Los Angeles Regional Small Business Development Centers (SBDC) Network
The Los Angeles Regional Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Network hosted by Long Beach Community College District is part of the nationwide SBDC program, the largest economic development program of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).
SBDCs nationwide provide assistance to over 1.3 million small businesses through free one-on-one business advising and low-cost training seminars in a wide spectrum of subjects to ensure long-term sustainability and viability of small businesses. The SBDC program has over 1,000 centers nationwide, including the territories of Guam, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, the District of Columbia and American Samoa.
One of six regional networks in California, the Los Angeles Regional SBDC Network serves Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, and Ventura counties.
By providing education and technical assistance to small businesses to assist them with issues from operations to financing and exporting, the SBDC Network is strengthening local communities and the economy one business at a time.
For more information about the SBDC, visit www.smallbizla.org.
INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS
The SBDC supports small businesses interested in accessing global trade opportunities through the Center for International Trade Development (CITD) at LBCC, which provides a comprehensive portfolio of export programs and services to Southern California companies, serving established businesses as well as those new to international trade. The CITD has an extensive network of resource partners including the U.S. Commercial Service, foreign trade associations, and trade offices. Below is information about some of LBCC’s programs for small businesses with an international focus.
The International Business Accelerator (IBA) at LBCC
The IBA at Long Beach City College is a 12-week program consisting of alternating weeks of workshops and coaching with your assigned business advisor. You will also benefit from valuable peer learning and networking opportunities with the other founds and founding teams participating in the program. Access to additional business experts is available through the SBDC and programs offered via the LBCC Small Business Academy.
- Pre-revenue, early-stage and established businesses with a:
- Strong global growth potential
- Proven prototype or process (beyond proof of concept)
- Founding team of 2 or more
- Commitment to participate in a 12-week program
Product or service targeted to manufacturing, advanced manufacturing, clean tech, AI or robotics are eligible—and encouraged—to learn more about the program at www.iba.io. Applications for the next cohort are due by March 17, 2017.
E-Commerce Program
Through our partnership with the U.S. Commercial Service E-Commerce Innovation Lab (EiL), we are excited to provide a unique training opportunity for SME’s looking to expand their sales through online cross-border trade or grow their existing global e-commerce strategy.
As part of a Market Development Cooperation Program (MDCP) grant through the International Trade Administration, the Los Angeles CITD hosted by LBCC is recruiting manufacturers looking to expand into the B2B e-commerce space. Learn more at www.citdlb.org!
LINCS Supply Chain Management
LINCS (Leveraging, Integrating, Networking, Coordinating Supplies) is a national supply chain management education and certification program funded by a $24.5 million U.S. Department of Labor TAACCCT grant.
The following Supply Chain Management classes are offered online:
- Customer Service Operations
- Demand Planning
- Inventory Management
- Manufacturing & Service Operations
- Supply Chain Management Principles
- Supply Management & Procurement
- Transportation Operations
- Warehousing Operations