Difference Between Small Business Development Centers and Entrepreneurial Centers

June 19, 2015

Dear Cathy:

I am finally ready to start a business but is looking for more business resources.  Is there a difference between Small Business Development Centers and Entrepreneurial Centers?  Business Bound, New Jersey

Dear Business Bound:

Small Business Development Centers (SBDC) provide business advice to entrepreneurs within the community, whereas entrepreneurial centers are academically linked to a college or university and provide a curriculum for students with an outreach program for entrepreneurs in the community.

The Small Business Administration (SBA.gov) works with Small Business Development Centers (SBDC).  These centers are another underutilized entrepreneurial center.

As more and more businesses go out of business, more than 300 colleges have started teaching some variation of an entrepreneurial curriculum that includes courses, lectures, seminars, workshops, and outreach programs.  Most entrepreneurs take courses or work with teachers or students to strengthen their business practices. 

Entrepreneurial centers also present fertile networking opportunities for start-up entrepreneurs.  These centers provide more in-depth advice than Small Business Development Centers (SBDC) and tend to cater to entrepreneurs with more business experience.

To read more on how business works read “How To Take Control of Your Own Life: ASelf-Help Guide to Starting Your Own Business” – available as an e-book and paperback.