San Diego & Imperial SBDC Network

What San Diego & Imperial SBDC Network does

The San Diego & Imperial SBDC Network is a regional non-profit business assistance organization that delivers no-cost one-on-one advising, live workshops, on-demand training, and capital-access facilitation to small business owners across San Diego and Imperial counties. Hosted by Southwestern College and operating through nine regional service center partners, the network employs over 100 business advisors and serves clients in English, Spanish, Mandarin, Vietnamese, Arabic, Farsi, Swahili, Dari, and other languages. Specialty sub-brands include The Brink SBDC at the University of San Diego (technology and life sciences startups, including the San Diego Angel Conference), Connect SBDC (innovation-based companies), Export SBDC at World Trade Center San Diego (international expansion via MetroConnect), International Rescue Committee SBDC (refugee/immigrant entrepreneurs), and Alliance SBDC (minority chamber-affiliated businesses).

The network's core products are 1:1 business advising, live workshops, on-demand training, the Jumpstart Your Business Dream program, and government contracting facilitation, supplemented by partner integrations into Intuit QuickBooks (accounting/financial tools) and Jimdo (website building through SmallBizRocket). The organization develops no proprietary technology; its "platform" is its human advisor network plus partner-hosted physical locations and a virtual delivery layer adopted during COVID-19 that has remained operational.

The business model is grant-funded rather than commercial: primary funding flows through cooperative agreements with the U.S. Small Business Administration and the California Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development, with additional support from the City of San Diego, County of San Diego, The San Diego Foundation, and corporate sponsors (SDGE, Wells Fargo, US Bank). Services to end users are free, with episodic nominal fees for specialized programs. Customer segments include general small business owners, innovation-based startups, export-ready firms, government contractors, family-owned enterprises, and refugee/immigrant entrepreneurs. Since 2022, the network has reported over $2.64 billion in cumulative economic impact across its two-county service area.

Name

San Diego & Imperial SBDC Network

Legal name

San Diego & Imperial Small Business Development Center Network

Website

https://sdivsbdc.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2022

Operating status

Operating

Short description

The San Diego & Imperial SBDC Network is a non-profit providing free one-on-one business advising, workshops, and training to small business owners across San Diego and Imperial counties. It operates through nine regional service partners hosted by academic and community organizations, funded primarily by the SBA and California Go-Biz.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Small Business Consulting and Training

NAICS

Professional and Management Development Training (611430), All Other Business Support Services (561499), Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services (5416)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

SBA/USDA Government-Backed Loan Intermediation (FSAEAEAI)

Keywords

• Small business consulting
• Entrepreneur training programs
• Business growth advisory
• Government contracting assistance
• International export services

Headquarters

HQ city

National City

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices9 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Federal Government Funding (SBA): Funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). This is the primary federal funding source supporting the network's operations, advisor salaries, and program delivery.
2. State Government Funding (CalOSBA / Go-Biz): Funded in part through a grant with the California Office of the Small Business Advocate (CalOSBA) and the California Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development (Go-Biz).
3. Local Government & Foundation Support: Additional funding and support from local government entities including the City of San Diego, County of San Diego, and The San Diego Foundation, as well as corporate sponsors such as SDGE, Wells Fargo, US Bank, and others.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The San Diego & Imperial SBDC Network provides no-cost, one-to-one business advising and free or low-cost training to new and existing small businesses. Its services cover business formation, operations, marketing, financing, government contracting, export development, and startup growth through nine regional service partners and online delivery.

Product overview

The San Diego & Imperial SBDC Network is a small business assistance organization offering free consulting and low-cost training services through nine regional locations. Its core offerings include 1:1 business advising, on-demand training, live workshops, and the Jumpstart Your Business program. The network provides specialized services through sub-brands including The Brink SBDC (for technology and life sciences startups), Export SBDC (for international expansion via the MetroConnect program), and the San Diego Angel Conference (for connecting startups with angel investors). Partner programs connect clients to Intuit QuickBooks and Jimdo website building tools. The network is hosted by Southwestern College and funded by the U.S. Small Business Administration and California Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• 1:1 Business Advising No-cost, one-to-one appointments with expert business advisors providing guidance on starting, managing, and growing a business.
• Live Business Workshops Calendar-based live training workshops held throughout San Diego and Imperial counties on business topics including starting, financing, operating, and growing a business.
• On-Demand Training Self-paced training available 24/7 covering business topics such as starting a business, financing, operations, and marketing.
• Jumpstart Your Business Dream A program teaching entrepreneurs how to start a business, available in English or Spanish and offered on-demand or live.
• The Brink SBDC Specialty SBDC at the University of San Diego serving innovative technology and life-sciences startups with consulting, business training, and access to angel investors through the San Diego Angel Conference.
• Export SBDC at World Trade Center San Diego Specialty SBDC for companies expanding into international markets, providing export training, advising, and the MetroConnect accelerator program.

Quantifiable outcome

• $2.64 billion economic impact generated for the San Diego & Imperial region since 2022
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• SmallBizRocket / JimdominorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2021The San Diego and Imperial SBDC Regional Network partnered with SmallBizRocket, a joint initiative between Jimdo and the California SBDCs, to offer SBDC clients a free year of JimdoPro including domain name, email, e-commerce, and customizable website templates.
• University of San Diego School of Business (Student Market Research Partnership)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021USD School of Business partnered with The Brink SBDC to offer undergraduate marketing students hands-on learning experiences with local small business clients. Students provided market research projects for companies including Qookit, Shore Buddies, and OliveUs through their Marketing Research class.
• Southwestern CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSouthwestern College is the host institution for the San Diego & Imperial SBDC Network's lead center. It provides the administrative infrastructure, staffing, resources, and tools necessary to carry out the network's mission of serving the region's small business owners. Southwestern College also hosts the South San Diego SBDC location and offers an Entrepreneurship and Small Business certificate program.
• University of San Diego (The Brink SBDC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe University of San Diego School of Business hosts The Brink SBDC, a specialty center serving innovative start-up technology and life sciences companies. The Brink provides world-class consulting, business training, and access to angel investors through the San Diego Angel Conference. The Brink also runs the Junior Consultants Program hiring graduate business students to support local businesses.
• MiraCosta College (North San Diego SBDC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMiraCosta College in Carlsbad hosts the North San Diego SBDC, specializing in new business starts, debt finance, and government contracting, with services offered in English, Spanish, Hindi, and Punjabi.
• World Trade Center San Diego (Export SBDC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe San Diego & Imperial SBDC Network partnered with World Trade Center San Diego to bring an Export Specialty Center to the region, housed at the trade center. The center focuses on small business export issues, training, and advising to increase export-ready firms in the region. The WTC also runs the MetroConnect export accelerator program.
• East County Economic Development Council (East County SBDC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe East County Economic Development Council in El Cajon hosts the East County SBDC, serving small businesses in San Diego's East County region.
• Imperial Regional Alliance (Imperial Valley SBDC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Imperial Regional Alliance hosts the Imperial Valley SBDC serving small businesses in Imperial County, including areas receiving new funding for SBDC expansion.
• International Rescue Committee (IRC SBDC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe International Rescue Committee in City Heights hosts an SBDC focused on serving refugee and immigrant entrepreneurs in San Diego.
• Asian Business Association of San Diego, Central San Diego Black Chamber of Commerce, San Diego County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (Alliance SBDC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Alliance SBDC is a collaborative effort among the Asian Business Association of San Diego, Central San Diego Black Chamber of Commerce, and San Diego County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, serving diverse small business communities in Kearny Mesa.
• Connect (Innovation SBDC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerConnect SBDC is a specialty SBDC for innovation-based companies, serving alongside The Brink SBDC to support San Diego's startup ecosystem.
• The San Diego FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe San Diego Foundation partnered with the SBDC and County Supervisor Nathan Fletcher to deliver funding, information, and technical support to businesses and nonprofits during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Foundation administers the San Diego COVID-19 Community Response Fund and co-manages the Small Business & Nonprofit Loan Program.
• Supervisor Nathan Fletcher (County of San Diego)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCounty Supervisor Nathan Fletcher has partnered with the SBDC Network and San Diego Foundation on multiple initiatives including the County Relief Program for Small Businesses ($20.5M CARES Act), the COVID-19 Small Business & Nonprofit Loan Program ($10M raised), and SBDC Businesses Adapting to New COVID-19 Environment program ($1.7M SBA/Go-Biz funding).
• Intuit QuickBooksminorGTM or Marketing PartnerThe SBDC partnered with Intuit QuickBooks through the QuickBooks Partner Program, providing SBDC clients with access to QuickBooks resources, discounts, and financial education tools to help small businesses manage their finances.
• LendistryminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLendistry, a nonprofit institution, was selected by the State of California as the administrator of the $500 million California Relief Grant program. The SBDC provided support to help small businesses navigate the application process.
• Primary FundingminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPrimary Funding, a lender and business finance company, is a proud supporter of the SBDC. Fernando Ponce, regional business development officer, appeared on the SBDC's 'Meet the Lender' series, and Primary Funding partnered with the SBDC for webinars on cash flow solutions.
• San Diego Workforce PartnershipminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe San Diego Workforce Partnership works with the SBDC ecosystem, including providing economic analysis and labor market insights that inform SBDC programming and client support.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Others

• Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation: The Kauffman Foundation funds entrepreneurship research, education, and ecosystem programs nationally. It intersects with SBDC-like programming through grants and ecosystem reports, but is a foundation/funder rather than a direct advising peer.
• Small Business Majority: Small Business Majority is a national small-business advocacy and research organization that provides policy research, resources, and educational content to entrepreneurs. Thematically aligned with SDIV SBDC's mission of supporting SMB health and policy responsiveness, though operating primarily in advocacy rather than 1:1 advising.
• Small Business Administration (SBA): The SBA is the federal agency that funds and certifies the SBDC network via cooperative agreements. Not a direct peer in service delivery, but the structural parent funder and policy sponsor that defines SBDC operating scope and compliance.

Direct peers

• SCORE: SCORE is an SBA resource partner that provides free, confidential mentoring, workshops, and webinars to small business owners across the U.S. — directly comparable to the SDIV SBDC's free 1:1 advising and training model, funded and chartered under the same SBA ecosystem.
• Veterans Business Outreach Centers (VBOC): VBOCs are SBA-funded centers providing business training, advising, and resource referrals to veteran entrepreneurs. Comparable in mission and funding structure to SDIV SBDC, focused on a different ownership segment (veterans).
• SCORE San Diego: SCORE San Diego is the local chapter of SCORE providing free mentoring, low-cost workshops, and webinars to small businesses in the same San Diego/Imperial region. Most direct local peer — competes/coexists with SDIV SBDC for the same client base under the same SBA resource-partner framework.
• Women's Business Centers (WBC): WBCs are SBA-funded resource partners that provide tailored training, advising, and access to capital/federal contracts to women entrepreneurs. The SDIV SBDC delivers a substantively similar free-advisory + training bundle to a different demographic segment under the same SBA umbrella.

Regional players

• Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC): BDC is a Canadian Crown corporation that provides financing, advisory, and capital to Canadian SMBs — functionally analogous to a Canadian analog of the SBDC network. Comparable in mission (SMB advisory + capital access) but operates only in Canada and offers both advisory and lending, unlike the advisory-only SDIV SBDC.

Broad incumbents

• America's SBDC: America's SBDC is the national association representing 1,000+ SBDC centers nationwide — the umbrella organization of which SDIV SBDC is a member. Offers overlapping advisory/training capabilities at far greater scale and breadth, though without localized delivery in San Diego/Imperial.
• California Small Business Development Centers (CalSBDC): CalSBDC is the state-level lead network coordinating SBDCs across California, funded by Go-Biz. Operates the same federal-state SBDC model as SDIV SBDC across many service lines (advising, capital access, government contracting) but at state scale.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/sdsbdcnetwork
• YouTubeyoutube.com/c/SanDiegoImperialSBDCSouthwesternCollege
• Facebookfacebook.com/SanDiegoandImperialSBDC
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/sandiego-sbdc-network
• Instagraminstagram.com/sdsbdcnetwork

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Subsidiaries9 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 San Diego & Imperial SBDC Network