WASHINGTON — The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and Business Forward Inc., a non-profit organization working with small business leaders in support of policies promoting America’s economic competitiveness, have announced the launch of the Small Business Digital Alliance.
A joint public-private co-sponsorship, the Small Business Digital Alliance will connect small businesses with tech resources to start and expand their e-commerce business. The new initiative will also feature a series of free briefings and training to help small businesses access and use these digital tools to reach new markets, find diverse talent, improve operations, and raise capital.
“The world’s economy has grown increasingly digital, particularly over the course of the pandemic, and small businesses have pivoted and adapted by adopting technology at incredibly high rates. Through our new Small Business Digital Alliance and agreement with Business Forward, the SBA will help more small businesses accelerate their online and social media strategies to power their businesses in e-commerce and better engage with their customers where they are,” SBA Administrator Isabel Casillas Guzman, said in a statement Friday. She added that as access to high-speed internet increases, the SBA will be work to ensure entrepreneurs are “ready to take advantage of new opportunities to innovate and leverage technology to start, operate, grow, and be resilient.”
Beyond access to technical skills development and tools, the alliance will play a role in helping entrepreneurs expand their networks. Specifically, through the alliance, the SBA and Business Forward will bring together leaders in business, government and economic development, to help small business owners “fully harness the power of technology to fuel growth,” according to a press release announcing the alliance.
The Small Business Administration’s collaboration with Business Forward through the Small Business Digital Alliance will prioritize creating access to competitive opportunities and lowering barriers to entry for small businesses, especially those from historically underserved and disadvantaged communities across the country, according to the release.
“In today’s economy, small businesses are moving online to attract customers, open new markets, develop new products, and obtain capital — and there is a range of new digital tools and services that can help, particularly when small businesses partner with their community,” Jim Doyle, president of Business Forward, said in a statement. “By leveraging their community’s local tech incubator, VC firm, university lab, training program, and free digital tools from global businesses — small businesses are more likely to succeed.
“Collaboration is critical, and the SBDA will help small businesses and their communities work together to achieve and maintain critical mass for success.”
A list of members of the Small Business Digital Alliance will be released in the coming weeks, according to the Small Business Administration. Companies interested in supporting small businesses with trainings, insights, and free digital tools can become part of the Small Business Digital Alliance by emailing: info@smallbusinessdigitalalliance.com.
For more information about the Small Business Digital Alliance visit www.smallbusinessdigitalalliance.com. For more information about Business Forward visit www.businessforward.org. For more information about the U.S. Small Business Administration visit www.sba.gov.
