Tennessee Small Business Development Center

What Tennessee Small Business Development Center does

The Tennessee Small Business Development Center (TSBDC) is a nonprofit network of 16 regional offices hosted by universities and community colleges across Tennessee, providing no-cost, confidential one-on-one business consulting and training to small business owners and entrepreneurs. Founded in 1985 and headquartered at Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro, the network operates as an accredited member of America's SBDC and has served the state's business community for 40 years. Service delivery spans the full business lifecycle across three stages — Start (business plans, funding resources, licensing), Grow (sales/marketing strategy, hiring, market research), and Sustain (transitioning from working in the business to running it). Specialized programs include the Veterans STRIVE entrepreneurship training (in partnership with Syracuse University's IVMF), International Trade services, Manufacturing & Onshoring support, the "Fund Tennessee" capital readiness program, the "Prosper" financial literacy series with Truist, and a Cybersecurity Toolkit.

TSBDC generates no commercial revenue; all consulting and training services are provided at no cost to clients. The operating model is funded through a federal cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration, which provides 50% of program costs (CY 2026 federal share: $2,693,283), with the remaining 50% (CY 2026 non-federal share: $3,279,725; total program cost: $5,973,008) provided by the State of Tennessee, participating universities, community colleges, and regional support partners. Distribution is centered on the 16-office regional network with self-serve online registration, supplemented by lender partnerships (Truist, Apex Bank, Sweetwater Valley Bank, Tennessee Valley Credit Union, CDFIs), referral relationships with chambers of commerce and economic development agencies, and digital channels including social media, an email newsletter, and the "How to Business" podcast. The customer base is horizontal — existing SMBs, startup entrepreneurs, veterans, small manufacturers, and exporters across Tennessee — with documented outcomes including over 1,500 Memphis businesses assisted generating $27M+ in capital investment, 180+ veterans graduated producing $123M in revenue, and 861 Memphis businesses connected to $15.35M+ in COVID-19 relief.

Name

Tennessee Small Business Development Center

Legal name

Tennessee Small Business Development Center Network

Website

https://tsbdc.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1985

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

The Tennessee Small Business Development Center is a nonprofit network of 16 university-hosted regional offices providing no-cost consulting and training to Tennessee small businesses and entrepreneurs, funded via an SBA cooperative agreement and state partners, with 40 years of continuous operation.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Small Business Development Services

NAICS

Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services (54), Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services (54169)

SIC

Services-Management Consulting Services (8742), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Entrepreneurship & Small Business Workforce Programs (EDAAAOAM)

akta.pro secondary industry

Small Business & Entrepreneurship Community Education (EDAAAFAK)

Keywords

• Small business consulting
• Business training services
• Entrepreneurship support
• Economic development
• SBA cooperative programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Murfreesboro

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices15 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Federal Funding - SBA Cooperative Agreement: Primary funding from U.S. Small Business Administration through a 50% federal share ($2,693,283.00 for CY 2026) as part of a cooperative agreement. Services provided at no cost to clients.
2. State and Institutional Funding: Non-federal share funding ($3,279,725.00 for CY 2026) from participating universities, community colleges, and regional support partners. Total program cost: $5,973,008.00 for CY 2026.
3. Professional Services: No-cost confidential consulting and training services funded through federal and state partnerships. One-on-one business counseling, workshops, and seminars provided free to small business owners and entrepreneurs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The Tennessee Small Business Development Center (TSBDC) provides no-cost, confidential one-on-one business consulting and group training workshops to existing and prospective small business owners across Tennessee through a network of 16 regional offices hosted by universities and community colleges. Services span the full business lifecycle (startup, growth, sustain) and include specialized programs in veterans entrepreneurship (STRIVE/VEP), international trade, manufacturing and onshoring, capital readiness (Fund Tennessee), cybersecurity, and disaster recovery support.

Product overview

The Tennessee Small Business Development Center (TSBDC) is a network of 15 regional offices hosted by universities and community colleges across Tennessee, providing small business support through a unified service model combining consulting, training, and resource programs. The core offerings include one-on-one confidential consulting and group training workshops delivered at local centers, supported by specialized programs such as the Veterans STRIVE entrepreneurship training, International Trade services, Cybersecurity toolkit, Lender Partnership program, Manufacturing & Onshoring support, and Fund Tennessee capital readiness initiative. Downloadable resources and Spanish-language materials extend access to non-English speaking entrepreneurs, while disaster resources provide emergency business support.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Veterans Succeeding in Entrepreneurship Program (STRIVE): A no-cost entrepreneurship training program for Veterans, Reserve, and National Guard Members
• Fund Tennessee
• Prosper

Products and services

• One-on-One Business Consulting
• Training Workshops and Seminars
• Veterans Entrepreneurship Program (VEP / STRIVE)
• International Trade Program
• Fund Tennessee (Capital Readiness)
• Manufacturing & Onshoring Support
• Cybersecurity Toolkit
• Disaster Resources
• Lender Partnership Program
• Spanish-Language Business Resources
• Downloadable Business Resources
• Non-Profit Resource Referrals

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 1,500 Memphis businesses assisted generating $27M+ in capital investment
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers16 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

21 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• America's SBDC (ASBDC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTSBDC is an accredited member of America's Small Business Development Center network. ASBDC offers resources including cyber protection, COVID-19 help, Google training, and more. Part of National Association of Small Business Development Centers.
• Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerMTSU hosts the TSBDC Lead Center and State Network headquarters in Murfreesboro. President Dr. Sidney A. McPhee supports small business economic development. MTSU's TSBDC enhances economic development while growing small businesses across 16 Tennessee locations.
• Austin Peay State UniversitycoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerAPSU hosts TSBDC office in Clarksville serving Montgomery County and Fort Campbell area. President Dr. Mike Licari supports small business resources.
• Chattanooga State Community CollegecoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerHosts TSBDC Chattanooga office. President Dr. Rebecca Ashford supports small business development through training and education.
• Cleveland State Community CollegecoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerHosts TSBDC Cleveland office serving Bradley, McMinn, Meigs, Monroe, and Polk Counties. President Dr. Ray Brooks.
• Dyersburg State Community CollegecoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerHosts TSBDC Dyersburg office serving Crockett, Dyer, West Gibson, Lake, Lauderdale, and Tipton Counties. President Dr. Scott Cook.
• East Tennessee State University (ETSU)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerHosts TSBDC Johnson City office in the Innovation Lab. President Dr. Brian Noland. Also partner for Kingsport Affiliate (KOSBE).
• Jackson State Community CollegecoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerHosts TSBDC Jackson office. President Dr. Carol A. Rothstein.
• Pellissippi State Community CollegecoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerHosts The Knox SBDC in Knoxville. President Dr. L. Anthony Wise, Jr.
• Roane State Community CollegecoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerHosts TSBDC Oak Ridge office. President Dr. Chris Whaley.
• Southwest Tennessee Community CollegecoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerHosts TSBDC Memphis office. President Dr. Tracy Hall.
• Tennessee State UniversitycoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerHosts TSBDC Nashville office. President Mr. Dwayne Tucker.
• University of Tennessee at MartincoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerHosts TSBDC Martin office at the REED Center. Chancellor Dr. Yancy Freeman.
• Volunteer State Community CollegecoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerHosts TSBDC Gallatin office serving Sumner, Wilson, Macon, and Trousdale Counties. President Dr. Wendi W. Tostenson.
• University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (UTC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUTC runs the Veterans Entrepreneurship Program (VEP) for 14 years. TSBDC at Chattanooga State has been partner for more than 11 years, providing mentoring, research support, sales and marketing strategies, and connections to local SBDC offices for VEP participants.
• Syracuse University Institute for Veterans and Military Families (IVMF)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIVMF developed the STRIVE (Startup Training Resources to Inspire Veteran Entrepreneurship) program. TSBDC at Pellissippi State Community College (Knoxville) delivers the program in partnership with IVMF.
• Tennessee Manufacturers AssociationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerState manufacturing association. TSBDC refers small manufacturers to association resources and networking.
• West Tennessee Industrial AssociationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional industrial association for West Tennessee manufacturers. Resource partner for TSBDC manufacturing clients.
• Middle Tennessee Industrial Development BoardminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional economic development agency for Middle Tennessee. Resource partner for TSBDC manufacturing clients.
• East Tennessee Economic Development Agency (ETEDA)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional economic development agency for East Tennessee. Resource partner for TSBDC manufacturing clients.
• Chattanooga Regional Manufacturers AssociationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional manufacturing association serving Chattanooga area. Resource partner for TSBDC manufacturing clients in the region.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• America's SBDC (ASBDC) National Network: National accreditation body and parent network of which TSBDC is an accredited member. Operates the same SBA-funded model across all U.S. states and territories and provides shared resources (cyber, Google training, COVID help) consumed by TSBDC.
• SCORE (Service Corps of Retired Executives): National nonprofit providing free small-business mentoring, workshops, and resources funded by the SBA. Directly competes with TSBDC for the same entrepreneur and small-business-owner audience with similar no-cost consulting and training offerings.
• Florida Small Business Development Center: Another large statewide SBDC network hosted by universities with multiple regional offices and the same SBA funding structure. Comparable scale, structure, and service mix to TSBDC across a different state geography.
• Women's Business Centers (WBC) Program: SBA-funded network of centers providing business training and counseling targeted at women entrepreneurs. Shares the SBA funding model, no-cost delivery, and small-business advisory mission with TSBDC and serves an overlapping Tennessee client base.
• Procurement Technical Assistance Centers (PTAC): Federally funded network helping small businesses pursue government contracts. Provides overlapping services (government contracting assistance is one of TSBDC's listed offerings) and serves the same Tennessee small-business owner seeking federal procurement opportunities.
• Syracuse University Institute for Veterans and Military Families (IVMF): Developer of the STRIVE entrepreneurship training program delivered by TSBDC's Knoxville office. Operates veteran-focused entrepreneurship training nationally and is a direct co-delivery partner with TSBDC for veteran small-business programming.
• Ohio Small Business Development Center: State-level SBDC network operating under the same SBA cooperative-agreement model with multiple regional centers and university hosts. Closest structural peer to TSBDC at a different state, offering directly comparable services to a different geography.
• Veterans Business Outreach Centers (VBOC): SBA-funded program providing business development services to veteran entrepreneurs. Overlaps directly with TSBDC's Veterans Entrepreneurship Program and STRIVE partnerships, serving the same veteran-owned business segment in Tennessee and beyond.

Others

• Tennessee Department of Economic & Community Development: State agency offering incentives and grants for Tennessee businesses, including manufacturing programs. Referenced as a TSBDC partner and serves overlapping Tennessee clients with business-development resources, though operating as a state agency rather than an advisory network.

Regional players

• SCORE Memphis / SCORE Tennessee chapters: Regional SCORE affiliates offering free mentoring and workshops in Tennessee cities where TSBDC also operates. Directly competes for the same Tennessee small-business clients through volunteer mentors and is part of the broader SCORE network.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/tsbdc
• Facebookfacebook.com/tsbdc
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/tsbdc
• Instagraminstagram.com/tsbdcnetwork

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles18 records

Subsidiaries15 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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 Tennessee Small Business Development Center