Eligibility and Fees

To qualify for counseling, businesses must be "small" as defined by the U.S. Small Business Administration. Individuals who are considering starting a business are also eligible for counseling.

Clients must sign a "Request for Counseling" form and must agree to participate in surveys designed to measure the effectiveness of the SBDC program. To help maximize the value of the counseling, clients should prepare a draft business plan before meeting with the counselor.

Financial support from our committed funding partners allows us to provide our professional services at no cost to participants. Training programs and specialized projects or services are provided either at no cost or for a nominal fee.

The Minnesota Small Business Development Centers are funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration.