America’s Small Business Development Centers – New Jersey (NJSBDC), also known as New Jersey Small Business Development Centers, was established by Congress in 1978 as one of the first national SBDC pilot projects leading to the passage of Public Law 96-302. At present the NJSBDC network is comprised of the State Office located at Rutgers Business School in Newark, New Jersey. The network has 11 full-service, regional centers, and more than an additional 21 affiliate (or satellite) offices located throughout the state. Regional centers are hosted by and affiliated with two and four-year college and university business programs with a major footprint for comprehensive small business assistance and outreach.
NJSBDC Directors and consultants are paid, proven professionals with graduate level degrees in business and many years practical experience with bottom line responsibility. Working for the NJSBDC is their career of choice that continually challenges them with formulating strategic solutions to client issues. Every four years they undergo the rigors of the Baldrige Quality Assurance Standards to maintain the highest quality customer service and a national accreditation. These dedicated professionals have “skin in the game” to assist you with moving your business forward at no cost to you. Seasoned private sector consultants from an array of industries and occupations provide more specialized and in-depth counseling to established and high-growth businesses. Additionally, experts and training in international trade, government procurement, technology commercialization, e-commerce, and sustainability services are available statewide and coordinated through the NJSBDC network’s State Office.
The NJSBDC network also provides opportunities for college students (undergraduate and graduate) pursuing business degrees to participate in research via experiential learning programs and obtain first-hand business experience under the supervision of business professionals and faculty at the respective host institutions, working through consulting teams.
- Major Funding Partner: U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA)
- State Funding Partner: NJ Business Action Center (NJBAC)
- Primary Host Institution: Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
- Other Key Private Sector Sponsors: (Bank of America, PSEG, NJ Banker’s Association, etc.)
- The NJSBDC leverages diverse funding sources to maximize small business resources & assistance
Here are a few examples of NJSBDC Programs & Initiatives:
Women’s Entrepreneurs Rock
The NJSBDC at Brookdale Community College in Lincroft hosts “Women Entrepreneurs Rock”, an annual signature event of insightful information, inspiration, and critical connections for current or aspiring women business owners.
Multi-State SBDC Hispanic Heritage Webinars
During Hispanic Heritage Month, the NJSBDC at The College of New Jersey in Ewing created and leads a series of webinars to help Latin businesses understand the best strategies to start a business, gain financial backing, market their goods and services, and more. The areas of focus were based on topics Hispanic business consultants found mostly needed during counseling sessions with Latin business owners and entrepreneurs. This program partners with SBDCs of New York, Connecticut, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, and Washington State and more.
Veterans Programs
The NJSBDC partnered with the NJ Bankers Association to help veteran entrepreneurs gain critical skills, such as digital marketing, project management, and supply chain management through Rutgers Business School’s Executive Education program.
Also, a certificate course for service members and their families who are looking for help to start or grow their business was developed by the NJSBDC at Fairleigh Dickinson University at Madison, along with the Rothman Institute of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, hosted a four-week virtual lecture series that focused on foundational building blocks of launching a company.
NJSBDC & Westfield Malls
The NJSBDC at Ramapo College of New Jersey in Mahwah partnered with the Westfield Garden State Plaza in Paramus and the American Dream Mall in Rutherford to create a retail program, allowing small businesses to lease a storefront or kiosk at the mall under conditions far more accessible than before. A small business can now lease space for three months to a year as opposed to a multi year lease. The mall has inventory that is move-in ready for small businesses that would not be able to afford that expense. The center at Ramapo worked with business owners to develop marketing strategies, business plans, and to help them secure funding.
