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News Release: Maine SBDC celebrates 40 years of helping Maine’s businesses succeed

SBDC 40 LogoMaine SBDC State Office (Portland, ME) – The Maine Small Business Development Centers (Maine SBDC) is celebrating 40 years of helping build and strengthen Maine’s small businesses through no-cost business advising and training.

In 1977, the University of Southern Maine (USM) was among eight pilot sites funded by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) to test the concept of leveraging federal, state and higher education resources to assist entrepreneurs and spur economic growth. The program proved successful. Beginning in 1980, small businesses nationwide could access the services provided by the SBA’s Small Business Development Centers.Read More

Maine SBDC to Celebrate Inaugural SBDC Day March 22

Nation’s Largest Business Assistance Network Invites Small Businesses, Communities to Join National Celebration

Maine SBDC State Office (Portland, Maine) – Business has changed drastically over the last 40 years, and the Maine Small Business Development Centers (SBDC) has been there throughout. On Wednesday, March 22nd the Maine SBDC will join SBDCs across the country to celebrate the collective impact and success the nationwide program has on the US economy.

SBDC Day is a collective movement created by America’s SBDC, the association representing America’s largest business assistance network of SBDCs. SBDC Day will help share the small business success stories and notable impact that SBDCs have fostered in communities nationwide.Read More

Senator Amy Volk Congratulates Maine SBDC on a Successful 40 Years

From the Maine Senate Republicans:

AUGUSTA – State Senator Amy Volk (R-Cumberland), chair of the Labor Commerce, Research and Economic Development Committee (LCRED), congratulates Maine Small Business Development Centers (SBDC) on celebrating their 40th business anniversary.

“Since 1977, Maine SBDC has helped countless Mainers start over 2,000 new businesses, create and save over 13,400 jobs and obtain over $563 million in capital to open the doors and expand,” said Sen. Volk. “These services have been invaluable, as small businesses are the backbone of Maine’s economy.”

“Home-grown jobs are responsible for more than 80 percent of total job creation in states including Maine,” said Rep. Ryan Fecteau (D-Biddeford), LCRED House chair. “The SBDC works every day to make that possible. Our state’s economy, small businesses and communities owe them a great deal.”

Through locations around the state, Maine SBDC leverages federal, state and higher education resources to provide no-cost business advising and training to assist entrepreneurs and spur economic growth. For more information, visit www.mainesbdc.org.

Starting a business? We have a guide for that!

You have an idea and want to start a business.  Starting a business is challenging – there are many things to think about, decide upon and do.  At the Maine SBDC one of the most frequent requests we get is for assistance with starting a business. Our goal is to make sure you are on the right track with access to helpful information, resources and expert advice. 

Cover Graphic : A guide to starting a business in MaineA Guide to Starting a Business in Maine will help you with your questions, planning, research and preparation to launch a business.  The Guide will answer your questions about determining the probable success of your business, selecting a business entity, finding financing, writing a business plan, registering your business, getting insurance, selecting a name, reporting taxes and much more.

The 24-page Guide provides basic information about starting a business in Maine and contents include:

  • Business Startup Checklist
  • Doing a Feasibility Study
  • Common Business Entities
  • Business Plan Guidelines
  • Financing Your Business
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Where to Get Assistance
  • Maine SBDC locations

 

This Guide is intended to provide basic information about starting a business in Maine. Your business may have additional requirements or needs that are specific to your type of business that are not covered in this Guide.  It is best used in conjunction with a Maine SBDC business advisor or other business professional.  Call us at 800-679-7232 or email: mainesbdc@maine.edu if you would like assistance.

Downloadable PDF Guide available in English, French, and Somali. 

Maine Small Business Development Centers announce record year for client success in securing capital

February 1, 2017

It was a record year for Maine small businesses securing capital to start and grow their companies in 2016, according to a recently released annual report compiled by the Maine Small Business Development Centers (Maine SBDC).

2016 Program Results with Map of MaineMaine SBDC provided no-cost business advising to 1,583 entrepreneurs and small business owners throughout Maine in 2016. Fourteen certified business advisors across Maine helped clients secured an unprecedented $47.1 million in capital to start and grow their businesses, more than in any other year in Maine SBDC’s 39 year history. In addition, the Maine SBDC helped these clients create and save 1,006 jobs and start 120 new businesses. Read More

Maine Startups Insider: Founder Forum – Joel Alex of Blue Ox Malthouse

Maine SBDC client Joel Alex and his business Blue Ox Malthouse featured in Maine Startup Insider!

The other thing that emboldened me to pursue this and decline graduate school was that I had come across Top Gun, I had come across the Maine SBDC. Because in November 2012 when I made the decision to pursue Blue Ox Malthouse in earnest, or with more energy and intention, I started talking to craft brewers, to people in agriculture, to farmers. I talked to business owners, too. I started doing a survey of the resources available, and through the Maine SBDC I was encouraged to apply for the TechStart grant from MTI and then I got plugged into the really strong network of Blackstone Accelerates Growth, the Maine Center for Entrepreneurial Development and that whole community. The other resource I took advantage of, and which provided emotional support and served as a connector, was Slow Money Maine. I had one tremendously amazing early partner named Steve Culver, who I met through the Slow Money Maine network.

That network of people gave me the confidence in the idea and the confidence that there was a support network out there that could help me realize it. And that was tremendous.

Read the entire interview with Joel here!