ASCENT: U.S. Small Business Administration

ASCENT: U.S. Small Business Administration 

On January 11th, the U.S. Small Business Administration announced the launch of a new program, ASCENT. Ascent was created as a resource for women entrepreneurs to expand their knowledge through an online learning platform.

Women own or co-own 45% of all businesses in the United States. These businesses represent all types of industries and are owned by all types of women. The majority are small, with great potential for growth in both revenues and job creation. That’s why the SBA created Ascent and packed it with in-depth information to help grow the economic potential of women owned businesses in the U.S.

Ascent is a FREE online platform. Avoid taking pricey business classes or reading through multiple sites that lead you in all sorts of directions. Find the best support, insights, and guidance by real entrepreneurs for entrepreneurs.

The Ascent platform was designed for easy use and navigation. Easily find the topics you need and track your progress using the Dashboard feature. Ascent is divided into major topics called Journeys, developed by experts in women’s entrepreneurship. Choose any journey to start and feel free to skip the ones you already know. Make it your own journey according to the knowledge you need for your venture. Ascent has five different Journeys starting with Disaster and Economic Recovery, Strategic Marketing, Your People, Your Business Financial Strategy, and Access to Capital.

Within each Journey, you’ll find Excursions which include the tools you need to master each topic. Each excursion includes a time estimate for completion. You’re the boss of when and how to apply these tools to your business. Start your journey today! Visit, https://ascent.sba.gov/ to get started.

Key features Ascent offers: 

• Exercises & Tools – Learn and apply growth practices to your business.

• Fireside Chats – Learn from experts about how women grow their businesses.

• Infographics – Gain a snapshot view of growth concepts.

• Success Stories – Be inspired by stories from real-world entrepreneurs.

• Discussion Guides – Use questions to stimulate thinking for you, your advisors or team.

• Videos – Grasp key concepts in just minutes.

• Key Insights – Understand key topics to support your business growth.

• Self-Assessments – Benchmark your current practices through self-focused inventories.