Business Consulting Services

Northwest Ohio has a broad array of publicly-funded business consulting services available to meet the needs of companies regardless of their stage of development.  Some programs are geared towards startup companies while others emphasize providing assistance to early-stage and mature companies. Depending on your company's proposed project or need there is a technical assistance provider in the region that can address your company's need. Technical assistance providers work with companies on a case-by-case basis. Companies become clients of a technical assistance provider only after they have satisfied the eligibility requirement of the respective program.

Small Business Consulting

The Toledo Small Business Development Center (SBDC) works specifically with on-going concerns. Counseling to businesses is provided by a team of seasoned Certified Business Analyst (CBA). The Toledo SBDC is located within the offices of the Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce. The Toledo SBDC works with a small number of clients. To become a client you should contact their office and schedule an appointment for a review.

Manufacturing Technology Small Business Development Centers (MTSBDCs) represent a working partnership between the U.S Small Business Administration, Ohio Department of Development, and National Institute of  Standards and Technology (NIST) Manufacturing Extension Centers. The MTSBDC program promotes business development through increased market opportunities and small business transactions, while linking technology-based businesses throughout Ohio. The University of Toledo MTSBDC provides a broad array of technical assistance and has particular expertise in assisting technology startup businesses prepare and submit applications for the Ohio Technology Investment Tax Credit, a key tool for attracting investment capital.

Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE) is a nonprofit association dedicated to entrepreneur education and the formation, growth and success of small business nationwide. SCORE is a resource partner with the US Small Business Administration (SBA).  You can contact the Northwest Ohio SCORE

Center for Innovative Food Technology (CIFT) is a developer and provider of technical innovations and solutions for the food processing, agribusiness and agricultural sectors of the economy in our region, our state, and beyond. CIFT's primary goal is to enhance the economic performance of the food processing and agricultural sectors, and create new jobs within the industry. Through demonstrations of technologies, to the evaluation of novel business approaches, companies are able to improve their competitive position through CIFT’s expertise. Since 1995, CIFT’s staff has worked with hundreds of food processors, industry equipment manufacturers and suppliers, university researchers, and governmental agencies to improve the competitive position within agribusiness. As a result, new technologies have emerged, industry best practices established, and novel business approaches have been discovered. Through an industry-driven methodology, businesses have benefited throughout Ohio and beyond.

International Business Technical Assistance Center (ITAC) is partially funded by SBA, the Ohio Department of Development's SBDC program and the University of Toledo.  This office provides free counseling to small and medium sized enterprises wishing to begin exporting or expand their overseas markets.  ITAC also supports regional trade missions, conducts training seminars, provides internet research and acts as a clearing house for their clients - connecting them with all of the export support providers in the region.

Business Incubator Programs

The Regional Growth Partnership-Launch Program is a virtual business incubation program for entrepreneurs who possess revolutionary technologies. The Launch Program accelerates technology commercialization by preparing high-tech start-up companies for funding, including sales revenue, grants, loans and investment.

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