The Resource Navigator

America’s Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Iowa – Ames

America’s SBDC Iowa provides free, customized business advice and low cost training to entrepreneurs and existing businesses, plus access to other information and experts.

About

Established in 1981, America’s SBDC Iowa provides free, confidential, customized business advice and low cost, practical training workshops to entrepreneurs and existing businesses with up to 500 employees. Advice and assistance is provided with business planning, new business guidance, financing options, cash flow projections, loan proposals, business expansion, market research, exporting, marketing, exit strategies, business continuity and more. We also provide comprehensive information services and access to subject matter experts in a variety of fields. We are the only nationally accredited entrepreneurial development organization in Iowa. Our network of 15 regional assistance centers serves all 99 Iowa counties. On average, our clients grow significantly faster than the average Iowa business. The Iowa Small Business Development Center at Iowa State University works in partnership with the ISU Pappajohn Center to assist technology-based businesses as well. Services offered by the center include market assessment assistance, business plan development, fundraising, intellectual property guidance and numerous operational areas. The center is located in the ISU Research Park adjacent to the incubator where both office and wet-lab space are available for rent.

Services Provided

Business Planning

  • Business Plan Consulting, Development and Review (Specialty)
  • Business Plan Training (Specialty)
  • Census Data
  • Market Plan Development (Specialty)
  • Market Research

Management Issues and Training

  • Human Resources
  • Leadership/Professional Development
  • Mentoring
  • Recruiting Assistance

Financial Resources and Assistance

  • Assistance in Finding Debt Funding (Specialty)
  • Assistance in Finding Equity Funding (Specialty)
  • Assistance in Finding Government Funding (Specialty)
  • Bookkeeping/Accounting Software Training (Specialty)
  • Consulting (Specialty)
  • Insurance Information
  • Loan Packaging (Specialty)
  • Technology Grants

Marketing/Sales

  • Advertising
  • Brochure Design
  • Competitive Analysis
  • E-Commerce
  • Market Plan Development
  • Research (Domestic Markets)
  • Student Provided Research
  • Web Site Development
  • Census Data
  • Internet Marketing
  • Identification of Foreign Markets

Networking Organizations

  • Small Business/General

Selling to the Government and Large Corporations

  • Bid Matching and Preparation
  • Government & Military Specifications
  • Price History
  • Registration Assistance
  • HUB Zone Certification
  • Subcontracting Opportunities
  • Obtaining Government Contracts
  • Obtaining Corporate Contracts
  • Disadvantaged Business Enterprise
  • Training

Regulatory Compliance

  • Government Requirements
  • Registration, Licenses and Permits
  • Patent Information
  • Trademark & Copyright Information
  • Advising

Tax Services

  • Assistance

Technical Assistance

  • Commercialization
  • Industrial Technology Research
  • Technology Transfer
  • Website Development
  • Computerized Bookkeeping (installation & training)
  • Technical Support
  • Training

Training

  • Annual Budget
  • Bookkeeping
  • Business Management
  • Business Plan
  • Cash Flow Projections
  • E-Commerce: Doing Business on the Web
  • Financial Statements
  • Home-Based Business
  • Marketing Plan
  • Pre-Business Planning

Product Development

  • Patent Information

Buying or Selling a Business

  • Buying or Selling a Franchise
  • Purchasing an Existing Business (Specialty)

Manufacturing, High Tech, Life Sciences Development

  • Manufacturing Development
  • High Tech Development
  • Life Sciences Development

Starting a Business

  • Business Research
  • Feasibility Studies
  • Forming a Business
  • Registration, Licenses and Permits
  • Startup Business Counseling

Mentoring

  • Mentoring Program

Franchising

  • Buying or Selling a Franchise

Export Assistance

  • Research of Foreign Markets
Contact Information
Leah Locke
Address
1805 Collaboration Place
Suite 1330
Ames, IA 50010