2023 Growth Accelerator Fund Competition
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is offering $50,000 to $200,000 in prize awards for impactful and inclusive approaches to foster a thriving, collaborative national innovation support ecosystem to advance research and development (R&D) from ideas to impact.
By fostering connections between entrepreneurs, advisors, mentors, partners, philanthropies, corporations, investors, and other shared resources, the 2023 Growth Accelerator Fund Competition (GAFC) will catalyze strategic ecosystem partnerships to build community and organizational capacity for the successful launch, growth, and scale of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics)-based entrepreneurs and startups.
Competition Goals:
- Increase the pipeline and success of STEM/R&D-focused entrepreneurs and small businesses;
- Increase the success of STEM/R&D-focused entrepreneurs in accessing capital and resources to advance their businesses;
- Incentivize innovation ecosystem stakeholders to provide equitable access to resources for underserved communities and industries;
- Catalyze partnerships and relationships between stakeholder groups to strengthen the national innovation ecosystem; and
- Connect both new and established participants in the national innovation ecosystem
Prizes awarded in Two Stages:
Stage One: $50,000 cash prizes will be awarded to organizations (Catalysts) to catalyze relationships between aligned stakeholders (Ecosystem Partners) that lead to the development of Growth Accelerator Partnerships. Catalysts work collaboratively with Ecosystem Partners to bring additional resources, deepen network connections, and develop strategies that amplify the impact and success of the Growth Accelerator Partnership and the STEM/R&D-focused entrepreneurs and small businesses it serves. SBA encourages creative models for ecosystem building. SBA welcomes Stage One submissions from a broad range of organizations with a collaborative vision to nurture a national ecosystem for equitable access to entrepreneurship.
Stage Two: $50,000 to $150,000 cash prizes will be awarded to Growth Accelerator Partnerships to provide assistance to entrepreneurs that transition R&D into the marketplace. The Growth Accelerator Partnership will provide startups and small businesses with additional support and resources. SBA will accept Stage Two submissions from Growth Accelerator Partnerships; submissions will be prepared jointly by Stage One Catalysts and Ecosystem Partners and will present their proposal to successfully accelerate the launch, growth, and scale of diverse STEM/R&D-focused small businesses.
Wednesday, March 1st / 10:00am - 11:30am
Whether you’re seeking certification as a WOSB/EDWOSB for the first time or have active contracts but need some assistance – the SBA can support you!
Join us in commemoration of Women’s History Month to learn the latest trends in government contracting for women and understand how to get certified to find work with the federal government.
Presenter:
Terrence A. Moultrie Sr.
Compliance Chief, Program and Resource Management
Office of Government Contracting and Business Development
WOSB Federal Contracting Program
Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB) Federal Contracting Program
To help provide a level playing field for women business owners, the government limits competition for certain contracts to small businesses that participate in the Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB) Federal Contracting Program.
In order to participate in the program, you first have to become certified. There are many benefits to going through the certification process to participate in the WOSB Federal Contracting Program. The application process is rigorous, but only those who become certified get access to unique benefits and the competitive edge that the program offers.
For more info, please contact Lead Business Opportunity Specialist Nadine Boone:
Phone: 617-565-8514 or Email: Nadine.Boone@sba.gov
Tuesday, March 7th / 10:00am - 12:00pm
SBA is here to see that small businesses succeed with no cost services including funding programs, consulting, federal contracting, and disaster recovery. We have over 1400 resource partners who assist small businesses every day.
Join us to discuss small business success: bring your questions, get best practices, learn how to overcome the hurdles…and hear from women who make it happen!
Join our Women's History Month Conference!
Opening Remarks: 10:00-10:10 Bob Nelson, Massachusetts District Director
Session I: 10:10-10:45 Be Your Best with Best Practices
Samilys Rodriguez, CWE Director-Eastern MA
Racquel Knight, CWE Director-Central MA and Jessika Rozki, Rozki’s Rides
Moderated by Lisa Gonzalez Welch, SBA Economic Development Specialist
Session II: 10:45-11:20 WOSB-Application Words of Wisdom & Women in Technology
Sandra Ledbetter, APEX Government Sales and Kirby Williams, Advantage Publications
Crystal Pierce, APEX Procurement Specialist and Stephanie Hutch, Makai LLC
Moderated by Susan Lourie, SBA Business Opportunity Specialist
Session III: 11:20-11:55 Where’s the Capital
Jill Beresford, MSBDC Senior Business Adviser
Jessica Mello, SEED Corp. Business Assistance & Marketing Officer
Moderated by Carlos Hernandez, SBA Lender Relations Specialist
Join us for one or all three sessions. We look forward to hearing from you!
Wednesday 1/25/23 / 10:00am - 11:30am
Quickbooks Intro, Set Up and Problem Solving
Wednesday 1/25/23 / 3:00pm - 4:30pm
Succession Planning - Is your Business Ready?
Wednesday 1/25/23 / 6:00pm - 8:00pm (10 SESSION SERIES)
Business Planning Course - CWE EM - Virtual
Thursday 1/26/23 / 12:00pm - 1:00pm
Brand-Building For Small Businesses - CWE Central MA - Live Webinar
Thursday 1/26/23 / 9:00am - 12:00pm
Basics of Starting Your Business
Thursday 1/26/23 / 10:00am - 4:00pm
Pre-Export Expo Workshops
Thursday 1/26/23 / 12:00pm - 1:30pm
Business Foundation- The Importance of CASH FLOW
Tuesday 1/31/23 / 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Business Credit - Part 3
Tuesday 1/31/23 / 6:00pm - 8:00pm (10 SESSION SERIES)
Programa de Planificación de su Negocio - CWE EM - Vivo virtual
Join us for the Export Expo – the state’s largest and most important export event of the year that brings together resources, training and information for the local exporting community!
The Massachusetts Export Center’s Export Expo provides a forum for exporters to connect with the wide range of export resources available in Massachusetts while learning about issues that impact their day-to-day operations.
This year’s Export Expo will again be a virtual event that will include an exhibit area featuring government, non-profit and private sector service providers serving the export community. The Export Expo will also feature a lineup of workshops, panel discussions and special addresses on a wide variety of export-related topics.
NEWS RELEASE: SBA Administrator Guzman: New Census Data Shows Record Pace of Small Business Applications Has Continued Under Biden-Harris Administration
Release Date: January 17, 2023
Release Number: 23-02
WASHINGTON – Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman, head of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and the voice for America’s 33 million small businesses in President Biden’s Cabinet, issued the following statement in response to data released by the U.S. Census Bureau:
“This new Census data shows the Biden-Harris small business boom continued in 2022, with a rapid pace of new business applications second only to the record set in 2021. Since the start of this administration, small business applications reached a high of 10.5 million, the most in any two years in our nation’s history. This report is even more good news for our economy, with steady and stable growth, as well as unprecedented investments in infrastructure, manufacturing, and R&D, bringing abundant opportunities for America’s entrepreneurs.
“When President Biden took office, hundreds of thousands of businesses were fighting to stay open. The historic investment in economic recovery enabled Americans to start new businesses and jobs at record-breaking levels, a trend that continues today.
“The SBA and the Biden-Harris Administration continue to retool vital federal small business support programs and services to expand access to capital, provide much-needed trusted networks for technical assistance and training, and help America’s entrepreneurs seek new revenue opportunities from transformational legislation including the President’s Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.”
The U.S. Census Bureau’s new data comes on the heels of recent analysis from independent academic researchers showing rising consumer confidence as inflation cooled for the sixth consecutive month.
Public Affairs Specialist Norman Eng participated in a grand opening event held at Cabo Vegan in Brockton, a new Cape Verdean owned restaurant supported by SBA Community Navigator HUB - the Cape Verdean Association of Brockton; and SPOKE – Metro South Chamber of Commerce. Owners Tome and Valery Andrade were flanked by Chamber President Chris Cooney, CVA Executive Director Mo Rodrigues, other local officials, friends and family on this special occasion in a packed house!
 Bob Nelson and SBA EDS Lisa Gonzalez Welch shared SBA updates during the NE Massachusetts SCORE Chapter meeting on Friday 1/20. This chapter is very robust and during the meeting the mentors all shared their brief backgrounds. The SCORE chapters in MA mentored and trained just under 20,000 small businesses during FY 2022 and this chapter, together with the other 5 chapters in MA, are an amazing resource. Wonderful to do SCORE chapter updates during National Mentoring Month and to thank our partners for the volunteer work they do every day!
Springfield Branch Manager Oreste Varela leads Military Members and Spouses through the Boots to Business curriculum along with Resource Partners for a two-day program at Hanscom Air Force Base in Bedford, Massachusetts on the 17th and 18th of January.
Tuesday 2/14/23 / 9:00am - 10:00am
GET STARTED-Doing Business with the Federal Government
Tuesday 2/21/23 / 9:00am - 10:30am
SBA 8(a) Business Development Program
Thursday 2/23/23 / 11:00am - 12:00pm
Woman-Owned Small Business Federal Contracting
Tuesday 2/28/23 / 12:00pm - 1:00pm
Overview of Supplier Diversity Office Certifications & Programs
Get weekly information on eligibility assistance for HUBZone certification
Members of the HUBZone team answer questions on a weekly basis to help firms navigate the certification process.
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When
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Tuesdays and Thursdays from 2-3 p.m. E.T.
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How
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Find a local number, or call 208-391-5817 and enter Skype conference ID #278449067
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For PDF versions of information about the HUBZone Program and related improvements, select the HUBZone Fact Sheet, Program Improvements, and SBA’s latest FAQs.
Learn How to Apply to Get Certified as an 8(a) BD Small Business
Microsoft Teams 8(a)BD “Straight Talk” meeting Public Access
Members of the 8(a) team answer questions on a monthly basis to help firms navigate the certification process, including program benefits and eligibility requirements for 8(a) certification.
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When:
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Third Wednesday of each month - 2:00p.m. to 3:00p.m. (ET)
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How:
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Call 202-765-1264 (Washington, DC) and enter phone conference ID#: 217 121 169
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7(j) training, provided to eligible firms and their employees, includes very specialized training in the areas of federal contracting. The training will be provided in an online format with live instructors and the ability for students to participate and ask questions. Up to 40 participants per workshop will receive training on how to make "real world" business decisions that will facilitate their firm's success.
Please check out the 7J training options below...
**UPDATE on Woman Owned Small Business certification program**
The WOSB Federal Contract Program (WOSB Program) is pleased to announce that in response to customer service feedback, SBA has changed the WOSB Program’s official application site URL to better help firms navigate our resources: beta.Certify.sba.gov will now be https://WOSB.Certify.sba.gov .
This action is in line with the original intent for “beta” to be a temporary placeholder for a more permanent URL. Now that WOSB is two years into the certification process, our application site is permanent and consistent with other SBA site-naming conventions. We are confident that this change will enhance user experience and limit confusion around the application process.
For the next 90 days, beta.Certify.sba.gov will automatically redirect to the new URL, after which time it will become obsolete. We anticipate a positive response to this change and appreciate your support in ensuring the best experience for all firms hoping to begin their federal contracting journey with the WOSB Program.
NEWS RELEASE: SBA Rural Ascent Agricultural Training Program
Release Date: January 11, 2022
Release Number: 22-101
BOSTON – The U.S. Small Business Administration, Office of Rural Affairs, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture has partnered together to launch the Rural Ascent Agricultural Training Program to help you grow your business
This twelve-week program utilizes a modern, e-learning approach, packed with resources needed to set and achieve growth in both revenue and job creation. Participants will join other rural entrepreneurs from across the U.S. on an interactive virtual platform.
To be eligible for this program, you must:
- Be a women-owned small business located in a rural area - Eligibility (usda.gov)
- Be a start-up or have been in business less than 5 years
- Have average revenues of less than $50,000
Application for the program ends January 15, 2023.
Interested candidates must apply at https://bit.ly/RuralAscent.
To learn more about the self-guided Ascent program, please go to: ascent.sba.gov
For questions about future cohorts, please contact the SBA Office of Field Operations, Rural Affairs at Rural@SBA.gov.
Please direct all other inquiries and questions to our District Office email at:
MassachusettsDO@sba.gov
FREE and confidential counseling services are available across the Commonwealth.
Virtual education, training and networking sessions are happening daily.
Please schedule a virtual session with any of our Resource Partners below...
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WE ARE OPEN FOR BUSINESS!
Staff are working remotely and can be reached via email or telephone. MSBDC is committed to supporting entrepreneurs during these very challenging times.
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MSBDC advisors can assist businesses with disaster loan applications.
If you are not currently a client and would like to speak with a counselor, please find your region and reach out to the REGIONAL OFFICE SERVING YOU.
Berkshire Regional Office
33 Dunham Mall, Suite 103
Pittsfield, MA 01201
413-499-0933 | Fax: 413-499-3005
www.msbdc.org/berkshire
Central Regional Office
Clark University
The Carriage House, 125 Woodland Street
Worcester, MA 01610
508-793-7615 | Fax: 508-793-8890
www.clarku.edu/offices/sbdc
Northeast Regional Office (SPANISH-SPEAKING COUNSELOR)
Salem State University
121 Loring Avenue, Suite 310
Salem, MA 01970
978-542-6343 | Fax: 978-542-6345
www.salemstate.edu/sbdc
Procurement Technical Assistance Center
Scibelli Enterprise Center
1 Federal Street, Building 1
Springfield, MA 01105
413-545-6303 | Fax: 413-737-2312
https://www.massptac.org
Southeast Regional Office
200 Pocasset Street
Fall River, MA 02721
508-673-9783 | Fax: 508-674-1929
www.msbdc.org/semass
Western Regional Office
Scibelli Enterprise Center
One Federal Street, Building 101
Springfield, MA 01105-1160
413-577-1768 | Fax: 413-737-2312
www.msbdc.org/wmass
Reach out to other SCORE CHAPTERS throughout the state below.
Eastern Massachusetts Center - Boston
44 School St., Suite 200
Boston, MA 02108
www.cweonline.org
Central Massachusetts Center - Westborough
69 Milk St., Ste. 217
Westborough, MA 01581
Veterans Business Outreach Center of New England (VBOC of NE)
132 George M. Cohan Blvd.
Providence, RI 02903
Veterans Business Outreach Center (VBOC) (cweonline.org)
Disclaimer: The SBA does not endorse the organizations sponsoring linked websites, and does not endorse the views they express or the products/services they offer. All programs and services are extended to the public on a nondiscriminatory basis.
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