It’s one thing to have a great idea for a business. It’s another thing entirely to actually put that idea into marketable use. The process can be overwhelming and there will be times when you pull out your hair (or what’s left of it) wondering why you started down this path in the first place.
With the amount of information out there, it can be difficult to figure out where to start. That’s why we’ve combed through the internet and found some helpful startup resources for getting your business dreams off the ground.
Census information on the demographics of your community including population, housing and the economy
A centralized, one-stop platform for businesses to access services to grow and hire
Database of federal government contracting opportunities
Answers to small business tax questions, plus access to forms and publications, a video library, an event calendar and other online tools and products
Supports businesses in minority communities by providing grant and loan information, business opportunities and business certification resources
Nonprofit membership association representing the small business community
Group buying association provides its members with support programs, useful products and services and business-building resource materials
Nonprofit association representing small and independent businesses
Provides independent advice and policy recommendations to the President, Congress, and the US Small Business Administration on economic issues important to female business owners
Helps small business owners through on-on-one counseling, business tools and training programs
District offices in all 50 states provide resources, training and specialists to help start and grow businesses
Resources vary by location, but typically include things like assistance with business planning, access to financing, counseling services and classes
A coalition of trade and professional associations
Membership is dominated by small businesses with 100 employees or less. The Chamber’s website has resources, toolkits on a variety of business topics and information on how you can get your voice heard in Washington, DC.
Comprised of 12 different agencies, the Department promotes job creation and economic growth and works to strengthen America’s position in the global marketplace
Information on U.S. working conditions, labor market activity, and price changes in the economy
Information about export assistance programs and services
Grants U.S. patents and registers trademarks
Education centers for women business owners
Provides assistance and education to certified women's business enterprises and government entities
Supports the development of micro, small and medium-size enterprises in rural North Carolina
Offers entrepreneur-focused programs and online training resources
Identifies, enables and promotes high-growth, high-impact companies to accelerate the entrepreneurial culture of the Research Triangle and North Carolina
Help for entrepreneurs to create, launch and operate their businesses by providing professional mentoring and business education programs that maximize the opportunity for success
An entrepreneurial network where talent, resource information, and leadership come together
A non-profit startup accelerator program
For new ventures and companies that want to grow fast
A multi-city competition that starts as entrepreneurs pitch their business ideas to judges on Friday night
Provides entrepreneurs and startups with the amenities, counseling, and services
An environment full of energy and outcome-centric goals intended to inspire and motivate its members
Provides space and nurturing services to new and small businesses during their critical early existence
Seven-week business boot camp where participants attend half-day training programs to refresh their business knowledge
Assists businesses during their first few years of operation and also provides hands-on management assistance, access to equipment and exposure to critical business and technical support services
Educates, inspires, and supports William & Mary students in developing the skills and mindset of an entrepreneur
Mentors provide free face-to-face meetings and low-cost workshops and events designed to enable entrepreneurs succeed and thrive in today’s challenging business climate
Provides incubation space for young companies
Community workshop and prototyping center that serves entrepreneurs and creators in need of 3D printing, laser cutters/engravers/cutters, CNC’s, welding and related equipment & services
The combination of real interactions with other entrepreneurs and an on-demand ready-to-use educational library gives entrepreneurs actionable solutions to their growth problems
Helps organize a regional entrepreneurial and innovation-based support ecosystem. Delivers mentoring, experience learning sessions, growth modeling and access to capital
Business accelerator by entrepreneurs, for entrepreneurs.
Retail merchants association that provides resources, education & other benefits to startups and small businesses throughout the region.
A business-friendly entry point to engage the intellectual capital, innovative technologies and world-class infrastructure of Old Dominion University
Helps students, faculty and staff collaborate to develop innovative and creative thinking to launch ideas and businesses
Provides space and programming to startups and service providers within the Hampton Roads ecosystem
Provides Business Creation, Incubation & Acceleration services. Your business idea lives or dies by your ability to get to market
Assists area businesses in establishing themselves to bid competitively on federal, state, and local government contracts
Provides engineering and technical expertise to local businesses and organizations who seek to innovate, grow, and achieve performance excellence
Designed to provide entrepreneurial development services such as business training, counseling and mentoring, and referrals for eligible veterans owning or considering starting a small business
Helps elevate women to business success through education, counseling, networking resources and entrepreneurial training.
1 Million Cups is a free, weekly program designed to educate, engage, and connect entrepreneurs.
Dedicated to helping small businesses grow, increase presence in the community and build revenue by offering the resources and tools necessary to succeed
The Global Shapers Community is a network of hubs developed and led by young people who are exceptional in their potential, their achievements and their drive to make a contribution to their communities
Marketers Anonymous is a monthly meet-up run by marketers for marketers. Hear success stories first-hand, learn cutting-edge marketing tactics, discover the latest industry research and insights, and get to know others in the local marketing community.
Full calendar of regular and special events
Full calendar of regular and special events
Calendar of events from CoVaBiz magazine
Updated weekly with a list of networking and professional development events. Includes a form for submitting events
Nice collection of local business and startup events
Search for “Hampton Roads Business Events”
Search results for “Currituck Networking Events”
Search results for “Currituck Business Events”
Up-to-date information from the ever-changing world of business
Quick and accurate business information from across the globe
One of the most trusted names in business
A dedicated, daily news source for entrepreneurs
The latest business trends and advice
A news source and entrepreneur community
Resources on how to write business plans, start a franchise, build a home-based business, and so much more
Run by HubSpot cofounder Dharmesh Shah. This blog offers advice for budding entrepreneurs
A blog ran by David Skok, offering in-depth and tactical entrepreneurial advice
A breakdown of the legal issues associated with starting a business
Expert advice for starting and growing a business
Guides on how to get past the idea stage and start doing
Interviews with successful CEOs who share their secrets
A comprehensive guide to starting and growing your business
Breaking news on everything business related including the stock market, company research, and earnings reports
Ask a question, get an answer
WSJ’s small business guide covering how to start, fund, run and manage your small business
Posts from fellow entrepreneurs and advice from the most successful ones
Case studies on individual entrepreneurs and companies. See how they did it
An online community of entrepreneurs who share experiences and advice
Articles, videos, and blogs from the world’s top minds
A source for creative ideas and possible solutions
Connect with freelancers to help grow your brand
Freelance services starting at $5
Customer feedback software
Ask a question, get an answer... great for market research
Another market research resource
Private website feedback
Mobile analytics and sales data
Website usability testing
Presentation editor
Get your business started in a weekend with the help of experienced entrepreneurs and mentors
Airbnb for workspaces
File all the legal documents required when starting a business with this easy app
Create venture financing term sheets.
Find investors and employees.
Like AngelList, but uses more crowd-sourcing.
Making private investment easy, safe, and secure.
Find investors.
Crowd-funding resource.
Venture capital firms, angel investors and private equity firms directory.
Investor network.
Create beautiful iPhone app landing pages.
Android, iOS, and mobile web app platform.
Create, test, and publish your own game.
Add a powerful and scalable backend to your app in minutes.
Full CMS, no coding app builder for iOS and Android.
Mobile prototyping.
Build HTML5 apps for every mobile device.
User experience design tools for professionals
Marketplace for buying/selling mobile app components
Providing valuable insight into the app store marketplace
App store analytics and market intelligence
iOS app localization (translation) service
Analytics, traffic acquisition and monetization
Easily create apps using well known web technologies
Create a landing page in less than a minute
Setup a launch page for your website
Easy landing page creator
Create apps for iOS and Android, even if you have no coding experience
A top resource for franchise opportunities
Expert advice for franchisees
A complete guide to buying a franchise
Advice and mentoring for franchisees
Learn how franchise ownership can mitigate the risk of starting your own business and help you succeed faster