The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) helps American start, build, and grow small businesses, in every part of the country. SBA’s Office of Native American Affairs (ONAA) offers small business development assistance and resources to Native entrepreneurs. Both SBA and ONAA have a wide variety of resources about small business development generally and about the specific concerns of Native entrepreneurs and Native-owned businesses.
Native- and Tribal-Specific Business Resources
Office of Native American Affairs
SBA.gov web page | Native- and Tribal-Specific Business Resources
SBA’s Office of Native American Affairs (ONAA) ensures that American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian business owners and entrepreneurs have full access to business development and expansion tools through SBA’s entrepreneurial development, lending, and procurement programs.
ONAA’s Resource Guide for American Indians, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians
6 pages, PDF, 11.3 MB | Native- and Tribal-Specific Business Resources
A downloadable resource guide created by ONAA that collects general information to new and established Native-owned small businesses about growth opportunities and government support programs.
Technical Assistance Centers for Native American Businesses
Native Business Technical Assistance Centers
ONAA web page | Technical Assistance Centers for Native American Businesses
ONAA offers free technical assistance to Native entrepreneurs and business owners through seven centers located across the country, including one located in Hawaii serving Native Hawaiian-owned businesses.
Native Business Alliances
The Center for American Indian Enterprise Development
ncaied.org | Native Business Alliances
A national nonprofit organization that has assisted tribes and tribal enterprises with economic development for over 40 years. NCAIED seeks to grow and develop the American Indian private sector across the country.
General Business Resources
8(a) Business Development Program
SBA.gov web page | General Business Resources
The 8(a) Business Development Program is a program for specially qualified businesses that are small, socially or economically disadvantages, or Native-American owned. A Native-owned business can choose to apply to this program as a business development strategy.
Certified Development Company
data.gov list and map | General Business Resources
Certified Development Companies (CDCs) are nonprofit corporations certified and regulated by SBA that work with participating lenders to provide financing to small businesses. There are 243 CDCs nationwide, each covering a specific geographic area. Find one near you.
Disaster Field Office
SBA.gov web page | General Business Resources
The Office of Disaster Assistance provides low-interest disaster loans to repair or replace property damaged or destroyed in a declared disaster. There are two offices: Disaster Field Operations Center – East (FOCE) and Disaster Field Operations Center – West (FOCW).
Veterans Business Outreach Centers (VBOCs)
SBA.gov web page | General Business Resources
The Veterans Business Outreach Center (VBOC) Program provides entrepreneurial development services to transitioning service members, veterans, National Guard & Reserve members, and military spouses interested in starting or growing a small business. There are 22 organizations participating in this cooperative agreement and serving as VBOCs.
Women's Business Centers (WBCs)
SBA.gov web page | General Business Resources
SBA Women’s Business Centers are a national network of more than 100 centers that offer one-on-one counseling, training, networking, workshops, technical assistance and mentoring to women entrepreneurs. Find a nearby WBC for more assistance.
Procurement Technical Assistance Centers (PTACs)
aptac-us.org/about-us | General Business Resources
The nationwide Procurement Technical Assistance Program has 94 Procurement Technical Assistance Centers (PTACs)—with over 300 local offices—that that help local businesses compete successfully in the government marketplace. Connect with your local PTAC to learn more about government contracting.