Business & Entrepreneurship: Resources for Specific Populations

Become Certified as a diverse supplier (minority, women, veteran, service disabled veteran, and individuals with disabilities owned businesses) or a Small Business Focus (SBF) program vendor. Research procurement opportunities with the State of Delaware.

The Business Enterprise Program team offers self-employment opportunities to interested entrepreneurs with blindness in the areas of food service, vending, and small business kiosks. The Business Enterprise Program is part of the National Randolph Sheppard Program that has been in place for many years in developing partnership opportunities between state agencies for the visually impaired and blind entrepreneurs.

Launchspace, hosted by IRI (Independent Resources, Inc), gives support and resources to entrepreneurs with disabilities seeking to start a business.

Become Certified as a diverse supplier (minority, women, veteran, service disabled veteran, and individuals with disabilities owned businesses) or a Small Business Focus (SBF) program vendor. Research procurement opportunities with the State of Delaware.

Our mutual goal is to enable Black businesses to compete in Delaware. DEBCC works to ensure that minority and other disadvantaged entrepreneurs are not left behind due to unfair assumptions and a lack of effort to help them achieve success. Together, we can provide the necessary assistance and support system and instill a sense of pride in the Black business community.

The US Department of Transportation (USDOT) DBE regulations require recipients of federal financial assistance to establish goals for the participation of disadvantaged businesses. The regulations also require states to certify the eligibility of DBE firms to participate in their USDOT-assisted contracts. DelDOT evaluates each of their USDOT-assisted contracts and establishes contract specific DBE goals to ensure nondiscrimination in federally-assisted projects.

Agency of the US Department of Commerce providing assistance to minority owned businesses.

Become Certified as a diverse supplier (minority, women, veteran, service disabled veteran, and individuals with disabilities owned businesses) or a Small Business Focus (SBF) program vendor. Research procurement opportunities with the State of Delaware.

The US Department of Transportation (USDOT) DBE regulations require recipients of federal financial assistance to establish goals for the participation of disadvantaged businesses. The regulations also require states to certify the eligibility of DBE firms to participate in their USDOT-assisted contracts. DelDOT evaluates each of their USDOT-assisted contracts and establishes contract specific DBE goals to ensure nondiscrimination in federally-assisted projects.

VetBiz is a program from the US Department of Veteran Affairs. Use this site to get certified as veteran-owned business, to learn about becoming a veteran contractor to the federal government or receive training, communications and event services.

Become Certified as a diverse supplier (minority, women, veteran, service disabled veteran, and individuals with disabilities owned businesses) or a Small Business Focus (SBF) program vendor. Research procurement opportunities with the State of Delaware.

The US Department of Transportation (USDOT) DBE regulations require recipients of federal financial assistance to establish goals for the participation of disadvantaged businesses. The regulations also require states to certify the eligibility of DBE firms to participate in their USDOT-assisted contracts. DelDOT evaluates each of their USDOT-assisted contracts and establishes contract specific DBE goals to ensure nondiscrimination in federally-assisted projects.

The NAWBO Delaware Chapter formed to meet the growing needs of women business owners in Delaware. The chapter is an affiliate of The National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) and our mission is to enable women business owners to grow by coming together to share mutual experiences, exchange information and develop business skills.

The Women’s Business Center at True Access Capital (WBC) provides in-depth, outcome-oriented business services to women entrepreneurs. WBC training includes courses on business planning, business financing, social media and marketing. All WBC clients have the opportunity to network with and learn from successful women business owners, including participation in “work-life balance” seminars several times each year. And through its partnership with True Access Capital, the WBC provides access to business capital for women business owners. As an official SBA Resource Partner, the WBC also partners with SCORE and the Small Business Development Center, and other State agencies, to help ensure the success of women and entrepreneurs.

YWCA WAND (Women Achieving New Directions) offers a virtual Boot-camp series to help emerging and start-up businesses focus on 21st-century business development techniques. Including learning how to do a market analysis, create a plan, determine your financials, develop a brand, and operation skills to take a solid business idea to the next level.