International Council for Small Business

What International Council for Small Business does

International Council for Small Business (ICSB), founded in 1955 and headquartered within the George Washington University School of Business since 2003 in Washington, D.C., is the oldest international nonprofit membership organization dedicated to micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs). It operates a four-tier membership model — Student ($250/year), Expert ($300/year), MSME ($3,000/year), and Knowledge Hub institutional ($10,000/year) — serving more than 3,000 members across 135+ countries, and convenes entrepreneurs, researchers, policymakers, and students through the annual World Congress, SME World Forum, MSME Day Forum at the United Nations, and signature boutique events. The organization publishes the Journal of Small Business Management (JSBM, 6.2 Impact Factor, 247K annual downloads, 60-country circulation) and the Journal of the International Council for Small Business (JICSB) through Taylor & Francis, distributes the weekly ICSB Sunday Times newsletter, runs professional certificate programs in Innovation Management and Entrepreneurial Leadership, and operates a global Knowledge Hubs network providing regional representation for entrepreneurship research and MSME support.

ICSB's revenue mechanics combine recurring membership dues, journal subscriptions/royalties via Taylor & Francis, event registration and sponsorship, certificate program fees, and merchandise. The organization originated United Nations MSME Day (Resolution A/71/279, adopted April 6, 2017, co-sponsored by 54 member states representing over 5 billion people) and hosts the annual MSME Day Forum at UN Headquarters alongside co-sponsoring Permanent Missions of Barbados, Kuwait, and the Republic of Korea. Strategic partnerships span George Washington University School of Business (core, 2003), the United Nations and its agencies (UNCTAD, UNIDO, ILO, DESA, ITC, UN Office for Partnerships), OECD (Flagship, Paris Signature Event 2025), and regional government and university partners hosting the SME World Forum (Malaysia, Azerbaijan, Argentina).

ICSB is led by Dr. Ayman El Tarabishy (President & CEO since 2020, Deputy Chair of Management at GW School of Business) alongside Skye Blanks (Chief Operating Officer and Director of the Knowledge Hubs program). The organization is recognized internationally through the Mini Globe Awards (annual since at least 2020), the Presidential Award, the Power Ten global influencers list, and the ICSB Fellows distinction program. Core technology is limited to the icsb.org digital platform, member portal, and webinar/video infrastructure — there is no proprietary software product, and the organization explicitly does not maintain a mobile app or public API.

Name

International Council for Small Business

Legal name

International Council for Small Business

Website

https://icsb.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1955

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

International Council for Small Business (ICSB), founded in 1955, is the oldest international nonprofit membership organization dedicated to micro, small, and medium enterprises, serving 3,000+ members across 135+ countries through tiered memberships, two academic journals, global conferences, and advocacy including UN MSME Day.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Washington

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Membership Fees: ICSB generates revenue through tiered membership fees across four categories: KHub institutional membership ($10,000/year), MSME membership ($3,000/year), Expert membership ($300/year), and Student membership ($250/year). Members receive access to journals, conferences, webinars, and networking.
2. Conference and Event Revenue: The organization hosts large-scale events including World Congress, SME World Forum, signature events, and MSME Day forums at the UN. Revenue generated through event registration fees, sponsorship, and exhibition opportunities.
3. Academic Journals: ICSB publishes the Journal of Small Business Management (JSBM) and Journal of the International Council for Small Business (JICSB) through Taylor & Francis. Revenue includes journal subscriptions and access fees, with JSBM having 247K annual downloads and 6.2 Impact Factor.
4. Certificate Programs: ICSB offers professional certificate programs including Innovation Management Certificate and Entrepreneurial Leadership Certificate, each delivered through three sessions for professional development.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels8 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

ICSB is a nonprofit membership organization that supports micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) worldwide by selling tiered annual memberships (Student, Expert, MSME, KHub), publishing peer-reviewed academic journals (JSBM and JICSB) through Taylor & Francis, and hosting global conferences including the World Congress, SME World Forum, and the United Nations MSME Day Forum. It also delivers professional certificate programs, weekly newsletters, and awards recognitions to advance entrepreneurship and small business research.

Product overview

ICSB offers a comprehensive portfolio of programs and services centered on advancing entrepreneurship and small business development globally. The core offering includes the annual World Congress and Signature boutique events, MSME Day (UN-recognized June 27), SME World Forum, and International Women's Day as major event platforms. ICSB publishes two premier academic journals (JSBM and JICSB) and the annual Global MSMEs Report. The organization provides professional certificates in Innovation Management and Entrepreneurial Leadership, hosts educational webinars, and publishes the Top Ten Trends for MSMEs. Recognition programs include the Power Ten (global influencers), Mini Globe Awards, and Presidential Award. Additional offerings include the Humane Entrepreneurship program with HCE-Index, ICSB Fellows distinction, Knowledge Hubs network, and tiered membership programs (Student, Expert, MSME, KHub). The ICSB Sunday Times provides weekly news coverage. Together, these offerings create an integrated ecosystem supporting research, networking, education, recognition, and advocacy for MSMEs worldwide.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• ICSB World Congress Annual premier global conference that brings together entrepreneurs, policymakers, researchers, and educators to advance small business and entrepreneurship. The 2026 congress is held in Washington, D.C. (June 29–July 2) with themes around entrepreneurship, innovation, and AI.
• ICSB Signature Events Boutique, high-impact forums focused on reimagining entrepreneurship in specific global locations. Recent events in Seoul, Paris, and Sydney explored themes including human-centered innovation in the AI era.
• SME World Forum Global forum uniting SMEs, policymakers, academia, and business leaders to address issues impacting sustainable growth including ESG, energy transition, sustainability, innovation, digitalization, and AI. Rotates through host cities globally.
• MSME Day (United Nations MSMEs Day) United Nations-recognized international day (June 27) celebrating Micro, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises, co-founded by ICSB. Includes annual International Forum at the UN, annual Global MSMEs Report, and the Human-Centered Entrepreneurship Forum.
• ICSB International Women's Day Annual event celebrating women entrepreneurs and leaders, featuring panel discussions, roundtables, and recognition of women's impact on entrepreneurship.
• Journal of Small Business Management (JSBM) Official peer-reviewed journal of ICSB, published by Taylor & Francis and circulated in 60 countries. Covers family enterprises, women/minority-owned businesses, entrepreneurship education, venture capital, and small business policy; 6.2 Impact Factor (2022), 6% acceptance rate, 247K annual downloads.
• Journal of the International Council for Small Business (JICSB) Peer-reviewed journal exploring MSME policy, economic development, and MSME performance, with focus on UN Sustainable Development Goals, government policy, MSME ecosystems, finance, and humane entrepreneurship. Published by Taylor & Francis.
• ICSB Webinars Live online educational sessions featuring experts on entrepreneurship, technology ventures, robotics, and innovation. Delivered via Zoom under the ICSB brand.
• ICSB Certificate Program Professional certification offerings including the Innovation Management Certificate (three-session program equipping entrepreneurs with research-backed processes for front-end innovation) and the Entrepreneurial Leadership Certificate (three-session program on sharper decision-making and team leadership in changing markets).
• Top Ten Trends for MSMEs Annual research publication identifying the top 10 micro, small, and medium enterprise trends globally and by region, covering Europe, Latin America, Middle East, South Korea, and Women Entrepreneurship.
• Global MSMEs Report Annual comprehensive report published by ICSB covering the state of micro, small, and medium enterprises globally. The 2026 edition is the 9th edition.
• ICSB Sunday Times Weekly digital publication providing news, updates, and insights on MSMEs, entrepreneurship policy, global events, and ICSB activities.
• ICSB Membership Programs Tiered membership including Student ($250/year), Expert ($300/year), MSME ($3,000/year), and KHub ($10,000/year) levels. Benefits include dedicated webpage, journal access, event discounts, networking, and ICSB branding.

Quantifiable outcome

• ICSB originated UN MSME Day, now celebrated annually on June 27 with 54 co-sponsoring member states representing over 5 billion people
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, major, core and minor.

• Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 3 November 2025ICSB Signature Event in Paris held in collaboration with OECD, focusing on 'Removing Barriers to Entrepreneurship by Women.' The event brought together high-level policymakers, women entrepreneurs, and global experts to address challenges facing women in business.
• ICSB Malaysia NetworksmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 27 November 2024Host of SME World Forum Kuala Lumpur 2024 with support from Malaysian Government. The forum addressed issues impacting sustainable growth including ESG, Energy Transition, Sustainability, Innovation, Digitalisation & AI.
• Small and Medium Business Development Agency of the Republic of AzerbaijanmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 13 November 2023Main host and lead organizer of inaugural SME World Forum in Baku, Azerbaijan (2023).
• National University of Rafaela, National University of Rosario, Provincial Government of Santa Fe (Argentina)majorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 31 October 2022Co-hosts of SME World Forum 2022 in Rosario, Argentina, bringing together businessmen, legislators, researchers, and educators.
• United NationscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 6 April 2017ICSB co-founded UN MSMEs Day through Resolution A/71/279 adopted April 6, 2017. ICSB organizes annual MSME Day Forum at UN Headquarters, co-sponsored by Permanent Missions of Barbados, Kuwait, and Republic of Korea. Resolution was co-sponsored by 54 member states representing over 5 billion people.
• George Washington University School of BusinesscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2003ICSB International Office is headquartered within the GW School of Business since 2003, forging a deep and enduring partnership. The storied history of collaboration between GWSB and ICSB serves as a foundation for shared journey into the future.
• Permanent Mission of Argentina to the United NationscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLed the proposal and negotiations for UN MSME Day resolution alongside all UN country members. Argentina proudly led establishment processes for the name day.
• International Trade Centre (ITC)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUN and World Trade Organization joint initiative; listed as MSME Day partner supporting global MSME advocacy and development.
• United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUN body focused on trade and development; partner in MSME Day initiatives and global MSME advocacy efforts.
• United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUN DESA partners with ICSB on MSME advocacy and sustainable development initiatives aligned with 2030 Agenda.
• United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUN agency supporting industrial development; collaborates with ICSB on MSME-focused initiatives and economic development programs.
• International Labour Organization (ILO)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUN agency focused on labor rights and employment; partners with ICSB on youth entrepreneurship, employment policy, and enterprise-led growth initiatives, including programs in Egypt.
• United Nations Office for PartnershipsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUN partnership office supporting ICSB projects and initiatives related to MSME development and entrepreneurship.
• Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Worship (Argentina)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerArgentina's foreign ministry partnered with ICSB in establishing UN MSME Day, supporting the resolution authoring and UN member state negotiations.
• Taylor & FranciscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPublisher of ICSB's official journals JSBM and JICSB. Taylor & Francis distributes journals globally through Taylor & Francis Online platform.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• SCORE: U.S. nonprofit that provides mentoring, education, and resources to small businesses — directly comparable mission (advancing small business success) and nonprofit membership/affiliate-driven model, although U.S.-only and mentor-led rather than global conference-led.
• Entrepreneurs' Organization (EO): Global membership organization for entrepreneurs that runs peer-learning forums, events, and accelerators worldwide — closely mirrors ICSB's membership tier + global events model but is for-profit/dues-funded and targets founders rather than MSMEs broadly.
• Endeavor: Global nonprofit supporting high-impact entrepreneurs across emerging markets through mentorship, events, and a network model — comparable mission (advancing entrepreneurship globally), nonprofit structure, and emerging-market reach, but focused on high-impact founders rather than the broader MSME base.
• National Small Business Association (NSBA): U.S. trade association advocating for small business policy and providing member benefits — directly comparable as a membership organization serving small business, though national rather than international in scope.

Broad incumbents

• Young Presidents' Organization (YPO): Global peer network for CEOs and business leaders, with chapters, events, and learning programs — comparable global-membership + convening structure, but serves a much higher segment of executives rather than MSMEs.
• Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD): Intergovernmental policy organization whose SME and entrepreneurship work overlaps directly with ICSB's policy focus — a partner (Paris Signature Event, 2025) and a potential incumbent in MSME policy thought leadership.

Others

• Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation: U.S. philanthropic foundation focused on entrepreneurship research, education, and ecosystem building — adjacent to ICSB through shared MSME/entrepreneurship research and ecosystem work, but operates via grantmaking rather than membership.
• Babson College: Specialized higher-education institution leading global entrepreneurship education and research — adjacent through shared entrepreneurship-research community, journal ecosystem, and academic talent pipeline that flows into ICSB's expert membership.

Emerging players

• Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses: Education and support program for small business owners, often delivered through partner colleges — comparable mission (growing small businesses) but operates as a funded program rather than an independent membership organization.

Regional players

• International Trade Centre (ITC) SME Trade Academy: UN/WTO joint agency running SME training, advisory, and advocacy — overlaps with ICSB on global MSME advocacy and training, but serves developing economies specifically and is intergovernmental rather than membership-led.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/icsb
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@icsbglobal
• Facebookfacebook.com/icsb.org
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/international-council-for-small-business-icsb-

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about International Council for Small Business