West Virginia Small Business Development Center (wv Sbdc)

What West Virginia Small Business Development Center (wv Sbdc) does

The West Virginia Small Business Development Center (WV SBDC) is a government-funded nonprofit established in 1983 that provides no-cost, confidential business coaching, training, and resources to small businesses across all 55 West Virginia counties. It operates as a division of the West Virginia Division of Economic Development and is accredited by America's SBDC under a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration, which provides 50% of annual program funding with the remaining 50% matched by non-federal sources. The organization delivers services through a network of 14 centers staffed by 17 certified business coaches, supported by an administrative team including State Director Will Miller, Deputy Director Mark Burdette, and regional coordinators.

WV SBDC's core product is one-on-one business coaching covering planning, funding access, marketing, management, HR, succession planning, cybersecurity, financial analysis, international trade, government contracting, disaster recovery, and technology commercialization. The Innovation-Technology (In-Tech) program supports technology commercialization and SBIR/STTR applications, while the Small Business Big Threat (SBBT) program delivers cybersecurity assessments. Specialized initiatives include Childcare West Virginia (funded by a $1.98M ARC POWER grant), Manufacturing Services, the Verizon Small Business Digital Ready platform, and weekly Startup Support Sessions with WVU LaunchLab. Digital infrastructure includes WV BusinessLink, a portal aggregating 160+ regional resources, plus the eCenter Direct client signup platform.

The revenue model is grant-funded: the SBA cooperative agreement totals $1,555,554 annually (split 50/50 federal-state), supplemented by competitive grants such as the ARC POWER award and nominal training workshop fees. All business coaching services are provided free of charge to clients. Marketing channels span the wvsbdc.com website, the Small Biz Buzz newsletter, regional press, partner referrals, and the WVU LaunchLab partnership. The 2025 impact report cites 1,498 clients served, 8,255 coaching hours, 101 new business starts, 360 jobs created, and $30.4 million in new capital accessed.

Name

West Virginia Small Business Development Center (wv Sbdc)

Legal name

West Virginia Small Business Development Center

Website

https://wvsbdc.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1983

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The West Virginia Small Business Development Center (WV SBDC) is a 1983-founded government nonprofit providing no-cost, one-on-one business coaching and training to small businesses across all 55 West Virginia counties via 14 centers and 17 certified coaches, funded through an SBA cooperative agreement.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Small Business Development Services

NAICS

Professional and Management Development Training (611430), Professional and Management Development Training (61143), All Other Business Support Services (561499)

SIC

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

akta.pro primary industry

Small Business & Entrepreneurship Community Education (EDAAAFAK)

Keywords

• Small business coaching
• Business development services
• Entrepreneurship training
• Technology commercialization
• Cybersecurity awareness training

Headquarters

HQ city

Charleston

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices7 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): WV SBDC is supported through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). Federal share covers 50% ($777,777) of program costs. Total program cost is $1,555,554.
2. Non-Federal Matching Funds: 50% non-federal share ($777,777) provided through state funding, host institutions, and in-kind contributions.
3. Training Fees: Services of WV SBDC are provided at no cost. Nominal fees are often charged for training workshops.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

WV SBDC delivers no-cost, confidential one-on-one business coaching, training workshops, and specialized advisory services to small businesses and entrepreneurs across West Virginia. It operates 14 centers across all 55 counties with 17 professional business coaches, complemented by the WV BusinessLink digital platform linking clients to 160+ regional resources, plus dedicated programs in cybersecurity, technology commercialization, manufacturing, international trade, and childcare business development.

Product overview

The WV SBDC operates as a statewide network providing a unified platform of business development services rather than a single software product. The core offerings center on no-cost one-on-one Business Coaching Services supported by a network of experienced business coaches, complemented by the WV BusinessLink digital resource portal connecting entrepreneurs to 160+ regional partners. Additional services include Training Events (workshops like Business Fundamentals), the Innovation-Technology (In-Tech) Program for technology commercialization, Small Business Big Threat (SBBT) cybersecurity program, International Trade Services, and specialized programs like Childcare Business Assistance and the Tri-Share Pilot. Services span marketing, funding, business planning, management, HR, financial analysis, succession planning, government contracting, and disaster recovery. The organization also partners to deliver external platforms like Verizon Small Business Digital Ready and manages the Entrepreneurship and Innovation Investment Fund for SBIR/STTR support.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• WV BusinessLink: A one-stop online platform providing access to a network of over 160+ regional and statewide resources tailored for entrepreneurs, startups, emerging companies, and established businesses.
• Small Business Big Threat (SBBT)
• Innovation-Technology (In-Tech) Program

Products and services

• Business Coaching Services No-cost, confidential one-on-one technical assistance provided by experienced business coaches to help start and grow businesses in West Virginia. Coaches partner with clients across areas including business planning, funding, marketing, management, HR, succession, cybersecurity, and financial analysis.
• WV BusinessLink One-stop online platform providing access to a network of over 160 regional and statewide resources tailored for entrepreneurs, startups, emerging companies, and established businesses.
• Business Fundamentals Workshop Workshop designed for people thinking of starting a business or who have had a business for one year or less; covers developing a business plan, applying for a loan, and essential entrepreneur information. Includes the 124-page book 'Going Into Business in West Virginia'. Available in-person and online.
• Innovation-Technology (In-Tech) Program No-cost, one-on-one mentoring program for inventors, innovators, and technology-based entrepreneurs. Assists with commercialization including market analysis, intellectual property, prototyping, and feasibility, and includes SBIR/STTR application assistance plus management of the Entrepreneurship and Innovation Investment Fund.
• Small Business Big Threat (SBBT) Program Cybersecurity awareness program developed by SBDC partners to raise awareness of cybersecurity issues that could negatively impact small businesses; includes threat assessments and cyber action plan development.
• International Trade Services Assistance with export readiness, trade opportunities, export financing, and connecting to state and federal partners for international trade expansion, including Trade Passport program access.
• Training Events Variety of training classes offered monthly covering topics from Business Fundamentals to Marketing and specialized topics; available online and in-person, tailored to the needs of entrepreneurs and business owners.
• Verizon Small Business Digital Ready Online training curriculum partnered with Verizon, Next Street, and LISC that equips small businesses with digital tools across courses in financial health, workplace culture, digital marketing, legal/security, and business strategy, with associated grant opportunities.
• Childcare Business Assistance Program Program to establish new profitable childcare businesses and help existing childcare providers operate more efficiently; part of the Childcare West Virginia initiative.
• Tri-Share Pilot Program Pilot program where childcare costs are shared between the employee (parent), the employer, and the state; managed by Wonderschool and WV SBDC.
• Manufacturing Services Dedicated support for manufacturers throughout West Virginia for growth, innovation, and competitiveness, including connections to state and federal resources.
• Weekly Startup Support Sessions Weekly in-person and online sessions delivered in partnership with WVU LaunchLab providing coaching, digital resources, and open discussions to support aspiring entrepreneurs across West Virginia.

Quantifiable outcome

• 1,498 clients served annually with 8,255 hours of coaching
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability2 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Amazon Web Services (AWS)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 27 April 2026WV SBDC partnered with AWS for the AI Pitch Competition during Bridging Innovation Week 2026. AWS provided up to $50,000 in professional services awards to winning small businesses. Awards can be allocated toward technical resources, architectural support, and solution development delivered by PREDICTif/nClouds in collaboration with AWS.
• PREDICTif Solutions/nCloudscoreTechnology or Integration · 27 April 2026Partnered with WV SBDC and AWS for the AI Pitch Competition. Provides technical resources, architectural support, and solution development for award recipients.
• TechConnect West VirginiacoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 27 April 2026Partnered with WV SBDC, AWS, and nClouds for the AI Pitch Competition as part of Bridging Innovation Week 2026.
• VerizoncoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 24 February 2026WV SBDC partnered with Verizon to bring the Small Business Digital Ready online training platform to entrepreneurs across West Virginia. In partnership with Next Street and LISC, the curriculum equips small businesses with tools for the digital economy. Verizon also awards $5,000 grants to 25 small businesses in West Virginia through LISC.
• Next StreetcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 24 February 2026Partner with WV SBDC and Verizon for the Small Business Digital Ready online training platform.
• West Virginia University (WVU) LaunchLabcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 29 January 2026WVU LaunchLab partnered with WV SBDC to launch weekly Startup Support Sessions beginning February 10, 2026. Sessions include coaching, digital resources, and open discussions both in-person and online to support entrepreneurship across West Virginia.
• International Economic Development Council (IEDC)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 22 December 2025Mark Burdette, WV SBDC Deputy Director, appointed to IEDC Board of Directors for a two-year term starting January 1, 2026. IEDC is the world's largest association for economic developers with over 5,000 members globally.
• WonderschoolcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 30 January 2025Private childcare development firm partnering with WV SBDC for the 'Childcare West Virginia: Building the Business that Supports Business' initiative. Provides technology and coaching to help launch new childcare businesses and improve existing ones. Also managing the Tri-Share pilot program.
• West Virginia Workforce Resiliency OfficecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 30 January 2025Partner with WV SBDC for the 'Childcare West Virginia: Building the Business that Supports Business' initiative, funded by Appalachian Regional Commission's POWER Initiative.
• West Virginia Division of Economic DevelopmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWV SBDC is a division of the West Virginia Division of Economic Development. Serves as host organization providing state funding match (50%) and administrative support.
• America's SBDCcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational accrediting body for Small Business Development Centers. WV SBDC follows Baldridge Principles of performance excellence in achieving accreditation as required by Congressional mandate. Provides AI U and other certification programs.
• Small Business Administration WV District OfficecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerWV SBDC partners with SBA WV District Office for National SBDC Day webinars, Small Business Week awards, and collaborative support for entrepreneurs at every stage of business.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Virginia Small Business Development Centers: Virginia SBDC is a state-wide network providing SBA-funded no-cost business advising, training, and resource referrals to Virginia entrepreneurs, with a comparable center-based delivery model to WV SBDC.
• Women's Business Centers (WBC) Program: WBCs are SBA-funded resource partners offering business training, counseling, and mentoring targeted at women entrepreneurs — overlapping service lines with WV SBDC but with a defined audience and similar no-cost delivery.
• Pennsylvania Small Business Development Centers: Pennsylvania SBDC is a state-wide peer running the same SBA-funded business advising and training model across Pennsylvania's 14 university-hosted centers, directly comparable in scope and delivery to WV SBDC's 14-center network.
• Ohio Small Business Development Center: Ohio SBDC is a neighboring state SBDC operating under the same federal cooperative-agreement framework as WV SBDC, providing free business coaching and training to Ohio-based small businesses with a comparable funding structure.
• Maryland Small Business Development Center: Maryland SBDC is an SBA-funded state network offering confidential one-on-one business coaching, training workshops, and resource access — a regional peer with similar mission, federal funding mechanics, and service catalog.
• SCORE: SCORE is the largest SBA-funded nonprofit business mentoring and education network in the U.S., providing free one-on-one mentoring, workshops, and online resources to small businesses — the same core model as WV SBDC, just at national scale rather than state-confined.
• America's SBDC: America's SBDC is the national accrediting body and association for the SBDC network of which WV SBDC is a member. It shares the same SBA-cooperative-agreement funding model and provides the AI U and cybersecurity certifications that WV SBDC's coaches complete.

Emerging players

• Small Business Majority: Small Business Majority is an advocacy and research organization that complements SBDC delivery with policy research, surveys, and educational content for small business owners — an adjacent nonprofit serving similar small-business audiences.
• Kabbage / American Express Business Blueprint: Online small business education platforms (Bluevine/Kabbage-style content portals and the Verizon Small Business Digital Ready platform WV SBDC partners with) provide self-serve business training, templates, and digital tools — an emerging substitute/complement to SBDC coaching.
• Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses: 10,000 Small Businesses is a philanthropically-funded business education and growth program providing cohort-based management training, mentoring, and access to capital to small businesses — comparable to WV SBDC's higher-end growth programming but selective rather than universal.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@WVSBDC
• Xx.com/wvsbdc
• Facebookfacebook.com/WVSBDC
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/wvsbdc

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about West Virginia Small Business Development Center (wv Sbdc)