We love the fact that we are located in Austin, it is a great place for small businesses! There are tons of resources available for entrepreneurs like you. At EGBI we equip you with the toolset that will help you establish a business and succeed as a business owner and we work hard to be the best resource for you. However, we want to make you aware of other valuable organizations in our city that can also help you along the way.

Need a business mentor? Want to become a mentor?

In partnership with Capital One and MicroMentor, the world’s largest network of entrepreneurs and volunteer business mentors, EGBI, BCL and People Fund are happy to bring you MicroMentor Texas – an online community designed to connect mentors and entrepreneurs throughout Texas to solve challenges together and support one another through challenging times.

Mentors connect  with a small business owner 1:1 or in the community forum for different reasons and including reasons listed below.

  • Budgeting and Financial Planning
  • Online Sales
  • Hiring and Training
  • Marketing and Advertising
  • Business Strategy and Goal Setting
  • Customer Service and CRM
  • And Other Business Management Skills

Important links for start-up businesses

Apply for a D.B.A. (Doing Business As) or Certificate of Incorporation

Apply for an Employer Identification Number (EIN) with the IRS

Obtain a State Sales Tax Permit

Apply for a Trademark

Apply for a Patent

PATENT LAW CLINIC

Investigate any Special Environmental Regulations

Apply for City of Austin Beer/Liquor License

Apply for City of Austin Food Establishment

Apply for State License

Tax Help for the Self-Employed

vETERAN’S SMB GUIDE WITH TOOLS AND FINANCIAL RESOURCES

Foundation Communities offers free tax preparation for small business owners with up to $25,000 in annual business expenses.

Tax Resources for Small Businesses

Food Trailers (Article by Austin Chronicle)

Counseling, Training and General Resources

Small Business Administration (SBA)

SBA offers a variety of programs and support services to help you navigate the issues you face with your initial applications and resources to help after you open for business.

City of Austin Small Business Program (SBP)

The City of Austin SBDP provides counseling, assistance and business solutions to emerging small businesses. SBDP develops and empowers small businesses in order to strengthen their business capability and survivability.

The City of Austin Small Business Division offers a comprehensive directory of small business resources offered by local, state, and federal governments and non-profit agencies.

SCORE

SCORE is a nonprofit association dedicated to helping small businesses get off the ground, grow and achieve their goals through education and mentorship. They provide mentors, counseling, tools, and workshops at no charge or at very low cost.

Financing

BCL of Texas

BCL of Texas’s goal is to increase employment and economic development by stimulating the flow of capital and modernization of small businesses in the BCL of Texas region

BiG Austin

BiG Austin assists small businesses to successfully grow by providing comprehensive education, tailored business counseling, and flexible loans.

LiftFund

LiftFund’s mission is to provide credit and service to small businesses that do not have access to loans from commercial sources and to provide leadership and service to the micro-lending field on a national level.

PeopleFund

PeopleFund provides small business loans as well as business assistance and education to people with otherwise limited access to such resources.

Certification

Minority, Women, Disadvantaged and/or Small Business Enterprise Certifications

The City of Austin Small & Minority Business Resources (SMBR) provides certification services to businesses that qualify as a Minority, Women and/or Disadvantaged Owned Business. SMBR also has a certification as a Small Business Enterprise for construction projects with an estimated budget of less than $50,000.

Texas Historically Underutilized Business (HUB) Certification

A HUB is a business that is at least 51% owned by an Asian Pacific American, Black American, Hispanic American, Native American and/or American woman; it is a for-profit entity that has not exceeded the size standards prescribed by 34 TAC §20.23, and has its principal place of business in Texas; and it has an owner residing in Texas with a proportionate interest that actively participates in the control, operations and management of the entity’s affairs.
* Vendors may also receive HUB certification by way of a certification memorandum of agreement the Statewide HUB Program has entered into with the City of Austin SMBR.

Trade & Export

Office of the Governor Small Business Assistance (Texas Wide Open for Business)

Among other information, the site includes links to websites that provide Texas small businesses with the necessary resources to take advantage of export opportunities and the growing global marketplace. Small businesses will find information including trade counseling, training, legal assistance, and publications to help them get to the next level of global competition.

Austin U.S. Export Assistance Center of the U.S. Department of Commerce

The Austin U.S. Export Assistance Center of the U.S. Department of Commerce is part of the U.S. Foreign Commercial Service, a federal agency with an extensive network of trade specialists located in the U.S. and throughout the world devoted to assisting U.S. companies expand their international business presence.

Workforce Resources

Workforce Solutions Capital Area

Through the fostering of partnerships and collaborations, researching and sharing of labor market and economic information, identifying workforce needs of employers and residents, and consulting and advising on public policy, Workforce Solutions helps to connect and align the efforts of the regional workforce system. Together we are enabling people and businesses to be competitive in a global market.

Chambers of Commerce and Trade Associations

Austin Black Contractors Association

Its mission is to promote, business and economic development opportunities for African American contractors and other small minority contractors in the Austin Metropolitan Area.

Austin Chamber of Commerce

Its mission is to provide leadership that facilitates the creation of a prosperous regional economy and effective advocacy for our Members.

Greater Austin Asian American Chamber of Commerce

Our mission is dedicated to the prosperity of the greater Austin area’s Asian American businesses and their business partners so that our community will continue leading in economic growth, development, and inclusion.

Greater Austin Black Chamber of Commerce

Its mission is to promote the development of African-American businesses and the expansion of the Greater Austin business community by providing resources, technical assistance, and leadership on policy issues that enhance economic growth and by promoting convention and tourism.

Greater Austin Hispanic Chamber of Commerce

Its mission is to build their members’ wealth…through programs and services in economic and workforce development, business networking, and community and policy advocacy.

US Hispanic Contractors Association

Mission is to provide and support advancement for economic growth of the members of the United States Hispanic Contractors Association de Austin and our regional community.

Why do Small Business Owners Matter to Texas?

  • Small businesses account for the majority of the employers within the State of Texas, and are a driving force behind our economy. New business creation is vital to our ability to increase the gross state product, state personal income, and total state employment.
  • There are more than 2.2 million small businesses in Texas. Of these, more than 390,000 were direct employers, and they accounted for over 45% of private-sector jobs in the state. Small firms made up more than 98% of the state’s employers.
  • Business ownership is becoming more diverse and inclusive in the state. In the last decade, the number of both women and minority small business owners has grown. In particular, minority-owned businesses recently numbered over 725,000.

Source: Texas Wide Open for Business, 2012

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