Looking for business resources in the City of Columbus? There are programs run in the City to provide business opportunities, benefits, and grants for women in Columbus, Ohio. This article provides a list of resources for both employees and employers to help women-owned businesses within the City of Columbus. The programs will help you overcome the challenges you face in your daily business operations and make the City of Columbus a better place to live. Keep reading this article for more details.
The Office of Small Business and Entrepreneur Development
The Office of Small Business and Entrepreneur Development serves as a catalyst that drives the economic development of the City of Columbus. The office work to achieve this by providing the tools and resources for female entrepreneurs and business owners. The tools help women business owners to navigate through the business market and ensure success for their enterprises. What is the mission of this office? To provide support aimed at assisting emerging female entrepreneurs and to facilitate the growth and expansion of small businesses through grants, loans, and technical support. The office also works to achieve stabilization and revitalization of the City.
Small Business Ecosystem Assessment
The small business ecosystem assessment identifies the gaps and opportunities for small businesses in the City of Columbus to support the ecosystem. The assessment is carried by collaboration between the City of Columbus and the Next Street and Development Strategies. That ensures that business opportunities are available for women, along with the necessary tools they need to succeed. Read more at https://www.columbus.gov/WorkArea/DownloadAsset.aspx?id=2147510726.
Minority Business Assistance Centers Program
Through the MBAC program, the Columbus Urban League supports the growth and development of women-owned small and minority businesses in the City of Columbus. The program provides services, including training and technical assistance, consulting, and help with government contract opportunities to the emerging women-owned businesses. The program supports them through every stage of business development, including management practices to achieve sustainability and expansion. The achievement of this objective will in turn help in the creation of employment opportunities for further economic growth in the City. For more details, please visit https://www.cul.org/minority-business-assistance-center/.
Small Business Administration (SBA)
The Small Business Administration provides small business support to women through entrepreneurial programs that offer contracts, counseling, funding opportunities, and loan guarantees to ensure the growth of these enterprises. Find out more at http://www.sba.gov/.
Women Educating Women
The purpose of this program is to provide grants to support workforce education. These grants are provided to only the small businesses operated and managed by women in the City of Columbus. How can these enterprises make use of the grants? Well, the grans are used for enhancing business operation skills, including social media marketing and how to set up and run a website. The grants are also used to help small businesses owned by women to obtain the necessary certification in their industry. Learn more about the program at http://womeneducatingwomen2day.org/.
Encouraging Diversity, Growth, and Equity (EDGE) Program
The EDGE program helps women-owned small businesses in obtaining state government contracts to EDGE-certified businesses. You can receive government contracts in the areas of goods and services, construction, and engineering. Why EDGE? The program was specifically designed to support the need to encourage and support the growth of women-owned small businesses and increase the number of entrepreneurs in the City of Columbus. Who qualifies for the program assistance? to qualify for the program support, you must receive EDGE certification and meet other eligibility requirements. For more details, please visit http://das.ohio.gov/Divisions/Equal-Opportunity/Business-Certification/Encouraging-Diversity-Growth-and-Equity-EDGE-Program.
Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) Program
This is a state program that is designed to award government contracts to only women-owned minority businesses in the area of goods and services. please note that the MBE program does not support business in the construction area. The program was established to increase the number of female business owners in the marketplace. Your business must be certified by the MBE to have access to the government contracts. For more details, please visit http://das.ohio.gov/Divisions/Equal-Opportunity/Business-Certification/Minority-Business-Enterprise-MBE-Program.
Thrive Columbus
The Thrive Columbus program works to ensure the immediate needs of women are met. Thrive Columbus connects women to business resources, including funding opportunities and relevant information to help them achieve personal growth. Thrive Columbus strives to unite and inspire women and help in addressing their professional needs. For more information, please visit http://www.thrivecolumbus.org/.
Awesome Women in Business (AWIB)
AWIB is a women’s networking organization committed to linking women with business opportunities for selling their products and services. the organization also focuses on building the relationships that are meant to enhance women’s professional growth. Visit http://awesomewomeninbusiness.com/ and find out more about AWIB.
Dames Bond
Want to improve your business recognition? Why don’t you join the Dames Bond networking organization for more connections and resources to ensure the success and prosperity of your business. The Dames Bond also helps in promoting your business in the marketplace. The organization is specifically designed to bring together businesswomen and consumers to help in the expansion of the economy. For more information, please visit https://www.damesbond.com/.
Entrepreneurship StartupTree Network
Looking to connect with other female entrepreneurs from different parts of Ohio State? Do you want to stay informed about the entrepreneurial activities taking place in Ohio State? want to take part in the special events meant for business connections? Why don’t you join the Entrepreneurship Startup Network at https://osu.startuptree.co/?
Entrepreneurial Law Clinic
The Entrepreneurial Law Clinic provides legal assistance to both startups and already existing women-owned businesses. The clinic provides transactional legal support to a small business experiencing issues with business matters. Please visit https://moritzlaw.osu.edu/clinics/entrepreneurial-business-law-clinic/ to learn more about the program.
ECDI Women’s Business Centers of Ohio (WBCs)
The WBCs of Ohio program is administered by the ECDI, which is a non-profit organization committed to solving the problems of women business owners by providing the resources, including training services and funding options. The organization works to eliminate the obstacles of female entrepreneurs throughout Ohio. The organization also provides networking opportunities, training, and technical support to the participating business owners. Looking for mentorship services in Ohio? This program provides mentorship opportunities to the members of the program. For more details, please visit https://www.wbcohio.org/about/resources.