Getting Started

The Small Business Development Centers of South East Ohio work with business at all stages of their development. You qualify if you have fewer than 500 employees or less than $10,000,00 in revenue. We offer assistance in all aspects of start-up and operations, stepping you through a process that increases your chance of growth and success. Click below on the stage that best describes your company. Services are free or low-cost.

Pre-Venture Checklist
Have an idea brewing that you’d like to turn into a product or service? This sequence of services will help you find out if your concept is ready for launch or needs to go back to the workbench for some retooling.

Start-Up Checklist
If your business if off the ground but still sputtering at times when it comes to operations, marketing, financing or cash flow, these services will get you on a steady course to growth.

Existing Business Checklist
Are you experiencing some growing pains, looking for some creative ways to become more competitive, curious about opening an overseas market? Take your business to the next level with these services.

Useful Links

1st Stop Business Connection
A business information kit of state-level information and resources for Ohio’s emerging businesses from the Ohio Department of Development

Start-Up Guide
A comprehensive resources of things you need to consider, know and do to get a business started from the U.S. Small Business Administration

Entreworld.org
A world of advice, information and resources for entrepreneurs from the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation

The Capital Connection
A well-respected site full of information on where and how to mount a search for angel and venture capital, with good books on the subject too.

U.S. Bureau of the Census
Volumes of searchable information from the latest census to help inform your business.

MoneyHunt Business Plan Template
The Haas School of Business at the University of California-Berkeley considers this one of the best basic templates for writing a business plan.

Secretary of State Business Services
Search for a business in Ohio by name or other parameters or find the necessary corporate filing forms for your business.
Search Business Name Availability

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Voinovich School, Building 20, The Ridges, Ohio University, Athens, Ohio 45701 · 740–593-1797

The Small Business Development Center of Ohio (SBDC) program is funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration. The SBDC program is also funded in part by the Ohio Department of Development. All opinions, conclusions or recommendations expressed are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the SBA. Reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities will be made if requested at least two weeks in advance. Contact (name, address, and phone number of person who will make the arrangements).