HBBA

What HBBA does

HBBA (Helping Businesses Build Assets), operating as HBBA Connects, is a Wisconsin-based not-for-profit business networking association founded in 1998 as a focus group sponsored by the Green Bay Area Chamber of Commerce. The organization operates a chapter-based community networking model with 12+ chapters across Wisconsin and 122 active members, providing face-to-face networking, business referrals, educational resources, and community-service engagement for Wisconsin-based small and mid-sized businesses. Each chapter enforces a one-representative-per-profession exclusivity rule to create non-competitive referral environments, supported by an 8-person elected Executive Board with two-year terms.

HBBA generates revenue through annual membership fees that vary by chapter, with some chapters charging additional amounts to fund chapter-specific activities; specific price points are not publicly disclosed. The go-to-market is community-led and primarily organic: prospective members can attend chapter meetings as guests before committing, and members are acquired through a referral/member-driven motion, in-person chapter meetings (1-2x monthly), organization-wide events such as the HBBA Tee-Off and Trek, and digital channels including the website, Facebook, and Instagram. Marketing channels are non-paid and concentrated at the top of the funnel around content and organic social.

The organization offers no proprietary technology platform, software product, or AI/ML capability; the "product" is the chapter-based networking experience itself. Leadership consists of practicing professionals serving in volunteer board capacities (President Joshua Bushmaker, Vice President Ryan Phillips, Treasurer Mark Konkel, plus chapter development, events, and general member roles). The organization is independent, with no parent company, no external funding, and operates from a Stevens Point mailing address with operational presence concentrated in the Green Bay / Fox Valley / Wausau corridor of Wisconsin.

Name

HBBA

Legal name

HBBA Connects

Website

https://hbbaconnects.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1998

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

HBBA (Helping Businesses Build Assets) is a Wisconsin-based not-for-profit business networking association operating 12+ chapters with 122 active members, providing face-to-face networking, referrals, and education to Wisconsin small and mid-sized businesses through annual membership dues.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

De Pere

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

Revenue model

1. Annual Membership Fees: HBBA generates revenue through annual membership fees. The organization is not-for-profit, and membership fees vary by chapter. Some chapters may charge additional amounts to fund chapter-specific activities. Specific fee amounts are not publicly disclosed on the website.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

HBBA (Helping Businesses Build Assets), operating as HBBA Connects, is a Wisconsin-based not-for-profit business networking organization founded in 1998. It operates a chapter-based model with multiple local chapters across the state, providing business owners with structured referral networking, professional development workshops, and community events to grow their business through trusted local relationships.

Product overview

HBBA (Helping Businesses Build Assets) is a Wisconsin-based not-for-profit business networking organization, not a technology product company. It does not offer software products, platforms, or SaaS services. Instead, HBBA provides face-to-face business networking, referral networking, and business development opportunities through a network of local chapters. Members gain access to chapter meetings, a member directory, business referrals, educational resources, and community events. The organization operates as a membership-based networking group with 12+ chapters across Wisconsin, connecting business professionals for mutual business growth.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• HBBA Annual Membership Annual membership granting Wisconsin business owners access to local chapter meetings, referral networking programs, and community events for trusted business-to-business referrals.
• Chapter Networking Meetings Regularly scheduled local chapter meetings where members network, exchange referrals, and present their businesses to peers within defined Wisconsin geographies.
• Educational Workshops Educational and professional development workshops designed to help member business owners improve business skills, marketing, and operational practices.
• Community Events Community-oriented events that connect HBBA members with the broader Wisconsin business community for visibility, partnerships, and local engagement.

Named customers1 record

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights3 records

Direct peers

• LeTip International: LeTip is a US membership-based business networking organization built around weekly in-person chapter meetings and one-category-per-chapter exclusivity. Closely mirrors HBBA's structural model and SMB target member profile.
• Vistage Worldwide: Vistage runs paid peer advisory groups for SMB CEOs and executives, combining facilitated meetings with 1:1 coaching. Comparable to HBBA as a paid business networking/membership model serving SMB owners, but at higher price points and with professional facilitation.
• Alignable: Alignable is a digital SMB networking platform explicitly positioned as an online small business referral network. Comparable to HBBA in targeting SMBs seeking referrals and local connections, but competes as a digital substitute rather than an in-person peer.
• BNI (Business Network International): BNI is the global leader in referral-based business networking organizations using a chapter model and one-profession-per-chapter exclusivity. Directly comparable to HBBA in core mechanics (in-person chapters, exclusive categories, referral culture), but operating at global scale.
• 1 Million Cups: 1 Million Cups is a Kauffman Foundation-sponsored free, monthly entrepreneur networking and education program run through local community chapters. Comparable to HBBA as a chapter-based, community-led entrepreneur support organization, but with an educational/presenter format rather than referral exclusivity.

Emerging players

• Tiger 21: Tiger 21 is a membership-based peer organization for high-net-worth investors running facilitated group meetings. Comparable in paid-membership peer-grouping mechanics, but targets ultra-HNW investors rather than SMB owners.
• Entrepreneurs' Organization (EO): EO is a global peer network of founders running chapter-based learning and networking events. Comparable to HBBA as a paid chapter-based membership community for entrepreneurs, but with a forum/learning format and a global footprint.

Others

• SCORE: SCORE is a US SBA-resourced nonprofit providing free business mentoring, workshops, and networking to SMB founders. Comparable to HBBA in mission (helping SMBs grow) and nonprofit structure, but focused on mentorship/education rather than referral exclusivity.
• Green Bay Area Chamber of Commerce: The Green Bay Area Chamber of Commerce is HBBA's originating sponsor and a broader regional business membership organization. Relevant ecosystem peer offering SMB networking and advocacy services, but serving a wider geographic remit and a broader set of member benefits.
• Meetup: Meetup is a platform for organizing in-person local groups, frequently used by SMB professionals for networking and referrals. Relevant ecosystem peer enabling local business meetups, but operating as a neutral platform rather than a curated networking community.

Market position

Competitive moat3 records

Key highlights5 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/hbbaconnects
• Instagraminstagram.com/hbbaconnects
• Xx.com/hbbaconnects

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

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 HBBA