U.S. Small Business Administration
The U.S. Small Business Administration is an independent federal agency that guarantees loans, licenses SBIC investment funds, delivers disaster assistance, and runs contracting programs serving the 36 million U.S. small businesses.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1953
- HeadquartersWashington, United States
- Headcount5,001–10,000
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What U.S. Small Business Administration does
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is an independent federal agency established in 1953 and headquartered in Washington, D.C., that administers loan guarantee, investment, contracting, and disaster assistance programs for U.S. small businesses. Its core products are the 7(a) loan program (general purpose, up to $5M per loan, recently $10M combined with 504), the 504 loan program (real estate and equipment financing via Certified Development Companies), microloans up to $50,000, the Small Business Investment Company (SBIC) program (licensed private funds leveraged with SBA-guaranteed debentures), disaster loans, surety bond guarantees, and grants including the State Trade Expansion Program (STEP) and Empower to Grow (E2G). In FY2025, SBA guaranteed a record $45 billion in capital to 85,000 small businesses, the SBIC program reached $53 billion in combined private capital and SBA leverage, and $179 billion in prime federal contracts were awarded to small businesses (28% of all federal contracts).
SBA delivers services through a hybrid model combining direct federal operations — sba.gov, 63 district offices, Recovery Centers, and the MySBA Loan Portal — with an extensive partner network of over 2,000 approved lenders, 300+ SBIC license holders, 1,000+ Small Business Development Centers, SCORE mentors, Women's Business Centers, and Veterans Business Outreach Centers. Pricing is set by program structure rather than market dynamics: SBA charges guarantee fees on lender-originated loans, collects premiums on surety bonds, and earns returns on SBIC leverage; lenders set 7(a) rates based on alternative base rates (Prime, SOFR, 5-year or 10-year Treasury). Technology infrastructure includes loan management systems, fraud detection tooling (currently via a $300,000 Palantir contract), and digital portals such as Lender Match and the Make Onshoring Great Again supplier portal. The agency serves the 36 million U.S. small businesses that comprise 99.9% of all U.S. businesses, with priority segments including small business borrowers, federal contractors (via 8(a), HUBZone, Women-Owned and Veteran contracting programs), disaster-affected businesses, small contractors needing bonding, domestic manufacturers, and under-represented groups including women-, veteran-, and minority-owned businesses.
U.S. Small Business Administration firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- U.S. Small Business Administration
- Legal name
- U.S. Small Business Administration
- Website
- https://sba.gov
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1953
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 5,001–10,000 employees
- Short description
- The U.S. Small Business Administration is an independent federal agency that guarantees loans, licenses SBIC investment funds, delivers disaster assistance, and runs contracting programs serving the 36 million U.S. small businesses.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
U.S. Small Business Administration industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Government Small Business Lending and Financial Services
- NAICS
- Public Administration (92), Mortgage and Nonmortgage Loan Brokers (52231), Commercial Banking (522110)
- SIC
- Federal & Federally-Sponsored Credit Agencies (6111), Short-Term Business Credit Institutions (6153), Miscellaneous Business Credit Institution (6159)
- akta.pro primary industry
- SBA/Government-Backed & Development Finance Loans (FSAKAGAI)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- SBA/USDA Government-Backed Loan Intermediation (FSAEAEAI), SBIC Venture Debt Funds (FSANAIAD), Results-Based Financing (RBF) & Performance-Based Grants (BPADAOAF)
Keywords
Where U.S. Small Business Administration is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Washington
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
U.S. Small Business Administration business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Loan Guarantees: SBA guarantees portions of loans made by private lenders, reducing risk for lenders and enabling small businesses to access capital they might not otherwise qualify for. The agency charges guarantee fees.
- 7(a) Loan Program: General small business loans up to $5 million with SBA guarantee, delivered through approved lenders.
- 504 Loan Program: Real estate and equipment financing through Certified Development Companies, with SBA guaranteeing debentures.
- SBIC Program: SBA licenses and provides leverage to Small Business Investment Companies that invest in small businesses, generating returns through successful portfolio companies.
- Disaster Loans: Low-interest disaster loans to homeowners, renters, and businesses of all sizes for recovery from declared disasters.
- Surety Bonds: SBA guarantees surety bonds for small contractors who cannot obtain bonding through conventional means, with fees paid by contractors.
- Grants: SBA provides grants including State Trade Expansion Program (STEP), Empower to Grow (E2G) manufacturing grants, and Growth Accelerator Competition grants.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Monthly | 7(a) Loans - General small business loans with SBA guarantee up to $5 million per loan |
| Subscription | Monthly | 504 Loan Program - Real estate and equipment financing |
| Subscription | Monthly | Microloans - Small loans up to $50,000 for startups and growing businesses |
| Subscription | Monthly | Disaster Loans - Physical damage and economic injury loans |
| Subscription | Pay-as-you-go | SBIC Investments - Debt, equity, or hybrid investments from $100,000 to $10 million |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels9 records
Marketing channels6 records
U.S. Small Business Administration product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is an independent federal agency that delivers loan guarantees, direct loan programs, surety bonds, grants, disaster assistance, and federal contracting support to small businesses. Its core offerings include the 7(a) Loan Program (up to $5 million), 504 Loans for real estate and equipment, Microloans up to $50,000, the SBIC venture capital program, low-interest Disaster Loans, and the Surety Bond Guarantee Program, delivered through approved lenders and resource partners nationwide.
Product overview
The U.S. Small Business Administration operates a comprehensive portfolio of financial and support services for small businesses. Core offerings include the 7(a) Loan Program, 504 Loans, and Microloans for various business financing needs, alongside the Small Business Investment Company (SBIC) program for venture capital access. The agency provides disaster assistance loans for businesses affected by declared disasters, the Surety Bond Guarantee Program for contractors, and specialized programs like the MARC Loans for manufacturers. The Made in America Manufacturing Initiative includes the Make Onshoring Great Again portal and the Empower to Grow grants. SBA also runs contracting assistance programs including the 8(a) Business Development Program, offers the Patriot Pitch Competition with $1 million in prizes, and hosts National Small Business Week events. Recent initiatives include the Freedom 250 Small Business Pledge celebrating America's 250th anniversary.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- 7(a) Loan Program Primary SBA loan program providing SBA-guaranteed loans up to $5 million for general small business purposes including working capital, equipment purchase, inventory, and real estate. Delivered through over 2,000 SBA-approved lenders.
- 504 Loan Program Provides long-term, fixed-rate financing for major assets such as owner-occupied commercial real estate and heavy equipment, with repayment terms up to 25 years. Loans are structured through Certified Development Companies (CDCs) with typically 50% from CDC, 40% from bank, and 10% from borrower.
- Microloan Program Small short-term loans up to $50,000 provided through SBA intermediary lenders to help small businesses start up, expand, or improve operations.
- Small Business Investment Company (SBIC) Program Licenses and regulates privately-owned investment funds that provide venture capital and debt financing to small businesses through SBA-guaranteed debentures, with typical investments of $250,000 to $10 million.
- SBA Disaster Loans Low-interest disaster loans for businesses, homeowners, renters, and nonprofits affected by federally declared disasters. Includes physical damage loans, Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL), and mitigation assistance.
- Manufacturers' Access to Revolving Credit (MARC) Loans First SBA dedicated loan offering for small manufacturers under NAICS codes 31-33, providing flexible working capital with streamlined processing through local banks.
- Empower to Grow (E2G) Program Grant initiative making up to $50 million available to up to 10 organizations providing training and technical assistance to small manufacturers in aerospace, shipbuilding, industrial machinery, and advanced manufacturing sectors.
- Make Onshoring Great Again Portal SBA's domestic supplier portal helping connect businesses with verified U.S. manufacturers, producers, and suppliers to advance the Made in America agenda.
- Surety Bond Guarantee Program
Quantifiable outcome
- Nearly 28% of prime federal contracts awarded to small businesses in FY2025 ($179 billion)
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use U.S. Small Business Administration
Customer profileNamed customers11 records
Segments8 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
U.S. Small Business Administration technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
AI capability1 record
Feature1 record
U.S. Small Business Administration partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.
- NASAcoreNASA and SBA signed a memorandum of agreement on June 29, 2026 at NASA Headquarters in Washington D.C. establishing a new interagency initiative aligned with President Trump's National Space Policy to support growth of the American space economy through small business involvement.
- National Association of ManufacturerscoreSBA and NAM co-hosted the inaugural 2026 Supplier Matchmaking Expo at Charlotte Motor Speedway designed to connect large producers with small domestic suppliers under the Made in America agenda. Over 20 major buyers including Boeing, Ford Motor Company, Lockheed Martin, Honeywell, Toyota, and Eli Lilly confirmed participation.
- PalantirmajorSBA signed a $300,000 contract with Palantir for AI-powered fraud detection assistance in nationwide probe of suspected pandemic loan fraud. Contract described as 'SBA Fraud Prevention Pilot and Bootcamp' expanding from Minnesota investigation where 6,900 borrowers were suspended for allegedly fraudulent PPP and EIDL loans totaling approximately $400 million.
- U.S. General Services AdministrationcoreSBA and GSA jointly removed 22 foreign-made flatware products falsely labeled as 'Made in America' from GSA Advantage! platform following investigation triggered by Sherrill Manufacturing at White House Small Business Summit. Action protects domestic manufacturers and ensures taxpayer dollars support American businesses.
- Pentagon Office of Strategic CapitalcoreSBA jointly approved Mare Liberum's maritime technology fund for up to $150 million in low-cost government leverage through the SBIC Critical Technologies programme. Pentagon's Office of Strategic Capital mobilized private investment into sectors where commercial and national security interests intersect.
- National Science FoundationminorSBA partnered with NSF, Department of Agriculture, and Department of Labor on AI-Ready America initiative to establish AI-ready Coordination Hubs in every US state and territory providing hands-on AI training and advisory services tailored to regional needs.
- Small Business Development CenterscoreSBA partners with over 1,000 Small Business Development Centers nationwide providing free business counseling, training, and technical assistance to small businesses.
- SCOREcoreSBA partners with SCORE association which provides free mentoring services to small business owners through a network of volunteer business experts.
- America's Small Business Development CentercoreSBA partners with the national network of Small Business Development Centers to co-host National Small Business Week Virtual Summit featuring educational workshops on manufacturing, digital marketing, HR, AI, and business planning.
Scale indicators8 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
U.S. Small Business Administration competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- USDA Rural Development: Operates federal loan guarantee and direct lending programs (Business & Industry Guaranteed Loans, Rural Business Development Grants) for rural businesses. Most direct functional peer to SBA as a federal agency channeling credit to underserved business segments.
- Export-Import Bank of the United States: Independent federal agency that provides loan guarantees, direct loans, and insurance to support U.S. exports. Shares SBA's federal credit-agency structure, guarantee-based lending model, and political-economy dynamics.
- British Business Bank: UK government-backed economic development bank that delivers loan, venture, and growth capital programs for SMEs. Closest international functional equivalent to SBA's capital-access mission.
- Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC): Canadian federal Crown corporation providing financing, venture capital, and advisory services to small and mid-sized businesses. Comparable mandate and product mix to SBA across lending, investment, and advisory.
- Bpifrance: French public investment bank supporting SME and mid-market financing, innovation, and export. Operates a comparable loan guarantee, venture capital, and innovation grant portfolio.
- CDFI Fund (U.S. Treasury Community Development Financial Institutions Fund): U.S. Treasury program providing financial awards and technical assistance to CDFIs serving low-income and underserved small business communities. Most direct U.S. peer in targeting capital-constrained small businesses via federally supported intermediaries.
Broad incumbents
- KfW: German state-owned development bank running SME, innovation, and export financing programs alongside much larger infrastructure and climate mandates. Comparable mechanism (guarantees, low-cost funding) at significantly greater scale.
Emerging players
- Accion: Global nonprofit microlender and small business finance provider. Comparable to SBA's microloan program in target customer (underserved micro/small businesses) and product structure (small short-term credit through intermediaries).
- Grameen America: U.S. nonprofit microfinance organization lending to women entrepreneurs in underserved communities. Closest operating peer to SBA's microloan program in product size and customer segment.
Others
- Opportunity Finance Network: National network of CDFIs providing loans, investments, and financial services to underserved small businesses. Acts as ecosystem coordinator similar in function to SBA's SBDC/SCORE resource partner network.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
U.S. Small Business Administration social profiles
Digital presenceU.S. Small Business Administration financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
U.S. Small Business Administration leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles8 records
U.S. Small Business Administration funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
U.S. Small Business Administration M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments145 records
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about U.S. Small Business Administration
What does U.S. Small Business Administration do?
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is an independent federal agency that delivers loan guarantees, direct loan programs, surety bonds, grants, disaster assistance, and federal contracting support to small businesses. Its core offerings include the 7(a) Loan Program (up to $5 million), 504 Loans for real estate and equipment, Microloans up to $50,000, the SBIC venture capital program, low-interest Disaster Loans, and the Surety Bond Guarantee Program, delivered through approved lenders and resource partners nationwide.
Is U.S. Small Business Administration a public or private company?
U.S. Small Business Administration is a private company. It is classified as state government owned and is currently operating.
When was U.S. Small Business Administration founded?
U.S. Small Business Administration was founded in 1953. It employs 5,001 to 10,000 people.
Where is U.S. Small Business Administration based?
U.S. Small Business Administration is headquartered in Washington, United States, in the North America region.
How does U.S. Small Business Administration make money?
Seven revenue lines are on record. Loan Guarantees are the primary driver. The others are 7(a) Loan Program, 504 Loan Program, SBIC Program, disaster Loans, surety Bonds and grants.
Who are U.S. Small Business Administration's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are USDA Rural Development, Export-Import Bank of the United States, British Business Bank, Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC), Bpifrance and CDFI Fund (U.S. Treasury Community Development Financial Institutions Fund). KfW is listed as a broad incumbent. Emerging players are Accion and Grameen America. Opportunity Finance Network is listed as an others.
Does U.S. Small Business Administration have an API?
No public API is recorded for U.S. Small Business Administration.
What industry is U.S. Small Business Administration in?
U.S. Small Business Administration's product category is Government Small Business Lending and Financial Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is FSAKAGAI, SBA/Government-Backed & Development Finance Loans, with a secondary code of FSAEAEAI, SBA/USDA Government-Backed Loan Intermediation. Its NAICS code is 92 and its SIC code is 6111.