Small Business Administration (SBA)

By Entrepreneur Staff

Pencil

Small Business Administration (SBA) Definition:

A federal government agency created to foster and protect the interests of small business

The SBA was created by Congress in 1953 to help American entrepreneurs start, run, and grow successful small enterprises. Today there are SBA offices in every state, the District of Columbia, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, and Guam. Among the services offered by the SBA are financial assistance in the form of loans to small businesses, state and local developers and victims of floods and other disasters; counseling services through Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs); management assistance through programs like SCORE; and low-cost publications.

See also "SCORE" and "Small Business Development Centers."

More from Government Help

SCORE

A resource partner of the U.S. SBA that offer free counseling and resources to people interested in starting or growing a small business

See full definition

Small Business Administration (SBA)

A federal government agency created to foster and protect the interests of small business

See full definition

Small Business Development Centers

University-based centers sponsored by the SBA for the delivery of joint government, academic and private sector services for the benefit of small business.

See full definition

Latest Articles

Business News

These Companies Offer the Best Work-Life Balance, According to Employees

The ranking is based on Glassdoor ratings and reviews.

Business Ideas

63 Small Business Ideas to Start in 2024

We put together a list of the best, most profitable small business ideas for entrepreneurs to pursue in 2024.