Introduction to SBA Mentor Protege Program

Description

Your small business can learn from an experienced government contractor about the SBA's Mentor-Protégé program: A mentor and their protégé can joint venture as a small business for any small business contract, provided the protégé individually qualifies as small. The joint venture may also pursue any type of set-aside contract for which the protégé qualifies, including contracts set aside for 8(a), service-disabled veteran-owned, women-owned, and HUBZone businesses. Protégés can get valuable business development help from their mentors in several areas, including: Guidance on internal business management systems, accounting, marketing, manufacturing, and strategic planning. Financial assistance in the form of equity investments, loans, and bonding. Assistance navigating federal contract bidding, acquisition, and the federal procurement process. Education about international trade, strategic planning, and finding markets. Business development, including strategy and identifying contracting and partnership opportunities. General and administrative assistance, like human resource sharing or security clearance support. Presenters: Scott Poole, Government Contracting Consultant, SC SBDC Byron Carroll, President, Carroll Communications