Indianapolis SCORE Local Resources

October 10, 2016

Indiana Business Resources:

 

Indiana SCORE Partners:

  • SCORE is a Resource Partner with the U.S. Small Business Administration. Locate the nearest SCORE office or ask SCORE for business advice on-line. This website contains many entrepreneurial tools to set the foundation for your business success.
  • Small Business Administration(SBA)
  • ISBDC (Indiana Small Business Development Center) - The Indiana Small Business Development Center is a state based organization offering a wealth of free and low cost information, management counseling, and educational services designed to support Indiana small business owners and potential entrepreneurs.
  • Central Indiana Women’s Business Center - Provides services to emerging and existing business owners in the 10-county, Central Indiana area. Provides business counseling and a workshop series, supports the Microloan Program.

Indiana State Government:

Indianapolis and Marion County:

  • Indianapolis City Government - Links to all Indianapolis City and Marion County agencies, including the County Recorder and the Economic Development Portal, among many others. For permits, go to "Get a Permit" under Resources on the right side of the home page.
  • Indianapolis-Marion County Public Library - Extensive Market Research Database Resources for many business & technology needs.  Contact:  317-275-4138
  • OpenCounter Indy - Indianapolis.opencounter.com for simplified permitting, licensing, and zoning for Indianapolis businesses.

Federal Government:

To Sell to the Federal Government or a Federal Government Supplier, you will need to make sure that your business is financially sound and that you have an EIN #. Other required information includes: Business Name, Address, Phone #, Business Start Date, Number of Employees, Line of Business, Annual Sales, and Primary Officer Name and Title.

To start the process:

  1. To obtain a D-U-N-S Number: number
  2. Register with the System for Award Management (SAM)
  3. Obtain a North American Industry Classification System Code (NAICS)
  4. Find your Standard Industrial Classification Code (SIC)
  5. Register with the GSA Schedule
  6. Search Federal Business Opportunities (FBO) for Contracting opportunities
  7. Procurement Technical Assistance Center

Potential Sources of Financial Aid:

Crowdfunding Sites:

  • KickStarter - 5% fee of funds collected if project is successfully funded plus 3-5% processing fees. Mainly creative, arts, media, or technology projects.
  • Indiegogo - Global site to raise money for for-profit ventures and for 501(c)(3) non-profits. No fees to launch project, 5% fee on funds collected plus 3-5% transaction fees.
  • LocalStake - Investment crowdfunding platform where small businesses raise funding from investors in the community.Start-ups or established business can apply. Investors receive either a share of future revenues or equity ownership in the business.

Micro Loans:

  • Business Ownership Initiative (BOI) - Provides access to capital through BOI Micro Loans ($1,000 - $50,000+). Helps clients by providing basic business start-up tools. Offers training programs to assist business owners. Provides business templates, works with start-ups and established businesses. Focuses on Marion County.
  • Bankable powered by Flagship - Source of loans to small businesses in amounts up to $50,000. Covers Central Indiana
  • Central Indiana Women’s Business Center - Provides services to emerging and existing business owners in the 10-county, Central Indiana area. Provides business counseling and a workshop series, supports the Microloan Program.

Venture Capital Resources:

  • Indiana Venture Center - A privately funded not-for-profit organization serving as a catalyst for the creation and growth of entrepreneurial, high growth businesses in Indiana .
  • Indy Partnership - A privately funded not-for-profit organization dedicated to strengthening the economic growth of the Indianapolis Region which included Boone, Hamilton, Hancock, Hendricks, Johnson, Madison, Marion, Morgan, Monroe, Shelby, Tippecanoe counties.

Chambers of Commerce:

Universities:

Demographic Resources:

  • American Factfinder - On-Line database for population, housing, geographic, and economic data
  • Demographic Look-ups
  • Geographic Information Systems (GIS) - GIS provides modern geographical maps - of streets, buildings, neighborhoods, even subterranean infrastructure - using 21st century technology. Useful for determining the location of a new business.

How To Start a Non-Profit Organization:

Starting a Veteran-Owned Business:

  • Boots to Business - Focuses on veteran small businesses and federal procurementopportunities.
  • United States Department of Veterans Affairs - Navigate through relevant topics to access information on starting a business....to support the start-up, development, or growth of veteran’s small businesses.

Other Useful Information:

Key Topics

Indianapolis SCORE Local Resources