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

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

Management Issues and Training

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

Financial Resources and Assistance

  • Technology Grants
  • 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)

Marketing/Sales

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

Networking Organizations

  • Small Business/General

Selling to the Government and Large Corporations

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

Regulatory Compliance

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

Tax Services

  • Assistance

Technical Assistance

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

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

  • High Tech Development
  • Life Sciences Development
  • Manufacturing 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