Think Big. Start Small.
With the help of Small Business Development Centers, America’s entrepreneurs and small businesses get the advising and training they need to think big and take the next step towards success.
How the Program Works
The Small Business Development Center (SBDC), hosted by El Camino College is part of a national network of SBDCs offering no-cost business advising by small business experts, help with securing debt/equity financing, and no-cost/low-cost educational events.
SBDCs are sponsored in part by the Small Business Administration (SBA) and local hosts and sponsors. In addition to the SBA, our SBDC is sponsored by the State of California Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development, El Camino College, and local chambers. Funding from these partners supports the operation of the SBDC and allows us to offer assistance at no-cost to the small business community in Southern California.
We can provide assistance to businesses with up to 500 employees and $7.5 million in annual sales depending on the industry. So whether you are currently in business, or would like to start a business, the SBDC is here to help!*
For more information, please visit: southbaysbdc.org
No-Cost Advising
The SBDC employs advisors who have experience owning and operating a small business so they understand the challenges faced by you, the small business owner. In addition to general business advising such as accounting, legal, HR, marketing, social media, financing etc., our areas of expertise include:
- Restaurants/Food Manufacturing/Food Trucks/Catering
- Import/Export
- Creative Arts
- Government Contracting
- Construction Trades
- Retail
- Clothing Manufacturing
We also offer bi-lingual assistance in Spanish and French.
Securing Debt/Equity Financing
Our team of financing experts can help you prepare to apply for all types funding such as SBA loans, bank loans, factoring, equipment loans, and equity financing from investors. We will assist you with pulling together the proper documentation including the creation of financial statements and forecasts, and help you find the appropriate lender if needed, all at no-cost.
Proven Results
Here are some statistics from a study conducted by americassbdc.org:
- Job growth | 1.5% national average versus 17.7% average SBDC client
- Sales growth | 5.6% national average annual sales growth versus 18% average SBDC client annual sales growth
- 60% of SBDC clients start a new business in their first year
- 4.44 out of 5 stars average SBDC rating by clients
Reach out to SBDC
Learn more about the SBDC Hosted By El Camino College, also known as the South Bay SBDC, by visiting our website
Ready for advising services?
A Client Services Representative will contact you once you complete the request and short intake survey that follows. Click here
To learn more about the national SBDC program and the results that SBDC clients experience, click here
* Business that are speculative or illegal under federal law are not eligible for SBDC services. Click here for more information.
Interested in becoming a part-time business advisor?
If you have experience working with small businesses and have an area of expertise such as HR, finance/accounting, loan packaging, marketing, business plan development, start-up or business expansion, then you might be a good fit.
Funded in part through a Cooperative Agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration. All programs and services are offered to the public on a nondiscriminatory basis. All opinions, conclusions, and/or recommendations expressed herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the SBA.
Funded in part through a Grant with the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development. All opinions, conclusions, and/or recommendations expressed herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development.