SBA Vermont District Office
Join us for a webinar to learn how a project management professional can help your small business. Click here on May 3rd 2024 at 1pm to join.
For small business owners, handling numerous projects simultaneously can be daunting. A project management professional steps in to streamline this process, ensuring that products or services are delivered with quality, on schedule, and within financial constraints. They adeptly navigate risks, allocate resources efficiently, and engage with stakeholders effectively. Discover the advantages and cost savings of employing a project management expert at the upcoming VT SBA event featuring Vijay Desai, a seasoned Project Management Consultant.
T.H.R.I.V.E. Emerging Leaders Reimagined is an executive-level training series designed to develop strong leaders and accelerate the growth of high-potential small businesses across the United States.
Since its inception as E-200 in 2008, the series has trained more than 8,000 small business owners, creating over 11,000 jobs, generating nearly $1 billion in new financing, and securing over $4 billion in government contracts.
The application is open for 2024 cohorts including one here in Vermont.
Eligibility Criteria
T.H.R.I.V.E. is open to small business owners and C-level executives who have:
- Annual revenues of at least $250,000
- Been in business for at least three years
- At least one employee, other than self
Program Schedule
2024 cohorts run from June 18th through December 10th. Training includes both
online learning and in‑person sessions over six months. Anticipate about 110+
hours of combined learning, coursework, discussion, and coaching time.
Participation Investment
Free to participate. The only costs are your time and commitment to complete the curriculum and participate in CEO discussion sessions.
Find out more and apply→ SBA T.H.R.I.V.E. Emerging Leaders Reimagined (sbathrive.com).
Apply by May 10th!
Recently, Administrator Isabel Casillas Guzman, head of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and the voice in President Biden’s Cabinet for America’s more than 33 million small businesses and startups, announced the 2024 Growth Accelerator Fund Competition (GAFC) Stage One winners. Each winner received $50,000 in prize awards for impactful and inclusive approaches to foster a thriving, collaborative national innovation support ecosystem to advance small business research and development (R&D).
“SBA’s Growth Accelerator Fund Competition Stage One winners join the SBA’s incredible network of entrepreneurial support organizations contributing to America’s innovative startup ecosystem, ensuring the next generation of science and technology-based innovations scale into thriving businesses,” said Administrator Guzman. “In its tenth year of driving our nation’s innovation ecosystem forward, this competition provides a unique opportunity to recognize the critical importance of those who help entrepreneurs from all backgrounds access opportunities to scale and grow. These GAFC winners advance American competitiveness and help us build an innovation economy that works for everyone.”
"I'm thrilled that LaunchVT, a Vermont-based organization, was awarded this funding," said Darcy Carter, SBA Vermont District Director. "This award recognizes LaunchVT's impactful and inclusive approach to advancing small business research and development."
LaunchVT’s will create a specialized accelerator program in collaboration with Generator Makerspace for gallium nitride tech entrepreneurs developed with the new V-GaN Tech Hub, a consortium with the State of Vermont, the University of Vermont, and GlobalFoundries. By building a strategic network of tech and financial organizations and resources, LaunchVT will prepare startups for significant investment to help their businesses scale, creating outstanding value for all Vermonters.
“Recognition from the SBA is an amazing bellwether for Vermont’s innovation economy,” said LaunchVT’s Director, Lauren Bass. “As Vermont’s high-growth ecosystem matures, we need more startups to build a pipeline for our investment community. This is a win for innovators, investors, and Vermonters alike. GaN tech startups will generate outstanding jobs and stimulate tax revenues reinvested into our communities.”
GAFC Stage One winners are organizations with ecosystem-building activities.
Stage Two of the competition will offer an additional $50,000 to $150,000 in cash prizes awarded to Growth Accelerator Partnerships to assist entrepreneurs that transition R&D into the marketplace. Stage Two submissions will open in June and be prepared jointly by Stage One winners and ecosystem partners; SBA intends to announce 2024 winners for Stage Two by September.
For more information about the Growth Accelerator Fund Competition and how to connect with a Stage Two Growth Accelerator Partnership, please visit SBA Growth Accelerator Fund Competition (americasseedfund.us).
Save The Date
In-person regional workshops featuring one-on-one sessions with federal program staff will take place the week of June 3 during Regional Flood Recovery Symposiums. Exact locations and dates are still being determined.
Symposium organizers want your input. Please weigh in on which topics you would like covered by taking this survey.
For more details about the Regional Flood Recovery Symposiums, please email Mary Kucenski or Erik Filkorn.
The Women’s Economic Opportunity Conference is returning on June 8, 2024, at Vermont State University in Randolph!
After 25 years of stewardship by former Senator Patrick Leahy and his wife Marcelle, Senator Welch’s office is pleased to continue this tradition of bringing Vermonters together to learn, network, and build economic opportunity.
You can learn more about the event and register to attend HERE. If you have any questions, email [email protected] or call 802-863-2525.
Treasurer Pieciak: Small Businesses Have Missing Money
As Vermont’s State Treasurer, I am constantly working to returning missing money to its rightful owner. That’s why during National Small Business Week, I am urging small business owners to check if they have any unclaimed property, missing money, or forgotten assets held by the state.
Unclaimed property can include uncashed checks, unknown refunds, or forgotten stocks and bank accounts. These funds can add up and provide a financial cushion to a small business's bottom line. By taking just a few minutes to search for unclaimed property, small business owners can potentially find money that they can reinvest in their businesses to help them grow and thrive.
It is crucial that we support small businesses in any way possible. Returning these funds will support organizations that are foundational to Vermont’s economy, our communities, and often support Vermont’s most vulnerable. I know these dollars will make a difference in people’s lives.
I encourage all small business owners to search http://missingmoney.com and see if they have any funds waiting for them. It’s a simple and easy process that can yield meaningful results.
SBA Vermont District Office
Phone: 802-828-4422
www.sba.gov/vt