Resources: Small Business Certification Program

Small business resource organizations offer free advising to help your company grow. They support funding access, strategy development, market expansion, and navigating startup or scaling challenges. They can also assess contracting readiness, help improve competitiveness, and guide you through the Small Business certification application.

• CT APEX Accelerator provides marketing and procurement assistance to businesses interested in selling their goods or services to federal, state, or local governments.
• Connecticut Small Business Development Center (SBDC) helps new and existing businesses through no-cost training courses and 1-on-1 advising. They are committed to providing economic equity to underserved businesses in order to help them access the resources and funding needed to maintain a successful business.
• HEDCO, Inc. is a nonprofit Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) that provides financial products and services, along with training and technical assistance. Products include term loans, lines of credit, and grants for small businesses.
• Minority Construction Council (MCC) provides no-cost one-on-one technical assistance with SAM registration, DAS Small Business Certification, and DAS Construction Contractor Prequalification.  Additionally, MCC offers development and safety trainings for small construction contractors.
• Spanish American Merchants Association (SAMA) assists businesses, in particular Latino, to acquire a better understanding of economic principles. Technical assistance is provided to promote business expansion, job creation, and new entrepreneurship.
• Women's Business Development Council (WBDC) supports economic prosperity for women and strengthens communities through entrepreneurial and financial education services.

Many states, municipalities, and organizations offer programs with varying eligibility requirements and application processes. We have provided links to a few of the programs that may interest you below. Please note, these are provided for informational purposes only and are not required to participate in the State of Connecticut Small Business Certification Program.

• City of Bridgeport Small & Minority Business Enterprise
• City of Hartford Supplier Diversity Program 
• City of New Haven Small Contractor Development Program (SCD)
• Department of Transportation (DOT) Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Program
• Greater New England Minority Supplier Development Council - MBE Certification
• State of Massachusetts Supplier Diversity Office
• State of New York Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprise Program
• UCONN Capital Projects and Contract Administration Projects