Below are just some of the federal, state and local organizations that contribute to the economic success of the region. Select a web address or logo to visit an organization’s web site and learn more about the many resources available to small businesses in Massachusetts & Rhode Island!

SEED Venture Finance LLC

SEED Venture Finance’s primary focus is to provide growth, recapitalization and acquisition financing for small and medium size businesses located primarily in southeastern Massachusetts and Rhode Island. The firm is also licensed by the U.S. Small Business Association to operate as a small business investment company (SBIC).

U.S. Small Business Administration

U.S. SBA provides a wide variety of services to people looking to start-up or expand their own businesses. In addition to financing–provided through banks and certified development corporations (CDCs) like SEED Corp. The SBA is a great resource for information about business plans, counseling, entrepreneurial workshops, and obtaining patents and trademarks.

SBA Online Womens Business Center

SBA Online Women’s Business Center (OWBC) promotes the growth of women-owned businesses through programs that address business training and technical assistance, and provide access to credit and capital, federal contracts, and international trade opportunities.

Massachusetts Office of Business Development (MOBD)

The mission of MOBD is to assist in the creation and preservation of jobs in Massachusetts. Visit the MOBD Web site for information about the state’s business climate, workforce and technical resources, tax incentives and obtaining permits.

Massachusetts Small Business Development Center (MSBDC)

MSBDC’s Network provides free, confidential, one-to-one management and technical assistance counseling and low-cost educational training programs to prospective and existing small businesses throughout the Commonwealth. There is an MSBDC counseling or satellite office within 30 minutes of any potential client in the state. The MSBDC also provides specialized services in the areas of capital formation, minority business assistance, international trade and procurement technical assistance.

The Rhode Island Small Business Development Center (RISBDC)

The RISBDC provides entrepreneurs with the best fit resources to create, transform and grow their businesses. They provide broad-based and high-quality, no-cost one-to-one counseling and low-cost group educational services. They connect university, government, banking, private sector and other community-based resources to support small businesses and to promote economic development.

State Office of Minority and Women Business Assistance (SOMWBA)

SOMWBA is an agency within the Commonwealth of Massachusetts that helps promote the development of business enterprises and non-profit organizations owned or operated by minorities and women.

Brockton 21st Century Corporation

Brockton 21st Century Corporation is a private, non-profit economic development agency that has formed a unique partnership with the City of Brockton, acting as the City’s economic development agency – retaining, attracting, and growing business and making Brockton a better place to live, work, and invest.

Cape Cod Technology Council, Inc.

Cape Cod Technology Council is an organization of Cape Cod-based technology companies and groups who promote their own development. The council works to keep technology companies on Cape Cod and encourages new companies to establish their year round businesses in the area. Cape Cod Technology Council’s Web site contains an extensive member directory of local technology companies.

Center for Marketing Research (CMR)

The mission of the Center for Marketing Research is to facilitate the economic development of the region by providing an affordable, high-quality economic alternative to meeting business needs for research, training, and consulting in any and all aspects of Marketing.

Center for Women and Enterprise

The Center for Women and Enterprise (CWE) provides education, training, technical assistance and access to capital to ensure that all women, regardless of their economic status, will have the opportunity to start and run their own businesses.

Community Development Partnership

Community Development Partnership supports the development of Lower Cape Cod businesses through their Business Builders Program by providing micro loans, business training and technical assistance to small businesses. The organization also provides assistance to those in the fishing and aquaculture industries on Cape Cod.

Downtown New Bedford, Inc.

DNB is committed to enhancing the economic health of downtown New Bedford and is dedicated to promoting a favorable environment for all residents, and for the attraction and growth of small business.

Counselors to America’s Small Business

This non-profit organization provides counseling for small business entrepreneurs both in person and on line. Their Web site isfrequently updated with informative articles covering a wide scope of issues important to small business owners.

Southeastern Regional Planning and Economic Development District (SRPEDD)

SRPEDD is the regional planning agency for 26 communities in Southeastern Massachusetts. The organization provides invaluable data and support services to southeastern Massachusetts in the areas of comprehensive planning, transportation, economic development, environmental planning, demographics and Geographic Information Services (GIS).

The Neighborhood Corporation

The Neighborhood Corporation’s mission is to improve the economic well-being of the City of Taunton and to promote community involvement by addressing the many economic and community development needs and problems, especially those of low-income families and individuals.

If you would like to become a SEED partner and place a llink to your organization’s Web site on this page, please contact Angela Knight.

For more information, please contact SEED Corp.

SEED is an equal opportunity lender and business assistance provider.

Chambers of Commerce

Your local chapter of the Chamber of Commerce can be a great resource:

Partnerships