Best Small Business Resources in the Los Angeles Area

Description

Managed Career Services aims to support businesses in California through three programs. The MCS LA Business Source offers a whole suite of services including business planning, mentoring, product development, and more all free of charge. LA Business Source Centers have 9 locations in the Los Angeles area and work with businesses and entrepreneurs from the idea stage all the way to grow a company. Future Entrepreneurs in LA takes young entrepreneurs and teaches them the skills they need to successfully launch a business, gives them the seed funding to get started, and helps them launch their businesses at the end of the program. Working LA is a creative workspace that houses freelancers, startups, and established businesses alike.

Description

The LA CleanTech Incubator is focused on finding and developing the ideas and technologies of companies who are making an impact in the renewable resources scene. Energize California is essentially a networking opportunity for clean energy companies in Los Angeles. Clusters Initiative aims to connect cleantech suppliers, developers, users, etc. in a network that is mutually beneficial, allowing LA’s cleantech companies to be globally competitive. SoCal Edge works to connect high-impact building technology producers with developers looking to build with those materials. The Diversity & Inclusion Initiative is focused on increasing the number of women, people of color, and other underrepresented groups in California’s cleantech scene. The Artist-in-Residence program supports fine artists who use their skills to illuminate the benefits of clean energy/resources in ways that are universal. Working to further promote LACI’s vision, the Port & Goods Moving Cluster brings together a network of businesses and entrepreneurs in the sector to provide cleaner alternatives.

Restrictions

Companies must be located in Los Angeles.

Description

The Latin Business Association offers assistance for Latinos in California in the form of business planning, networking, and legal assistance. With signature events such as LBA Legislative Day, LBA GLOBAL BUSINESS CONFERENCE, access to funding, and a business networking series, LBA aims to help Latino entrepreneurs navigate the process of starting a business.

Restrictions

LBA works with businesses owned and operated by Latinos. Services are provided to members only. 

Description

Los Angeles Public Library offers a large suite of research materials for entrepreneurs looking to start or grow their businesses. The library has a Business & Economics department, a Science, Technology & Patents department at the central branch, and resources like online courses, ebooks, business, technical, and trade journals, and more. The business and economics department holds a small business workshop on the first Wednesday of the month. 

Restrictions

To access the databases from home, you must have a LAPL library card. 

Description

The greatest strength of the SBDC is their free, confidential, 1-on-1 business mentoring for anyone who seeks it. Sometimes in order to be considered for mentoring from one of their professional business advisors, you may have to attend a class/workshop or at least present your business plan. SBDC's are located all throughout the state and you should use the SBDC closest to your location if possible, but you can often transfer to a different location if they do not fit your needs.

Description

SCORE (Service Corp of Retired Executives) is a leading, nation-wide organization that has assisted millions of entrepreneurs over its 50+ years of operation. SCORE is a resource partner of the SBA that offers access to a network of experienced business leaders who donate time to mentor entrepreneurs and small business owners. They also host free or inexpensive workshops online and at 300 local chapters around the United States. Mentoring can be conducted either in person or remotely and is always free and confidential, no matter how often you take advantage of this service.

Description

Operated by the University of Southern California in partnership with the City of Los Angeles, the Minority Business Development Agency empowers people of color in Los Angeles with services like business development, access to capital, access to contracts, access to markets, strategic business development, and a research library.

Restrictions

Works with businesses owned by African Americans, Asian Americans, Hasidic Jews, Hispanic Americans, Native Americans, and Pacific Islanders.

Description

Women's Business Centers are nationwide programs established by the SBA to assist women in starting small businesses. Some of these centers are combined with other local organizations and use that relationship to offer even more services. Each Women's Business Center has counselors who can provide mentorship and assistance with business planning. Women’s Business Centers also provide a network of other businesses, and some have loan programs available

Restrictions

As the name implies, the Women's Business Center is primarily meant for women.

Description

PACE caters to the needs of entrepreneurs and small business owners in Los Angeles who are of Pacific Asian descent. PACE offers 9 programs, the most relevant being business counseling, mentoring, mini-micro loans, workshops, a women’s business center, and workshops.

Restrictions

Open to Los Angeles residents only.