Small Business Resources

Interested in starting a business? 

Need help in developing a business plan, marketing your product, or growing your business? 

Whether it’s general information, training, or one-to-one business counseling, Iowa has resources for you!

Below is a list of resources available to entrepreneurs and existing business owners:

Local

Waverly Chamber of Commerce

• Supports the economic development for Waverly businesses
• Offers business networking events
• Provides information on financial incentives & assistance
• Members of the Main Street Iowa program
• Monthly Newsletter

Waverly Iowa Economic Development

• Supports business retention, job creation and capital investment
• Database of available commercial buildings and sites
• Information on Incentives & Assistance
• Waverly Economic Development Newsletter

Regional

UNI Small Business Development Center

• One of Iowa's 15 regional business assistant centers
• Serves clients in Black Hawk, Bremer, Buchanan, Butler, Chickasaw, Fayette, Grundy, Howard and Tama counties
• Regional Director: Amy Dutton amy.dutton@uni.edu
• Request Business Counseling

Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center

• One of five Iowa JPEC Centers
• Collaborates with the Iowa SBDC
• Starting or Growing a Business
• Courses and Workshops Calendar
• ​Success Stories

Grow Cedar Valley

• Cedar Valley's One Voice for business and development
• Provides a platform for shared services
• Encourages economic growth in the Cedar Valley 
• Offers multiple small business resources

State

Iowa Small Business Development Center

• No-Fee Business Counseling
• Confidential 
• One-on-One
• Customized
• Affordable Workshops

Advance Iowa

• Iowa's comprehensive consulting program
• ADVANCE Peer Group - Executive Roundtables
• Edward Lowe Foundation - PeerSpectives Roundtable Demo
• IA-CEO Iowa Center for Employee Ownership
• Client Testimonials

IASourceLink

• Iowa's premier online business resource
• Connections to more than 360 resource providers
• Start a Business - A 6-Step Guide
• Industry Specific Start a Business Guide - Daycare, Food Truck, Nonprofit
• Provides Financing Fundamentals
• Free Business Webinars
• Business License Information
• Monthly Newsletter

CIRAS – Center for Industrial Research and Service

• Research-based educational programs to:
  • Improve Financial Performance
  • Upgrade Engineering Capabilities
  • Achieve Manufacturing Excellence
  • Improve Team Performance

Iowa Startup Accelerator

• 6 month accelerator program
• 1:1 coaching with regular reviews
• Part of the GAN Accelerator Network
• Apply online

Startup Weekend

• Learn, Network, Startup in 54 hours
• Experience what it takes to start a business
• Learn how to create a real company
• Meet mentors, investors, cofounders, and sponsors
• Make connections

The Iowa Center for Economic Success

• Self Care For The Small Business Owner 
• Building Big Community For Your Small Business 
• Understanding Your Credit Report 
• DreamBuilder

National

U.S. Small Business Administration

• Access  to Capital
• Government Contracting
• Advocacy
• Local Offices

Miscellaneous Resources

Online Guide for Moving Your Business Online