resource CENTER
The Columbus Chamber is your one-stop for information. Get started with our new, interactive Business Resource tool. Click on the categories below to find hundreds of business-critical resources from governmental entities and nonprofits. Looking for more? Connect with 2,000 businesses in our member directory.
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Non-Profit/Social Services
Government Contacts
Entrepreneurship
1st Stop: Ohio Department of Development
The 1st Stop Business Connection, a program sponsored by the Ohio Department of Development's Small Business Development Centers and the U.S. Small Business Administration, provides FREE state-level information needed to get started or continue on your entrepreneurial journey.
Email: 1stStop@development.ohio.gov
Phone: (800) 248-4040 -
Government Contacts
Entrepreneurship
Small Business Administration
Since its founding on July 30, 1953, the U.S. Small Business Administration has delivered millions of loans, loan guarantees, contracts, counseling sessions and other forms of assistance to small businesses. SBA provides assistances primarily through its four programmatic functions:
Access to Capital (Business Financing)
Entrepreneurial Development (Education, Information, Technical Assistance & Training)
Government Contracting (Federal Procurement)
Advocacy (Voice for Small Business)
Email: answerdesk@sba.gov
Phone: (800) 827-5722 TTY: (704) 344- -
Entrepreneurship
Small Business Wiki
The website SmallBusiness.com is a wiki, a type of website where users can create and edit pages. Our goal is to create the web's largest open-source collection of shared knowledge for and by small business owners and managers.
Contact: Rex Hammock, founder and head-helper.
Email: Rex@SmallBusiness.com -
Entrepreneurship
Manta.com
Manta helps small businesses profit, connect and grow through the largest online community dedicated entirely to small business with listings and background on companies around the world.
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Entrepreneurship
Federal Reserve Bank of New York
Publication: The Credit Process: A guide for Small Business Owners/ gives information about business lending practices
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Entrepreneurship
Small Business Innovation Research Program
The Innovation Ohio Loan Fund (IOLF) was created to assist existing Ohio companies develop next-generation products and services within certain Targeted Industry Sectors by financing the acquisition, construction, and related costs of technology, facilities, and equipment. Ohio's manufacturing sector is a key target of this program.
The IOLF addresses an identified need in the capital-funding continuum, the IOLF is intended to supply capital to Ohio companies having difficulty securing funds from conventional sources due to technical and commercial risk factors associated with the development of a new product or service. The IOLF can finance up to 75 percent of a project's allowable costs to a maximum of $2 million and a minimum of $500,000.
Phone: (614) 466-3887 -
Non-Profit/Social Services
Entrepreneurship
Ohio Business Connection
Provides technical assistance and administers some of Ohio's specialized small business services
Partnerships with:
Small Business Development
Centers of Ohio (SBDC)
Ohio Department of Development
U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA)
Email: admin@osbcsbdc.org
Phone: (937) 258-7255 -
Entrepreneurship
Bplans
Bplans contains the largest single online collection of free sample business plans. In addition, it has helpful tools and know-how for managing your business. Bplans includes practical advice on planning, interactive tools and calculators, and a panel of experts who have answered thousands of questions from people like you.
Phone: (800) 229-7526 -
Non-Profit/Social Services
Entrepreneurship
SCORE
SCORE Columbus OHIO serves the greater Central Ohio area and is part of SCORE, a national nonprofit association dedicated to the success of the nation's small businesses. SCORE Columbus was established in April 1965 and has continuously served the Central Ohio region.
The counselors of SCORE Columbus are experienced business owners and managers who volunteer their experience and knowledge to help potential and existing small business owners achieve success.
Phone: (614) 469-2357 -
Non-Profit/Social Services
Entrepreneurship
MTSBDC- Manufacturing and Technology Small Business Development Centers of Ohio
Through the Manufacturing and Technology SBDC (MTSBDC), manufacturing and technology specialists provide businesses with one-on-one counseling to assist in the development and commercialization of innovative technologies and advanced manufacturing. Manufacturers with less than 50 employees receive management counseling and education services in the following areas:
- Lean manufacturing
- Intellectual property issues and marketing
- New product development and commercialization strategies
- Strategic and business planning
- Business process improvement
- Basics of patenting, trademarks, and copyrights
- Technology marketing
- Licensing strategy
- Licensing basics
Phone: (614) 287-2553 -
Entrepreneurship
MTSBDC at Columbus State Community College
Comprehensive business management and education services to Ohio’s small manufacturers, technology firms, and defense-dependent businesses.
Free, confidential, in-depth, one-on-one counseling and low- or no-cost training:
- Technology Planning
- Government Contracting
- Lean Office and Manufacturing
- SBIR/STTR/DARPA
- Strategic Planning
- Technical Grant Writing and Review
- Patent Research
- Commercialization Assistance
- eCounseling
- Quality-Based Assessments
- Quickview Manfacturing Assessment
- FisCal Financial Assessment
- Research and Development
Phone: (614) 287-2553 -
Finance/Capital
Entrepreneurship
Ohio Statewide Development Corp.
OSDC provides loans to small businesses that are growing and creating or retaining jobs throughout Ohio.
OSDC is certified by the Small Business Administration and authorized by the Ohio Department of Development to provide small business loans under their programs.
OSDC works in partnership with area lenders to provide long-term, fixed rate, low down payment financing for expanding small businesses
Email: info@osdc.net
Phone: (614) 481-3214 -
Finance/Capital
Entrepreneurship
Access Business Development & Finance
Access BDF exists to guide growing small businesses on their journey of expansion and development. We will accomplish this mission by focusing our experience, persistence and innovation to the purpose of helping our clients achieve their business goals and objectives.
Currently Access Business Development and Finance, Inc. provides financing and technical resources for your business in the following areas:
- SBA 504 Loans
- Financial Brokerage and Placement of Conventional Loans
Contact: Steven Jacobs, President/CEO
Email: steve@accessbdf.com
Phone: (513) 777-2225 -
Entrepreneurship
Small Business and Self-Employed Tax Center
IRS website that provides access to resources related to registering your business, employment taxes, health coverage legislation, etc.
SB/SE serves taxpayers who file Form 1040, Schedules C, E, F or Form 2106, as well as small businesses with assets under $10 million.
Phone: (800) 829-4933 -
Entrepreneurship
National Association of Small Business Investment Companies
The Small Business Investor Alliance ("SBIA”) is the premier organization of lower middle market private equity funds and investors. Our members provide vital capital to small and medium sized businesses nationwide, resulting in economic growth and job creation. The SBIA's mission is to provide member funds and LPs:
• real advocacy power with federal regulators and on Capitol Hill
• access to exceptional networking opportunities
• continuing educational programming with an emphasis on best practices for the industry
SBIA has been playing a pivotal role in promoting the growth and vitality of the industry for more than 50 years. SBIA works on behalf of its membership as a tireless advocate for appropriate regulation and smart tax policy that promotes domestic investment and the growth of small businesses who fuel the American economy.
Email: info@sbia.org
Phone: (202) 628-5055 -
Minority/Diversity
Non-Profit/Social Services
Workforce
Entrepreneurship
Central Ohio Minority Business Association
The Central Ohio Minority Business Association, founded in 1978, is celebrating 33 years of exemplary service to minority and small business in the Central Ohio area.
COMBA is committed to assisting small business with meeting the challenges of the global marketplace. COMBA has maintained strong strategic partnerships that:
• assists minority and small businesses in the delivery of services and programming to survive and prosper;
• encourage business development and expansion throughout the region;
• provides training, workshops and seminars on topics relevant to our clients and the growth of their enterprises.
Phone: (614) 252-8005 -
Minority/Diversity
Finance/Capital
Entrepreneurship
Minority Business Enterprise Division
Minority Business Enterprise Division assists in the creation, growth, and development of minority usiness enterprises throughout the state.
The ivision offers loan and bond programs that can provide access to capital and bonding for firms that may not qualify for traditional lending or bonding. Management, technical, and procurement assistance services are provided at no cost to small and minority owned businesses at any of the seven Minority Business Assistance Centers (MBAC) around the state.
The Minority Business Enterprise Division continues to develop new initiatives targeting urban entrepreneurship to provide business assistance to minority-owned businesses.
The Division has also assembled the Minority Business Advisory Council to create new policies and programming ideas to improve Ohio's business climate for minority business growth.
Phone: (800) 848-1300 -
Minority/Diversity
Non-Profit/Social Services
Entrepreneurship
Columbus Equal Business Opportunity Commission Office
The mission of The Equal Business Opportunity Commission Office is to promote inclusiveness of minority and female owned businesses within the City's procurement process and to facilitate the equitable awarding of contracts to minority and female business enterprises.
Email: eboco@columbus.gov
Phone: (614) 645-4764 -
Minority/Diversity
Non-Profit/Social Services
Entrepreneurship
The Center for Veterans Enterprise
VA partnered with Blue Star Families and Facebook to create an online safety net for active duty troops, Veterans, and their families.
VA and the Department of Labor are working together to get Veterans who are unemployed into training and back into the workforce with the help of services and financial assistance.
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Minority/Diversity
Non-Profit/Social Services
Entrepreneurship
Disabled Businesspersons Association
Founded in 1985, the Disabled Businesspersons Association is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization dedicated to assisting enterprising individuals with disabilities maximize their potential in the business world, and work with vocational rehabilitation, government and business to encourage the participation and enhance the performance of the disabled in the workforce.
Email: info@disabledbusiness.com -
Minority/Diversity
Entrepreneurship
Minority Business Development Agency-Ohio Center
MBDA, a part of the U.S. Department of Commerce is an entrepreneurially focused organization committed to wealth creation in minority communities. The Agency's mission is to actively promote the growth and competitiveness of large, medium and small minority business enterprises (MBEs).
Email: cwest@gcpartnership.com
Phone: (216) 592-2253 -
Minority/Diversity
Business Advancement
Entrepreneurship
South Central Ohio Minority Supplier Development Council
Our purpose is to Certify, Develop, and Connect. We grow and foster relationships between minority business enterprises, corporations, and government entities. Our purpose is to grow value-driven partnerships between our certified MBEs and Corporate Members.
Our focus is to assist the development and maintenance of effective corporate supplier diversity programs. Our most important function is to connect corporate purchasing and procurement departments with minority business enterprises. Results driven and strategic in our efforts, we bring unparalleled value to our membership base.
Phone: (614) 225-6959 -
Minority/Diversity
Entrepreneurship
NAWBO Columbus-National Association of Women Business Owners
The National Association of Women Business Owners, Columbus, Ohio Chapter, is a Central Ohio organization representing the interests of all women entrepreneurs in all industries.
NAWBO Columbus advances women entrepreneurs toward economic, social and political achievement. By helping them:
- Develop and grow strong, profitable women-owned businesses
- Build strategic alliances, coalitions and affiliations
- Transform public policy and influence opinion makers
- Affect changes in the business culture
Email: membership@nawbocolumbus.com
Phone: (614) 356-4522 -
Minority/Diversity
Networking
Entrepreneurship
WNET- Women's Network for Entrepreneurial Training Networking Roundtables
The Women's Network for Entrepreneurial Training (WNET) is a group of women in business who meet monthly at the SUNY Oswego Phoenix Center located in the Oswego County Industrial Park in Phoenix, NY just off exit 14 at State Route 481.[1]
Through networking, presentations and information sharing, WNET provides professional development and personal growth for women business owners.
Email: bonnie.Deer@sba.gov
Phone: (513) 684-2814 -
Minority/Diversity
Entrepreneurship
ADA Business Connection
Provides information for small businesses about ADA and how it applies to them/also information and resources available for disabled persons in the workforce.
Phone: (800) 514-0301 -
Minority/Diversity
Entrepreneurship
Association for Enterprise Opportunity
AEO is a national membership organization and voice of microbusiness development in the United States. For nearly two decades, AEO and its hundreds of member organizations have helped more than two million entrepreneurs support themselves and their families and contribute to their communities through business ownership.
Mission: AEO supports the development of strong and effective U.S. microbusiness initiatives to assist underserved entrepreneurs in starting, stabilizing, and expanding businesses.
Vision: Every individual in the U.S. has access to resources and services for creating wealth, assets and healthy communities.
Phone: (202) 650-5580 -
Minority/Diversity
Entrepreneurship
cfed- Corporation for Enterprise Development
The Corporation for Enterprise Development is a national nonprofit based in Washington, DC dedicated to expanding economic opportunity for low-income families and communities. CFED uses a “think-do-invest” approach grounded in community practice, public policy and private markets. Here’s how it works.
Email: info@cfed.org
Phone: (202) 408-9788 -
Minority/Diversity
Entrepreneurship
Center for Women's Business Research
The Center for Women's Business Research provides rigorous data-driven knowledge that advances the economic, social, and political impact of women business owners and their enterprises. We do this by setting the global agenda; creating insight on the status and achievements of women business owners; altering perceptions and practice about the economic viability and progress of women-owned enterprises; and defining the driving awareness of the economic and social impact of this vital business sector.
Phone: (703) 556-7162 -
Minority/Diversity
Entrepreneurship
Ohio Latino Small Business Development Center
Development Centers of Ohio Small Business Administration have partnered with the Latino Community Association of Ohio, a nonprofit organization in the Latino community, to create the Latino Center for the Development of Small Enterprises to provide management services business, education and training to Spanish-speaking entrepreneurs in Ohio. The Latino Center for the Development of Small Enterprises (CEL) provides three basic services - consulting, educational programs and business information - as well as professional services to create Latino businesses capable of competing effectively in the domestic and international markets.
Email: latinosbdc@cscc.edu
Phone: 614) 287-2338 -
Minority/Diversity
Government Contacts
Entrepreneurship
Office of Government Contracting-SBA
The Office of Government Contracting (GC) works to create an environment for maximum participation by small, disadvantaged, and woman-owned businesses in federal government contract awards and large prime subcontract awards. GC advocates on behalf of small business in the federal procurement world.
Email: answerdesk@sba.gov
Phone: (202) 205-6460 -
Non-Profit/Social Services
Government Contacts
Entrepreneurship
Procurement Technical Assistance Centers
The Procurement Technical Assistance Centers (PTAC) help Ohio's businesses seeking to compete for federal, state, and local government contracts.
The Procurement Technical Assistance Centers provide a variety of services that include bid preparation assistance, bid-matching services, military specifications, one-on-one training, product and procurement histories, help with information resources, and trade events where Ohio firms can meet government buyers. These services are provided at no cost to Ohio businesses.
Phone: (800) 848-1300 -
Non-Profit/Social Services
Government Contacts
Entrepreneurship
City of Columbus Vendor Services
Columbus Vendor Services is an eGov initiative made possible through a collaboration of the City Auditor's Office, the Department of Finance & Management - Purchasing Office, and the Mayor's Office - Equal Business Opportunity Commission Office, and seeks to accomplish the following:
- Provides a one-stop, twenty-four hour portal for vendor services and contract information.
- Allows vendors to express interest in doing business with the City and effectively self manage W9, registration, compliance, and bid information.
- Provides open access for vendors to compete for the public’s business.
- Assists City agencies in obtaining necessary goods and services in a timely, efficient, and cost effective manner while complying with applicable laws, regulations, and mandates.
- Records the supporting documentation for financial transaction activity of the City.
- Improves operations in the form of electronic bidding, sourcing, and purchasing of goods and services.
- Conducts City business in an open environment under public scrutiny to ensure public trust in the government’s business.
Email: vendorservices@columbus.gov
Phone: (614) 645-8315 -
Minority/Diversity
Government Contacts
Entrepreneurship
Federal Business Opportunities
Website that houses a search engine for business opportunities at the federal level (search engine can break down opportunities into specific categories and for specific business types)
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Government Contacts
Entrepreneurship
Southwest Central Ohio PTAC
SWCO PTAC has the specialized knowledge to assist you in aggressively pursuing government business at the local, state, or federal levels. Our professionals train you to find the opportunities best suited for your company and saves you the time and money you would have spent trying to learn what is required on your own.
SWCO PTAC helps local, state and federal government agencies, as well as Prime Contractors, connect with qualified companies that are serious about doing business with the government.
Email: sharris@emtec.org
Phone: (614) 220-9030 -
Finance/Capital
Workforce
Entrepreneurship
Entrepreneur
Many resources for entrepreneurs, including startup information, finance information, tech support, sales and marketing information, franchise information, HR information, business plans, etc.
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Entrepreneurship
Ohio Department of Development-Entrepreneurship and Small Business Division
Provides information, assistance, and advocacy to facilitate small business growth and development
Phone: (800) 848-1300 -
Workforce
Entrepreneurship
Third Frontier
Ohio Department of Development, many different programs that support business attraction and development in Ohio's technology fields
Phone: (800) 848-1300 -
Government Contacts
Entrepreneurship
Small Business Development Centers of Ohio
Small Business Development Centers work in partnership with a broad network of public and private partners across Ohio to provide the information, assistance, and advocacy that facilitates small business growth and development.
Phone: (614) 466-2711 -
Minority/Diversity
Entrepreneurship
Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship
The Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship provides programs that inspire young people from low-income communities to stay in school, to recognize business opportunities and to plan for successful futures.
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Entrepreneurship
The New Entrepreneur
Bloomberg BusinessWeek's blog geared toward the small business community
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Entrepreneurship
EntreOasis
EntreOasis provides resource of information, resources, and social networking for the global entrepreneurship community.
Phone: (902) 562-0042 -
Entrepreneurship
ReadWriteStart
List of legal resources for startups and entrepreurs-blogpost
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Entrepreneurship
IBM 100
IBM is providing a student entrepreneurs guide on their website that you can download, a toolkit with many great resources on how to turn an idea into a business
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Finance/Capital
Entrepreneurship
Startup Loans
Offer access to over 2200 banks and lending institutions and provide a wealth of information of loans and other forms of financing for entreprenuers and business owners business.
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Entrepreneurship
Foundation for Enterprise Development
The program include inter-disciplinary research and curriculum development; program management and technology transition support to government research and development agencies; publications, training and tools for small business and entrepreneurs.
Email: inquire@fed.org
Phone: (866) 936-4333 -
Finance/Capital
Networking
Entrepreneurship
National Association of Seed & Venture Funds
NASVF is a membership organization that advocates for the growth of seed and early-stage innovation capital. It connects the people in the world of venture capital and regional economic development, provides networking opportunities with investors.
Contact: Jim Jaffe, President & CEO
Email: jimjaffe@nasvf.org
Phone: (267) 336-7818 -
Networking
Entrepreneurship
National Business Incubation Association
The National Business Incubation Association (NBIA) provides thousands of professionals with information, education, advocacy and networking resources to bring excellence to the process of assisting early-stage companies.
Email: info@nbia.org
Phone: (740) 593-4331 -
Entrepreneurship
Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation
We focus on advancing entrepreneurship and improving the education of children and youth by developing innovative, research-based programs, partnering with others to leverage our resources and capabilities.
Phone: (816) 932-1000 -
Entrepreneurship
Central Ohio Entrepreneurs
CentralOhioEntrepreneurs.org connects entrepreneurs with the resources they need to plan, start and grow in the Central Ohio region.
We help entrepreneurs, small businesses and start ups maximize their access to national, state and community resources, library resources, community programs and free internet resources.
The Columbus Chamber is a partner of centralohioentrepreneurs.org
Email: jhudson@CentralOhioEntrepreneurs.org
Phone: (614) 360-3992 -
Entrepreneurship
Metropreneur Columbus
Metropreneur provides online resource for all things related to small business development and entrepreneurialism in Central Ohio. It provides breaking news and announcements, business profiles and spotlights, highlighting local and regional trends and provides advice columns from business professionals and a wide variety of other types of valuable and interactive content.
Contact: Walker Evans – Co-Founder & CEO
Email: WEvans@TheMetropreneur.com
Phone: (614) 946-0826 -
Export/Import Assistance
Entrepreneurship
Export.gov
Export.gov brings together resources from across the U.S. Government to assist American businesses in planning their international sales strategies and succeed in today’s global marketplace.
From market research and trade leads from the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Commercial Service to export finance information from Export-Import Bank and the Small Business Administration to agricultural export assistance from USDA, Export.gov helps American exporters navigate the international sales process and avoid pitfalls such as non-payment and intellectual property misappropriation.
Contact: Columbus Office
Email: office.columbus@mail.doc.gov
Phone: 614-365-9510 -
Entrepreneurship
International Market Development Program
Ohio Proud is the Ohio Department of Agriculture's marketing program that identifies and promotes food and agricultural products that are made in Ohio and grown in Ohio. If you are a consumer looking for products or a company who needs marketing assistance, Ohio Proud can help!
Email: ohioproud@agri.ohio.gov
Phone: (800) 467-7683 (1-800-IM-PROUD -
Export/Import Assistance
Government Contacts
Entrepreneurship
International Trade Administration
The International Trade Administration (ITA) strengthens the competitiveness of U.S. industry, promotes trade and investment, and ensures fair trade through the rigorous enforcement of our trade laws and agreements.
Promotes U.S. exports, and provides commercial diplomacy support; Helps shape industry-specific trade policy; removal of market access barriers; Enforces U.S. trade laws and agreements to prevent unfairly traded imports
Phone: (800) ISA-TRAD -
Shipping/ Logistics
Sites + Buildings
Finance/Capital
Export/Import Assistance
Entrepreneurship
Braintree BusinessDevelopment Center
The Braintree Business Development Center supports small business in Northeast Ohio through business incubation, business assistance, networking and education, and funding.
We focus on the following industries: advanced manufacturing, alternative energy, information technology, bioscience, agriculture/food processing, and international trade.
Email: info@braintreepartners.org
Phone: (419) 525-1614 -
Sites + Buildings
Government Contacts
Entrepreneurship
Franklin County Auditor
Franklin County Auditor offers the best public service in fiscal, real estate and consumer protection.
Email: ClarenceMingo@FranklinCountyOhio.gov
Phone: (614) 525-3200 -
Sites + Buildings
Workforce
Entrepreneurship
Ohio InSite
Site selection tool designed to help find the best Ohio location to suit your business needs. Includes business/economic data, workforce, education and leading employers, incentives and tax reform, regional profiles, and industry profiles.
Phone: (614) 857-0900 ext. 231 -
Shipping/ Logistics
Sites + Buildings
Cost of Doing Business
Advocacy
Workforce
Entrepreneurship
Columbus 2020 Columbus Region
Economic development organization for 11 county region; provides all site consultant services including access to available properties.
Phone: (614) 225-6063 -
Sites + Buildings
Cost of Doing Business
Non-Profit/Social Services
Government Contacts
Entrepreneurship
Ohio Business Gateway
The Ohio Business Gateway is about making government accessible to you and your business by helping you find the information and services you need to keep your business thriving in Ohio.
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Sites + Buildings
Cost of Doing Business
Entrepreneurship
BizCosts.com
BizCosts® is recognized as the nation's premier source for comparative business cost information. BizCosts® Reports are unique in their industry-specific modeling, geographic focus and annualized, factor-by-factor format. It provides reports that include labor, construction, lease, utilities, sales, land, financing, travel, etc. by geographic area.
Email: contact@bizcosts.com
Phone: 800-520-7658 -
Cost of Doing Business
Non-Profit/Social Services
Finance/Capital
Entrepreneurship
Community Capital Development Corporation
The Community Capital Development Corporation (CCDC) is a private, non-profit corporation that loans money to small business in Central Ohio. These loans can be used to invest in land or equipment, working capital, and specialty loans such as the Child Day Care MicroLaon.
Contact: Brad Shimp
614.645.6171
brad.shimp@ccdcorp.org
Email: brad.shimp@ccdcorp.org
Phone: (614) 645-6171 -
Cost of Doing Business
Non-Profit/Social Services
Finance/Capital
Entrepreneurship
Economic and Community Development Institute
The Economic and Community Development Institute provides extensive training and technical assistance, provides loans in amounts up to $100,000 to microenterprises in Central Ohio and Southwest Ohio, and is a resource center for food-related enterprises in Central Ohio.
Phone: (614) 559-0115 -
Non-Profit/Social Services
Entrepreneurship
INCREASE Community Development Corporation
INCREASE Community Development Corporation is a faith-based, non-profit organization that provides business training and capital for entrepreneurs and start-up businesses in central Ohio.
Email: info@increasecdc.org
Phone: (614) 476-3645 -
Cost of Doing Business
Entrepreneurship
Foreign Trade Zone #138
A tool that allows goods to be brought onto site duty-free and without formal customs entry, able to provide FTZ designation to sites located within Central Ohio
Phone: (614) 409-3622 -
Cost of Doing Business
Export/Import Assistance
Entrepreneurship
TradePort
TradePort is a repository of free information and resources for businesses seeking to conduct international trade to and from California.
TradePort is now the premier online resource for comprehensive information about the ‘how to’ aspects of importing and exporting and is supported by the California Trade Partners (CTP) network comprised of forty public and private sector trade promotion service organizations located throughout California.
Phone: (831) 335-4780 -
Shipping/ Logistics
Sites + Buildings
Non-Profit/Social Services
Export/Import Assistance
Workforce
Government Contacts
Entrepreneurship
The Columbus Region
The Columbus Region is guided by Columbus 2020, an aggressive economic development strategy.
Columbus 2020 is a bold, new, regional public-private partnership that will leverage Central Ohio´s research and academic institutions, diverse industries to position the State Capital to become the fastest growing economy in the country and one of the nation´s leaders in economic development.
Phone: (614) 225-6063 -
Finance/Capital
Entrepreneurship
U.S. Small Business Administration
Federal, state and local governments offer a wide range of financing programs to help small businesses start and grow their operations. These programs include low-interest loans, venture capital, and scientific and economic development grants.
SBA.gov's Loans and Grants Search Tool provides assistance to small and start-up businesses to get a list of financing programs.
Email: answedesk@sba.gov
Phone: 1-800-827-5722 -
Finance/Capital
Entrepreneurship
Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland
Provides loans to businesses to ensure continuity of service
Phone: 216- 579-2000 -
Finance/Capital
Entrepreneurship
Columbus-Franklin County Finance Authority
The Columbus-Franklin County Finance Authority is a public agency designed to facilitate capital investments by the private, non-profit and public sectors in Central Ohio. The Finance Authority is an eligible issuer of tax-exempt and taxable debt. The Finance Authority works in partnership with traditional lending institutions and other public partners, acting as a valuable resource for your financing options.
Phone: 614-225-6068 -
Finance/Capital
Entrepreneurship
Ohio Strategic Business Investment Division
The Strategic Business Investment Division is on the front line of economic development utilizing the state’s outstanding economic development toolbox. The Division supports the well being of Ohio’s citizens by providing business owners and communities with the information and support they need to make informed, critical decisions that directly impact Ohio’s economy and environment for business growth.
Phone: 1-800-848-1300 -
Finance/Capital
Entrepreneurship
Community Development Venture Capital Alliance (CDVCA)
CDVCA is the network for the growing field of community development venture capital (CDVC) investing. CDVC funds provide equity capital to businesses in underinvested markets, seeking market-rate financial returns, as well as the creation of good jobs, wealth, and entrepreneurial capacity.
CDVCA promotes the field by combining advocacy, education, communications, and best-practice dissemination through conferences and workshops. CDVCA makes its expertise available to CDVC funds by providing consulting services and technical assistance.
Email: cdvca@cdvca.org
Phone: 212-594-6747 -
Sites + Buildings
Minority/Diversity
Advocacy
Non-Profit/Social Services
Finance/Capital
Export/Import Assistance
Government Contacts
Entrepreneurship
Ohio Department of Development
Provides a variety of programs and initiatives to help encourage business growth in Ohio
Phone: 800-848-1300 -
Finance/Capital
Entrepreneurship
Ohio Air Quality Development Authority
OAQDA's primary purpose is to contribute to cleaner air in Ohio by assisting Ohio businesses to invest in air quality through the provision of conduit financing for the purchase, construction and/or installation of air quality facilities.
OAQDA issue air quality revenue bonds, notes and refunding bonds; make loans and grants to governmental agencies for the acquisition and construction of air quality facilities; make loans for air quality projects for industry, commerce, distribution or research, including public utility companies; acquire, construct and operate air quality facilities itself; and engage in research and development with respect to air quality facilities.
Email: Todd.Nein@aqda.state.oh.us
Phone: 614-224-3383 -
Shipping/ Logistics
Entrepreneurship
Member Testimonial: RMX Freight Systems, Inc.
"I couldn't be more pleased that we joined the Chamber. It provides wonderful resources and opportunities to build your network. Chamber membership helps you see what's on the horizon in the business community."- Rob Sowers, vice president, sales and traffic. Read More.
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Entrepreneurship
Member Testimonials: Rosati Windows
“In business, you have to keep your finger on the pulse. I need to know what’s new in the Region and where Columbus is going. The Chamber’s research and analysis help me do that.”- Mike Rosati, president. Read More.
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Entrepreneurship
Member Testimonial: The Refectory Restaurant and Bistro
“I took away a profound new insight into the real value of what the Chamber provides its members. This realization transformed me from just a member to an advocate.”- Kamal Boulos, president. Read More.
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Sites + Buildings
Workforce
Entrepreneurship
Member Testimonial: Midwest Express Group
"The Chamber provides businesses and organizations opportunities to tap into valuable resources."- Steve Youll, senior staff administrator, human resources. Read More.
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Entrepreneurship
Member Testimonial: ARC Industries
"There is no other single source of business resources under one roof."- Katie Hopper, sales director. Read More.
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Green
Entrepreneurship
Member Testimonial: Royal Document Destruction
“Our reason for joining the Chamber was to increase our
footprint on the City of Columbus and grow our impact.” “As a result, our community presence has never been more successful.” -Rob Grubaugh, sales manager Read more. -
Green
Entrepreneurship
Recycle Downtown
A Workplace Recycling toolkit.
Phone: (614) 645-5133 -
Government Contacts
Entrepreneurship
Check Ohio First
Check Ohio First is an initiative of the Ohio Department of Development, and the Ohio Small Business Development Centers (SBDC). Their statewide network provides support, training and one-on-one business consulting to Ohio’s small businesses. Their website also connects Ohio suppliers and buyers online.
We partner with private, non-profit and other public organizations to provide Check Ohio First services and programming.
Email: support@checkohiofirst.com
Phone: (614) 466-2711 -
Young Professionals
Entrepreneurship
Builders Exchange of Central Ohio Young Professionals Group
Founded in 1892 in Columbus, the Builders Exchange of Central Ohio has nearly 900 member firms, representing the entire spectrum of the industry. Members include architects, engineers, general contractors, subcontractors, material suppliers and manufacturers, along with related professionals such as attorneys, insurance and bonding agents, bankers, accountants and computer specialists.
The Builders Exchange Young Professionals Group (BXYP) was created to develop an ongoing opportunity for young (and young at heart) industry professionals to effectively network with each other through networking events, fundraising and community. Activities include: professional sporting events happy hours lunch and learns educational breakfasts family fun days, and more!
Email: kbutler@bx.org -
Finance/Capital
Small Business
Entrepreneurship
Increase CCDC
INCREASE Community Development Corporation is a faith-based, non-profit organization that provides business training and capital for entrepreneurs and start-up businesses in central Ohio.
Who can apply? Startup or Existing Business
Criteria: Loans up to $100,000; 1 - 3 year repayment options; Low Interest Rates (4.5% starting)
Review and Approval: Must have qualified business plan; min 600 credit score; 40% Debt to Income Ratio; No bankruptcies or judgments in the past two years; collateral.
Contact: The Community Capital Development Corporation at (614) 476.1758
Phone: (614) 476.1758 -
Minority/Diversity
Finance/Capital
Entrepreneurship
JumpStart Launch100 Initiative
Launch100 provides intensive business assistance—up to 15 hours a month—to selected minority entrepreneurs with businesses with significant revenue potential (over $10 million).
Who can apply? Minority-business entrepreneurs whose companies or business ideas have the potential to become larger enterprises and serve a national and international client base.
Criteria: Sales growth potential of more than $15 million in the next 3-5 years; potential to create 50+ jobs in Northeast Ohio; demonstrate the ability AND desire to raise capital from private equity, angel, or venture capital investors; possess a significant competitive advantage or barrier against future competitors; operating in a growing national/international market of at least $500 million in total market value and conducting or planning to conduct business in at least a multi-state region; business requires at least $250,000 in non-bank capital in next 12-24 months to grow.
Contact: launch100@jumpstartinc.com
Email: launch100@jumpstartinc.com -
Cost of Doing Business
Advocacy
Finance/Capital
Workforce
Entrepreneurship
TechColumbus
TechColumbus is the public-private partnership whose mission is to accelerate the advancement of Central Ohio’s innovation economy. It is distinguished by its comprehensive breadth of services, including membership, advocacy, venture acceleration and seed funding. Through its services and programming, TechColumbus supports the innovation initiatives of all companies within the region from the newest entrepreneurial startups to the Fortune 500 companies that call Central Ohio home.
Email: email@techcolumbus.org
Phone: (614) 487-3700