MBDA Business Center Program
Minority Business Development Agency — U.S. Department of Commerce
Free services (no cash grant)
Free business services for minority entrepreneurs
MBDA funds a national network of Business Centers — typically hosted by universities, CDFIs, and nonprofit chambers of commerce — that provide free or subsidized business consulting, contract procurement assistance, and capital access services to minority-owned businesses. MBDA awards cooperative agreements ($250K–$1M+/year) to the host organizations, not directly to individual businesses. Minority entrepreneurs access free MBDA services by connecting with their nearest Business Center. As of 2025, approximately 40 centers operate nationwide.
- Funding type
- Program
- Level
- Federal
- Amount
- Minority-owned businesses receive free consulting and services — there is no direct cash award to individual businesses. MBDA awards $250,000–$1,000,000/year cooperative agreements to the host organizations running Business Centers.
- Realistic amount
- Individual businesses do not receive cash. MBDA Business Centers help minority-owned firms access capital ($500K–$50M+ d…
- Deadline
- Rolling — Business Centers accept clients year-round. Find and contact your nearest center at mbda.gov/businesscenters.
- Status
- active
- States
- Nationwide
- Payment model
- subsidized services
Who qualifies
- Business must be at least 51% owned and controlled by a socially or economically disadvantaged individual — in practice, MBDA primarily serves minority-owned businesses (African American, Hispanic, Asian, Native American, Alaska Native, Hawaiian Native, and other minority groups)
- Business should be for-profit and operating in the United States
- No minimum revenue or employee count requirement, but centers prioritize 'growth-stage' businesses (typically $500K+ revenue) because their services are oriented toward contract capture and capital access
- New or pre-revenue startups may receive limited services; centers focus more impact on scaling businesses
- No SAM.gov registration required to access services (though SAM.gov is required for federal contracting, which MBDA helps facilitate)
Hard requirements
- Must be incorporated
- Minority ownership required
- Demographic eligibility: minority-owned
- 51%+ US ownership required
What it covers
Eligible expenses
- Services are free to eligible minority-owned businesses — no eligible-expense tracking required for the business
- MBDA can help identify funding for: working capital, equipment, real estate, export costs, and bonding/surety for federal contracting
Ineligible expenses
- MBDA Business Centers do not provide direct cash grants or loans to businesses
- Services are not available to businesses that are not minority-owned or are outside the U.S.
How to apply
-
1
Find your nearest MBDA Business Center
Use the Business Center locator at mbda.gov/businesscenters to find the center(s) closest to your business. Multiple centers may serve your region; check which one focuses on your industry (some centers specialize in construction, manufacturing, tech, or export).
~0.5 hrs
-
2
Request an intake meeting
Contact the center directly by phone or email to request an intake session. Be prepared to describe your business, revenue stage, ownership structure, and what assistance you need (contract opportunities, financing, export, etc.). Centers conduct intake to assess fit and prioritize capacity.
~1 hrs
-
3
Complete the client engagement
Accepted clients work with MBDA business development specialists on a defined engagement plan. Typical services include financial statement review, contract readiness assessment, matchmaking with prime contractors, and introductions to capital sources.
~10 hrs
-
4
Pursue contract or capital opportunities
Act on the introductions and connections made by the Business Center. Follow up on prime contractor referrals, apply for certifications facilitated by MBDA (8(a), MBE, DBE), and pursue the capital sources identified. MBDA centers track client outcomes — report wins back to your specialist to strengthen the center's case for continued funding.
~20 hrs
MBDA centers prioritize clients who can close a contract or deal within 6–12 months — bring a specific opportunity, not just a general ask for help.
Deadline & timing
There is no application deadline for accessing MBDA Business Center services. Minority-owned businesses contact a Business Center directly to request an intake meeting. Centers have limited capacity and may have waitlists in high-demand markets. MBDA's cooperative agreements with host organizations are re-competed periodically (typically every 3–5 years); the network is stable.
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Last reviewed 2026. GrantCompass is an independent funding-discovery tool and is not affiliated with any government agency. Always confirm details on the official program page.