the service corp of retired executives

What the service corp of retired executives does

SCORE (Service Corps of Retired Executives) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1964 that delivers free, confidential business mentoring, education, and resources to aspiring entrepreneurs and existing small business owners across the United States. Its service model rests on a nationwide network of volunteer mentors — retired business executives, former bankers, SBA lenders, marketers, and operators — who provide one-on-one guidance through more than 100 local chapters covering all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The organization also maintains a Washington, DC national headquarters (712 H St NE PMB 98848) and a 1-800 contact line (1-800-634-0245).

The product portfolio centers on three surfaces: SCORE Mentorship (free matching of entrepreneurs with experienced volunteer mentors via score.org, in-person chapter sessions, and a LiveChat synchronous channel), SCORE Academy (an online learning platform offering live and on-demand courses at academy.score.org), and Business Education (webinars, workshops, CEO forums, roundtables, and pitch events delivered online and in-person). Supporting resources include the Startup Roadmap (a 12-module structured course), audience-specific Resource Hubs for Women Entrepreneurs, Veteran Entrepreneurs, Rural Entrepreneurs, Retail, Food Services, Manufacturing, and Employee-to-Entrepreneur transitions, a library of downloadable business templates and tools, and an articles library on topics including AI adoption, digital marketing, cash flow management, and funding.

SCORE's business model is non-commercial: all services to entrepreneurs are delivered at no cost, funded through a Cooperative Agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration, corporate sponsorships from companies including Visa, Progressive Commercial Insurance, Microsoft 365 Copilot, Amazon Small Business Academy, Block Advisors (H&R Block), Pilot, FranNet, Grow with Google, and GS1 US, and tax-deductible charitable donations. The go-to-market motion is community-led, combining content marketing, SEO, webinars, email, organic social, podcasts, in-person events, and self-serve digital channels, and the customer base spans aspiring entrepreneurs, existing small business owners, franchise buyers, and women, veteran, and rural entrepreneur segments.

Name

the service corp of retired executives

Legal name

SCORE

Website

https://score.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1964

Operating status

Operating

Short description

SCORE is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1964 that provides free business mentoring, education, and resources to entrepreneurs and small business owners across the United States through a nationwide network of volunteer retired executives and 100+ local chapters.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Small Business Mentoring and Advisory Services

NAICS

Professional and Management Development Training (611430), Educational Support Services (611710)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Assessments, Quizzes & Learning Analytics Tools (MPACALAK)

Keywords

• Small business mentoring
• Entrepreneur education
• Business advising services
• Startup training
• Nonprofit business support

Headquarters

HQ city

Washington

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Corporate Sponsorships: SCORE is funded in part through corporate sponsorships from companies including Visa, Progressive, Microsoft, Amazon, and others. These sponsorships support the development of SCORE programs, projects, and resources.
2. Government Funding: Funded in part through a Cooperative Agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).
3. Donations and Charitable Gifts: SCORE accepts tax-deductible charitable gifts to support free mentoring, expert resources, and business education for entrepreneurs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

SCORE is a nonprofit organization that provides free, confidential business mentoring and education to entrepreneurs and small business owners. Its core offerings include one-on-one mentorship from experienced volunteer business leaders, online and in-person workshops and webinars, the SCORE Academy online learning platform, and structured courses such as the Startup Roadmap. These services are delivered through a nationwide network of more than 100 local chapters and via digital channels, and are supported by a library of templates, articles, and audience-specific Resource Hubs.

Product overview

SCORE is a nonprofit organization that provides free, expert mentoring and educational resources to help small businesses start, grow, and succeed. The organization operates a network of experienced volunteer mentors who offer confidential guidance to entrepreneurs. SCORE's service portfolio centers on three core offerings: (1) SCORE Mentorship - one-on-one mentoring relationships with business experts; (2) SCORE Academy - a premium learning platform with live and on-demand courses covering topics from startup fundamentals to advanced growth strategies; and (3) Business Education - webinars, workshops, and events delivered both online and in-person. These core services are supported by Resource Hubs organized by audience (retail, women entrepreneurs, rural entrepreneurs, food services, manufacturing, veterans, and employee-to-entrepreneur transitions), a library of Business Templates and Tools, and Expert Articles & Guides. The Startup Roadmap course provides structured 12-step guidance for new entrepreneurs. All services are free to entrepreneurs, with the organization funded in part through a Cooperative Agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• SCORE Academy: Premium learning platform offering advanced business courses and webinars for entrepreneurs seeking in-depth education and skill development.

Products and services

• SCORE Mentorship Free, confidential one-on-one mentoring from experienced volunteer business leaders to help entrepreneurs start, grow, and succeed in their businesses.
• SCORE Academy Online learning platform providing in-depth business courses, advanced webinars, and premium educational content for entrepreneurs.
• The Startup Roadmap A 12-module online course that guides aspiring entrepreneurs from idea validation through business launch, with practical tools and mentor guidance.
• Business Education (Webinars & Workshops) Expert-led webinars, workshops, courses, CEO forums, roundtables, and pitch events delivered online and in person to help entrepreneurs start, grow, and scale their businesses.
• Resource Hubs Curated collections of tools, guides, and expert insights tailored for specific entrepreneur audiences including retail, women entrepreneurs, rural entrepreneurs, food services, manufacturing, veterans, and employee-to-entrepreneur transitions.
• Business Templates & Tools Downloadable templates for business planning, finance, sales, marketing, and management including business plan outlines, financial projections, and operational checklists.
• Expert Articles & Guides Expert-written articles covering AI adoption, marketing strategies, financial management, and industry-specific guidance for small businesses.

Named customers5 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered major and supporting.

• VisamajorGTM or Marketing PartnerVisa is a corporate sponsor of SCORE, supporting small business programs and resources. SCORE events such as 'Understanding Your Funding Options' are sponsored by Visa.
• Progressive Commercial InsurancemajorGTM or Marketing PartnerProgressive Commercial Insurance sponsors the Startup Roadmap course and provides customized business insurance information. Partners with SCORE to power educational content for small business owners.
• Microsoft 365 CopilotsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerMicrosoft 365 Copilot sponsors SCORE's Women Entrepreneurs Resource Hub, providing technology resources for women-led businesses.
• FranNetsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerFranNet is a franchise consulting partner sponsoring SCORE events related to franchise business strategies and scaling through proven franchise systems.
• Block Advisors by H&R BlocksupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerBlock Advisors by H&R Block sponsors SCORE workshops on hiring employees, contractors, and family workers with tax and payroll guidance.
• PilotsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerPilot provides bookkeeping and financial services resources as a SCORE sponsor, supporting content on business financial management.
• Amazon Small Business AcademysupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerAmazon Small Business Academy partners with SCORE to provide resources and educational content for small business owners.
• LiveChatsupportingTechnology or IntegrationLiveChat provides the chat platform technology used on SCORE's website for real-time mentor connections with entrepreneurs.
• Grow with GooglesupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerGrow with Google partners with SCORE to provide digital skills and technology resources for small business growth.
• GS1 USsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerGS1 US provides product data standards expertise as a SCORE sponsor, supporting retail and manufacturing resource content.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Small Business Development Centers (SBDC): SBDCs are SBA-funded nonprofit resource partners providing free business advising, training, and resources to U.S. small businesses — directly comparable to SCORE in mission, funding model, and target audience.
• Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses: Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses is a tuition-free education and business support program for U.S. small-business owners, providing cohort-based learning, mentorship, and networking — directly comparable to SCORE's entrepreneur education and mentoring model.
• U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA): The SBA is SCORE's primary federal partner and the U.S. government's lead small-business support agency, providing funding, training, and resource coordination through programs aimed at the same entrepreneurs SCORE serves.
• Kauffman Foundation: The Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation is a major U.S. nonprofit foundation funding entrepreneurship research, education, and programs — comparable to SCORE as a mission-aligned nonprofit advancing U.S. small-business and entrepreneur outcomes.
• Entrepreneurs' Organization (EO): EO is a global, membership-based community of entrepreneurs offering peer learning, mentoring, and education programs — directly comparable to SCORE's mission of peer mentoring and entrepreneur development, though paid-membership rather than free.
• SCORE Akron (Local Chapter): SCORE Akron is one of SCORE's local chapter partners delivering the same free mentoring, workshops, and resources at the community level — a true direct peer operating under the same SCORE brand.

Emerging players

• Startup Grind: Startup Grind is a global startup community offering events, content, and educational programs for entrepreneurs — an emerging peer to SCORE in the entrepreneur education and community-building space, though more startup-stage focused.
• FranNet: FranNet is a franchise consulting firm that partners with SCORE on franchise-related workshops and events — an emerging peer addressing the franchise buyer segment of SCORE's customer base.

Broad incumbents

• Babson College Center for Entrepreneurial Studies: Babson College is a leading U.S. institution for entrepreneurship education, offering degree programs, executive education, and small-business mentoring — a broader incumbent peer to SCORE in the entrepreneur education category.

Regional players

• AARP Foundation Mentor Match / SCORE Veterans Programs: AARP Foundation operates mentoring programs (e.g., Mentor Match for older workers) that share SCORE's volunteer-driven nonprofit model for workforce and small-business support among U.S. populations.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/SCOREMentors
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/SCORESmallBusiness/featured
• Facebookfacebook.com/SCOREMentors
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/score-mentors
• Instagraminstagram.com/score_mentors

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 the service corp of retired executives