • Thread Capital offers financing customized to a business’s needs, with loans from $500 to $5 million.

    Learn more by visiting their website.

Diverse Population Supports

  • Black Business Owners Corp(BBOC)is laying the foundation for the Charlotte Black Business Hub, a membership-based organization that supports Black-owned businesses to have direct access to educational programming, capital, co-working, R&D, and resources needed for Black businesses to compete, scale, and create generational wealth.

    Learn more by visiting their website.

  • Bunker Labs is the hub for Veteran and military spouse entrepreneurs and small business owners.

    Learn more by visiting their website.

  • The Carolinas Asian-American Chamber of Commerce fosters cooperation and interaction within the Asian communities and between the community in Charlotte and the Carolinas focusing on commerce, culture, and communication.

    Learn more by visiting their website.

  • The Carolinas LGBT+ Chamber supports LGBT+ and allied businesses through business development and growth strategy training; networking and collaborative creation; procurement of assets and funding; and advocacy for LGBT+ visibility and economic equity.

    Learn more by visiting their website.

  • CVMSDC is a nonprofit membership based organization that promotes and facilitates business relationships between the public/private sector and certified minority-owned businesses. They offer MBE certification, comprehensive training, connecting opportunities for MBEs and Corporations, and support business growth nationally and regionally.

    Learn more by visiting their website.

  • COB's mission is to support and stabilize black-owned, link creatives and service providers to larger brands, and help companies interact authentically with diverse audiences. CBO aims to fill resource gaps for local Black-owned businesses in the areas of funding, financial literacy, collaboration, and overall stability. This is accomplished by providing opportunities for consumers to shop local and Black while simultaneously providing business owners opportunities to collaborate, grow and develop their brands.

    Learn more by visiting their website.

  • CLT Alliance Foundation is an affiliate of the Charlotte Regional Business Alliance® and has unique partnerships with local businesses, community organizations, and government agencies. Through these partnerships, they are committed to amplifying their impact and driving real change for minority-owned businesses and business leaders by increasing access to resources, information, professional development, and networking opportunities. They manage the Scale Up Scholarship Program listed under Competitive Small Business Accelerators.

    Learn more by visiting their website.

  • The Charlotte Business INClusion (CBI) program seeks to enhance competition and participation of Minority, Women, and Small Business Enterprises (MWSBEs) in city contracting. CBI makes a concerted effort to expand its certified MWSBE vendor pool and assist city-certified firms in growing, enhancing, and developing their businesses. CBI currently offers numerous development programs that support certified businesses in organizational training, strategic development, and networking opportunities.

    Learn more by visiting their website.

  • CLT Black Chamber of Commerce serves Black-Owned businesses in the Charlotte region, offering business and professional development, business resources, and networking to grow and sustain business.

    Learn more by visiting their website.

  • EO Charlotte is a membership-based organization that provides members a resource to connect with fellow business owners and actively grow personally and professionally. EO uses forums, learnings, and social/cultural events to create spaces where members can have real conversations and learn from one another by sharing their experiences, successes, and failures.

    Learn more by visiting their website.

  • LACCC fosters economic growth and development of the Latin American business community in the Charlotte Region. Services include business and leadership education programs, an Entrepreneurial Hub, and a leadership development program.

    Learn more by visiting their website.

  • VBH connects Veterans and their families to the community. They provide employment support and work alongside local non-profits to ensure Veterans are job ready.

    Learn more by visiting their website.

  • VAC provides social and educational services that support the 10,000+ Vietnamese Americans living in the Charlotte Metro area and facilitate Vietnamese immigrants' assimilation into the American culture.

    Learn more by visiting their website.

Corridors of Opportunity Supports

  • Historic West End is where the Historic West End Partners lead the efforts for economic development and the commercial district's advancement in the 8.8-mile historic African American corridor. They also provide Thrive Business which offers office and meeting space.

    Learn more by visiting their website.

  • NECC connects the North End's eight communities to opportunities and resources through connection, education, and service.

    Learn more by visiting their website.

  • WBNC sponsors programs in the community that facilitate education, information, and engagement for residents along the corridor that benefit the community's economic, educational, and health outcomes. WBNC empowers and supports small businesses, entrepreneurs, and community-owned ventures through the WBNC Merchant Association.

    Learn more by visiting their website.

Accreditation

  • The North Carolina Secretary of State website is where all businesses operating in the state need to register. This is a fully online process and a newly added “Creation Wizard” provides seamless instructions through the required elements to help businesses avoid common mistakes. There are also several video tutorial links.

    Learn more by visiting their website.

  • The Better Business Bureau provides services to businesses that include accreditation, an online directory, new business guidance, and dispute resolution. The accreditation process is based on standards that include lawful business practices and ethical advertising selling and customer experiences. Earning a BBB Seal provides assurances customers are dealing with a reputable business. bbb.org

    Learn more by visiting their website.