Kentucky Small Business Development Center

What Kentucky Small Business Development Center does

Kentucky Small Business Development Center (Kentucky SBDC) is a private nonprofit organization established in 1981 that provides no-cost, confidential business assistance to entrepreneurs and small businesses across the Commonwealth of Kentucky. Co-sponsored by the U.S. Small Business Administration and administered by the University of Kentucky's Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food, and Environment, the network operates 13 regional offices hosted at universities and community colleges spanning urban, rural, and Appalachian regions, serving approximately 2,000 clients annually. Its core service offering is a unified suite of one-on-one business coaching, business planning, access to capital (loan packaging), marketing assistance, market research, and business training, supplemented by specialized add-ons including export coaching, disaster recovery assistance, cybersecurity resources, and the Plate to Profit restaurant management program.

The organization is funded almost entirely through a cooperative agreement with the SBA, structured as a 50/50 federal/non-federal cost share totaling $3,512,016 in program costs, plus supplemental awards (e.g., a $300,000 SBA award in April 2024). All client services are delivered at no charge, eliminating traditional pricing mechanics. Kentucky SBDC operates as a community-led and event-driven go-to-market motion, combining in-person coaching across its statewide office network with training workshops, webinars, community events, and an active presence across Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn, and Instagram. It is ASBDC Accredited, holds national recognitions including the 2022 National Small Business Week Resource Partner Award, and has been led by State Director Kristina Joyce since October 2018.

Name

Kentucky Small Business Development Center

Legal name

Kentucky Small Business Development Center

Website

https://kentuckysbdc.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1981

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Kentucky SBDC is a nonprofit business assistance organization providing no-cost, confidential coaching, training, market research, and loan packaging to Kentucky's entrepreneurs and small businesses through a statewide network of 13 offices, co-sponsored by the SBA and administered by the University of Kentucky.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Small Business Development Consulting

NAICS

Professional and Management Development Training (611430), Educational Support Services (611710), Other Business Support Services (56149)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Management Services (8741), Services-Miscellaneous Business Services (7380)

akta.pro primary industry

Small Business & Entrepreneurship Community Education (EDAAAFAK)

akta.pro secondary industry

SBA/USDA Government-Backed Loan Intermediation (FSAEAEAI)

Keywords

• Small business consulting
• Business coaching services
• Loan packaging assistance
• Market research services
• Entrepreneurship training

Headquarters

HQ city

Lexington

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices13 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Federal and Non-Federal Funding: Kentucky SBDC is funded through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration (50% federal share - $1,756,008) and matching non-federal support (50% - $1,756,008), totaling $3,512,016 in program costs. Services to clients are provided at no cost.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Kentucky SBDC delivers no-cost, confidential business development assistance to Kentucky entrepreneurs and small business owners through a network of 13 offices statewide. Services include one-on-one business coaching, business plan development, SBA loan packaging and access-to-capital support, marketing and market research assistance, business training workshops, export coaching, disaster recovery support, and cybersecurity resources, all offered at no charge to clients.

Product overview

Kentucky Small Business Development Center provides a comprehensive suite of no-cost, confidential business assistance services delivered through a network of 13 offices across the Commonwealth. The core offerings include one-on-one business coaching, business planning, access to capital, marketing assistance, market research, and business training services. These services are organized as a unified program rather than separate products, with specialized add-ons including export coaching, disaster recovery assistance, cybersecurity resources, and the Plate to Profit restaurant management program. The center operates as a partnership between the U.S. Small Business Administration and the University of Kentucky's Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food, and Environment.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Business Coaching No-cost, confidential one-on-one business coaching services delivered by experienced business advisors to help small businesses start, grow, and succeed. Available across Kentucky through 13 regional offices to entrepreneurs and small business owners.
• Business Planning Assistance with developing comprehensive business plans, including market analysis, financial projections, and operational planning, to help entrepreneurs structure their ventures for success. Targeted at prospective and existing small business owners in Kentucky.
• Access to Capital Loan packaging assistance and connections to financing resources, including SBA loans and local lending partners, to help Kentucky small businesses secure funding. Includes financial analysis and packaging of SBA disaster loan applications.
• Marketing Assistance Support services for developing marketing strategies, social media presence, and customer engagement techniques tailored to small business needs. Available to Kentucky small business owners through regional offices.
• Market Research Research services providing insights into market conditions, customer demographics, competitive analysis, and industry trends to inform business decisions for Kentucky small businesses.
• Business Training Services Training workshops and educational programs covering financial management, human resources, operations, specialized industry guidance, marketing, sales optimization, organizational management, ChatGPT usage for small businesses, and other topics. Delivered via in-person workshops at regional centers and through webinars in the webinar archive.
• Export Coaching Services Tailored export assistance including export readiness assessment, international market research, trade financing guidance, eCommerce internationalization, and logistics documentation education for new-to-export or experienced export businesses in Kentucky.
• Disaster Recovery Assistance Emergency business assistance including help with SBA disaster loan applications, recovery planning, 13-week cash flow projections, and connections to relief resources such as the Foundation for Appalachian Kentucky grants for businesses affected by natural disasters.
• Cybersecurity Resources Educational resources and guidance on cybersecurity best practices, tools, and strategies to help Kentucky small businesses protect their digital assets, featured during Cybersecurity Awareness Month.
• Plate to Profit Program A 6-session, 3-month specialized course for restaurant owners covering operations, finances, HR processes, and marketing strategies, combining 1:1 consulting and group sessions. Designed specifically for Kentucky small business restaurant owners.

Quantifiable outcome

• 2,000 clients served annually
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered minor, major and core.

• Owensboro Community & Technical CollegeminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 20 March 2026Host venue for community AI seminar 'From Chat to Change: Leading in the Age of Artificial Intelligence' along with other regional organizations serving the Greater Owensboro area.
• Center of Kentucky Entrepreneurship (CREATE Elizabethtown)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 14 November 2022Collaborative ecosystem in Elizabethtown at 1201 North Dixie Highway providing one-stop small business services. Kentucky SBDC joined alongside Procurement Technical Assistance Center, Science and Technology Corporation, Veterans Business Alliance, and Central Region Ecosystem for Arts, Technology and Entrepreneurship.
• Procurement Technical Assistance CenterminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 14 November 2022Partner organization in the Center of Kentucky Entrepreneurship Building in Elizabethtown providing procurement assistance services.
• Veterans Business AllianceminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 14 November 2022Partner organization in the Center of Kentucky Entrepreneurship Building in Elizabethtown serving veteran entrepreneurs.
• Foundation for Appalachian KentuckymajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 August 2022Partner providing disaster relief grants to Appalachian Kentucky businesses impacted by flooding. Grants of up to $10,000 for businesses/nonprofits and up to $250 for individuals/families.
• U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrimary federal partner through cooperative agreement. SBA provides 50% of program funding ($1,756,008) and co-sponsors the Kentucky SBDC network statewide.
• University of Kentucky - Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food, and EnvironmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAdministrative host of the Kentucky SBDC network. Provides institutional infrastructure, academic partnerships, and 50% non-federal matching funds ($1,756,008). Land-grant institution reaching across the Commonwealth.
• Regional Universities and Community CollegesmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership network of higher education institutions throughout Kentucky that host SBDC regional offices and provide services in coordination with the state network.
• Economic Development OrganizationsmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with economic development agencies to provide comprehensive small business support services across Kentucky communities.
• Southeast Kentucky Economic Development Corporation (SKED)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSKED serves a 45-county area in Eastern Kentucky and partners with SBDC to provide lending opportunities and technical assistance to small and large businesses, including emergency business loans during disasters.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Veterans Business Outreach Center (VBOC): SBA-funded network providing business training, counseling, and resource referrals to veteran entrepreneurs. Direct peer in SBA cooperative agreement model and free advisory delivery.
• Women's Business Centers (WBC) Program: SBA-affiliated network of centers providing business training and counseling to women entrepreneurs. Direct peer in SBA-funding mechanism and free-coaching delivery model, with overlapping but more focused target segment.
• SCORE: National nonprofit providing free, confidential business mentoring, training, and resources to entrepreneurs, funded in part by SBA. Direct peer to Kentucky SBDC in mission, funding source, and free-service delivery model.
• Ohio Small Business Development Center: State SBDC affiliate operating under the same SBA cooperative agreement structure, providing one-on-one coaching and training. Direct peer in service model, scale, and federal funding mechanism.
• Indiana Small Business Development Center: Regional SBDC affiliate with similar statewide network of offices and SBA cooperative agreement funding structure. Comparable delivery model and target SMB segment.
• West Virginia Small Business Development Center: State SBDC affiliate in adjacent Appalachian region. Comparable in mission, delivery model, and rural/SBA-funded operating context; also relevant because Kentucky SBDC's current State Director previously led WV SBDC.

Broad incumbents

• America's SBDC: National accreditation and oversight body for the SBDC network of which Kentucky SBDC is an affiliate. Directly comparable as it operates the same network model at the federal level.
• U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA): Federal partner and primary funder of Kentucky SBDC. Operates the broader loan guarantee and contracting programs that Kentucky SBDC helps clients access.

Regional players

• Foundation for Appalachian Kentucky: Regional philanthropic partner of Kentucky SBDC for disaster relief grantmaking in Eastern Kentucky. Comparable in Appalachian small business support mission and a documented disaster recovery partner.

Emerging players

• Center for Rural Entrepreneurship: National nonprofit focused on rural entrepreneurship development and capital access. Comparable in rural-focused small business development mandate and partially overlapping with Kentucky SBDC's Appalachian service segment.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/kysbdc
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/kysmallbiz
• Facebookfacebook.com/ksbdc
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/kentucky-small-business-development-center
• Instagraminstagram.com/ksbdc

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

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 Kentucky Small Business Development Center