PACE Business Development Center

What PACE Business Development Center does

PACE Business Development Center is a Los Angeles-based non-profit organization, founded in 1975, that delivers a multi-program suite of small business development services to entrepreneurs and business owners across Los Angeles County and, since 2021, more broadly across Southern California. Its core programs are the BusinessSource Center (BSC), the Women's Business Center (WBC), ProcureLA (procurement assistance), and a finance function administering multiple loan products — including SBA Microloans, the SBA SBLC 7(a) loan ($50,000–$350,000, 7.5–9% fixed), the PACE Contract Finance Assistance Program (up to $350,000), Regular Business Loans, Revolving Lines of Credit, and the SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) — alongside the PACE Small Business Grant, fee-free or low-cost workshops, and one-on-one confidential consulting.

PACE operates as a community-centered intermediary rather than a technology platform. Distribution is anchored in its 1055 Wilshire Boulevard headquarters, multi-location workshops, ethnic media coverage (Korea Daily, Korea Times, World Journal), and direct referrals from government partners. Its technology footprint is limited to standard web properties, a Constant Contact newsletter, Eventbrite registration, and social channels — there is no proprietary product platform, no API surface, no mobile application, and no disclosed AI/ML capability.

PACE's business model is hybrid grant-and-fee. Primary inflows are federal, county, and philanthropic grants — including a $2.5 million MBDA Business Center designation (2021–2026), a $2,400,507 Community Development Financial Institutions Fund award (2023), and a $1,000,000 Citi Foundation Community Progress Makers grant (2024) — plus interest income on its SBA and contract-financing loan portfolio. Workshops and consulting are priced at free or low cost. The organization is privately held as a non-profit, employs 11–50 staff, and carries no parent company or equity ownership; ownership and control reside with its community-based governance.

Name

PACE Business Development Center

Legal name

PACE Business Development Center

Website

https://pacelabdc.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1975

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

PACE Business Development Center is a Los Angeles-based non-profit, founded in 1975, delivering small business loans, consulting, workshops, grants, and government contracting assistance to LA County entrepreneurs — including targeted programs for women-owned and minority-owned businesses.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Small Business Development Services

NAICS

Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services (541), Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services (541611)

SIC

Miscellaneous Business Credit Institution (6159), Short-Term Business Credit Institutions (6153)

akta.pro primary industry

SBA/Government-Backed & Development Finance Loans (FSAKAGAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Entrepreneurship & Small Business Workforce Programs (EDAAAOAM), Small Business & Entrepreneurship Community Education (EDAAAFAK)

Keywords

• Small business lending
• Business consulting services
• Government contracting assistance
• Women entrepreneurship programs
• SBA loan programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Los Angeles

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Loan Programs: PACE provides various loan programs including SBA Microloans, SBA 7(a) loans, Revolving Line of Credit, Regular Business Loans, and Contract Finance Assistance. Revenue is generated through interest on loans provided to small businesses.
2. Grant Programs: PACE distributes grant funding received from government agencies (LA County, SBA) and foundations (Citi Foundation) to qualifying small businesses.
3. Workshops and Training: Free or low-cost workshops and seminars on small business topics provided at various locations in Los Angeles.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

PACE Business Development Center is a non-profit that provides affordable loan products (SBA 7(a), SBA Microloans, Contract Finance Assistance, Revolving Line of Credit, Regular Business Loans, and SBA EIDL disaster loans), no-cost one-on-one business consulting, free/low-cost training workshops, government contracting assistance (ProcureLA), and grant administration to small business owners across Los Angeles County. It operates three branded service centers—BusinessSource Center (BSC), Women's Business Center (WBC), and the Los Angeles MBDA Business Center—targeting women, minority, and other underserved entrepreneurs.

Product overview

PACE Business Development Center is a non-profit organization offering a comprehensive suite of small business support services through distinct programs. The core offerings include the BusinessSource Center (BSC) providing business development and financing assistance, the Women's Business Center (WBC) offering women-focused entrepreneurship programs, and ProcureLA for government contracting support. Financial products encompass various loan programs including SBA SBLC 7(a) loans ($50,000-$350,000), the PACE Contract Finance Assistance Program (up to $350,000), and SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans. The organization also manages a Small Business Grant Program and provides free/low-cost training workshops on topics including finance, marketing, and business planning. All services are focused on serving Los Angeles County businesses and entrepreneurs.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• BusinessSource Center (BSC)

Quantifiable outcome

• 800+ small businesses assisted during COVID-19 pandemic
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• LA County Department of Economic OpportunitycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 June 2024Partner in the 2024 PACE Small Business Grant Awards Ceremony, providing grants to small businesses with practical assistance to foster growth in LA County's District 1.
• SBA Los Angeles District OfficecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 April 2024Partner in small business grant programs and procurement initiatives, including participation in the 2024 MBE Connect Summit.
• U.S. Department of EnergyminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 April 2024Partner in hosting the 2024 MBE Connect Summit at SoCal Gas, connecting small businesses with public and private contract opportunities.
• Los Angeles MBDA Business CentercoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 June 2023PACE operates the Los Angeles MBDA Business Center, receiving $2.5 million over 5 years to serve minority small businesses in Southern California since September 2021.
• GO-Biz (Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 June 2023Partner in the 4th Annual Supplier Diversity Conference, supporting minority business development in California.
• VerizonminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartner for Small Business Digital Ready program offering digital training resources to women-owned businesses.
• LA County Supervisor Hilda SoliscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvided grants and recognition to small businesses in District 1, including grants at the 2024 PACE Small Business Grant Awards Ceremony.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• CDC Small Business Finance: California's largest CDFI providing SBA 504 and 7(a) loans, conventional financing, and small business development services — directly comparable to PACE's SBA lending and business support mission in the same California market.
• LiftFund: Texas-headquartered CDFI providing SBA microloans, small business loans, and entrepreneurship training to underserved communities — comparable lending products, target segments (women and minority owners), and community-based service model.
• Accion Opportunity Fund: National CDFI providing small business loans, coaching, and education to underserved small business owners — directly comparable SBA-linked micro and small business lending products to PACE's loan portfolio.
• Main Street Launch: Bay Area CDFI delivering small business loans, advisory services, and accelerator programs to underserved entrepreneurs — closely comparable CDFI lending-plus-consulting model to PACE.
• Working Solutions: San Francisco-based CDFI offering microloans, small business coaching, and entrepreneurship training to low-income and minority entrepreneurs — directly comparable microlending-plus-consulting model to PACE in California.
• Inclusive Action for the City: Los Angeles-based CDFI offering microloans, small business coaching, and accelerator programs to underserved entrepreneurs — overlapping directly with PACE's microloan, consulting, and minority/women-focused programming in LA County.
• Vermont Slauson Economic Development Corporation: South LA-based community development organization providing small business loans, technical assistance, and incubator services to minority entrepreneurs — closely comparable in geography, target demographic, and service mix to PACE.
• Grameen America: National microfinance nonprofit providing small business loans, financial education, and peer-group support to low-income women entrepreneurs — overlapping with PACE's WBC women-focused lending and training programs.
• Pacific Community Ventures: California-based nonprofit that provides small business capital, advising, and connections to growth-oriented small businesses — comparable consulting and capital access mission to PACE, with similar California footprint.

Broad incumbents

• U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Los Angeles District Office: Federal agency partner that administers the SBA loan programs (including 7(a) and microloan) that PACE distributes — a comparable institutional actor in the same small business lending ecosystem, though as a regulator/program administrator rather than direct lender.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCZ7Jg6vJkRk5Xwt7XZJl-0Q
• Facebookfacebook.com/PACEBusinessDev
• Xx.com/pacelabusiness

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about PACE Business Development Center