Providing Comprehensive Business Management & Education Services
for Small Business

Cleveland State University’s Small Business Development Center (SBDC) and SBDC Export Assistance Network (SBDC EAN) is a valuable resource for individuals interested in starting a business and for those in established businesses (with under 500 employees). We provide our services free of charge. How do we define a small business owner? We define small business as employers with less than 500 employees, including entrepreneurs and startups.

Services

Expert advising and one-on-one counseling

The SBDC provides low to no-cost, confidential, in-depth, one-on-one counseling for businesses that will or currently employee under 500 employees. The one-on-one advising is conducted by local subject matter experts and is free, confidential and in-depth. Meetings are by appointment only. We offer both in-person advising and virtual advising.

In addition to individual counseling, we offer training, quality-based assessments, technical assistance, loan packaging guidance and information about federal, state and local regulations and programs.

We can help your business with:

  • Accounting

  • Business start-up planning and training

  • Cash flow analysis

  • Data Analytics

  • Export Assessment and Access to New Markets

  • Financial analysis

  • Loan packaging assistance

  • Market research

  • Regulatory steps

  • Strategic marketing planning

  • Technical assistance 

Events and Workshops

Free workshops and events led by specialists can enhance your knowledge and boost your success. Many events are held virtually and conveniently over ZOOM. 

Location

The Small Business Development Center is a part of the Monte Ahuja College of Business and is located on the Cleveland State University Campus in the Business Building. Our address is 1860 E. 18th Street, Room 308, Cleveland, OH 44114. Meetings are by appointment only, please call to schedule: (216) 687-6902.

Service Area

Services are primarily provided in the nine counties surrounding the Cleveland - Akron - Canton area. Counties include: Cuyahoga, Lorain, Geauga, Summit, Portage,  Lake, Wayne, Medina, and Stark. The SBDC Export Assistance Network (EAN) provides Ohio’s export resources to businesses in 15 counties within the Cleveland-Akron-Canton region.

Funding and Support

The SBDC is able to help your small business by providing complementary advising and education thanks to funding from the SBA and ODSA and support from our host Cleveland State University’s Monte Ahuja College of Business. We are measured by our ability to help you start your business, create and retain jobs, increase sales and obtain financing.