12 resources to grow your business in Austin

Build within the best city for business

It’s no secret that Texas is an ideal business center. For 15 years straight, Texas has held Chief Executive’s ranking as the best state for business.

And Austin doesn’t fall far from the tree. In fact, it’s one of the key cities upholding Texas’  business reputation. Austin ranks fourth in the top 100 cities to start a business and first for business environment.

With stats like that, it’s no surprise that Austin has amazing business resources. If you’re starting or growing your small business in Austin, these are some resources you need to check out.

Information, advocacy, and events

Austin Independent Business Alliance

AIBA works to “promote and support locally owned businesses through advocacy, consumer education and services to our members.”

They’re based on advocating for small businesses and keeping consumers involved and informed about the importance of buying local. To promote the best of Austin businesses, they host an annual Indie Biz Party where unique businesses are given Armadillo Awards. 

For more information on how AIBA can help your small business grow, click here.

Chamber of Commerce

Austin’s Chamber of Commerce is a non-profit organization advocating for local businesses in order to promote community growth, both locally and globally. The organization’s strong focus on job creation makes small business growth a priority. They’re also invested in demonstrating Austin’s global advantage to investors and corporations worldwide.

To help small businesses start and growth, they provide site analysis and job connection services. 

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Opportunity Austin

Opportunity Austin has helped create 424,800 since 2004. They’ve worked to help create and expand jobs, effectively lowering the poverty rate. 

They support employer expansion, develop sustained competitiveness, and craft hard working public policy. Check out their plans for the future of Austin.

Furthermore, Austin is known for its diversity. Connect with your business community, check out the list of advocacy groups below. 

• Greater Austin Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
• Greater Austin Black Chamber of Commerce
• Austin Asian-American Chamber of Commerce
• Austin Young Chamber of Commerce
• Austin Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce

Meetup.com

Aside from LinkedIn, there are many social media platforms that can help get your business network growing. 

Check out events on Meetup.com to find events involving similar players in Austin’s business community. This site helps businesses find community events and meetings for businesses like them. Find out what’s going on in your area, like Austin’s Startup Meetup, and get involved in the business community, or create your own event.

Training, mentorship, and courses

BizAid Business Orientation & BizOpen

BizAid Business Orientation is a free course offered to help answer key questions involved in opening or re-evaluating a business.

There are many online and in-person courses available along with BizAid Business Orientation and BizOpen. If not free, their courses vary from $15.00 to $75.00.

Austin Score

Austin Score employs a collection of experienced mentors with backgrounds in business management and entrepreneurship that can help guide aspiring and growing entrepreneurs to stay on track and build their business strategies. 

Their mentors span across several industries, including strategy and business plans, legal, business structure, marketing & sales, PR, Finance, accounting & loans, selling & buying a business, manufacturing, engineering, retail, food, publishing, printing & design, construction & contractors, import & export, patents, trademarks, copyright, and non-profit.

They offer free and confidential face-to-face and email mentoring, workshops for startups and small businesses.

Locally, throughout 2017, they helped to create 585 new businesses and 698 jobs.

Want to learn more? Click here for more business resources.

Economic Growth Business Incubator

EGBI is a highly rated nonprofit organization that provides information and coaching to aspiring and existing business owners. 

They offer training courses to help businesses define their ideas, grow their plans, and manage their businesses.

They teamed up with the Greater Austin Hispanic Chamber of Commerce to launch their program Entrepreneurship 4 All, which helps individuals that want to start a business but don’t know where to start, and for those looking to grow a business or idea.

If you’re looking to open a startup in Austin, you’ll need EGBI’s resource guide, which lists links to important applications, permits, and tax information for all business owners.

FASTForward

FASTForward is a 10-week training program for Austin-based small businesses designed to accelerate business growth and maximize profit. The program was developed by the IC² Institute at The University of Texas at Austin and is supported by the City of Austin.

Funding, loans, and payments

BiGAUSTIN

BiGAUSTIN provides lending, consulting, and education for businesses, advocating for marginalized business owners. Their loans vary for each business, so make sure to read through the requirements before starting your application or scheduling an appointment.

They also offer a number of programs for businesses including Maximize Business Achievement, Survive & Thrive, Texas Business Opportunity & Development, Start Smart, and Contractor Readiness Resource Center. They provide free classes for IT and Construction to qualified individuals, and provide assistance with job placement. 

Visit their site to see the criteria for qualification.

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City of Austin’s Small Business Program

Among many other resources, the City of Austin has a variety of funding support for starting and growing businesses. One of these is their Business Expansion Incentive Program, which is described as a “pay-for-performance program” that awards high-impact projects. Growing locally has many benefits. 

See Small Biz Austin’s Twitter to stay informed about small business resources.

The Small & Minority Business Resources Department

The City of Austin is dedicated to helping startups develop and small businesses grow and relocate in Austin. Check out the other resources offered and promoted by the city to keep your business healthy, funded, and connected.

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