Financial Resources

Indianapolis Small Business CDFI Collaborative is partnership between LISC, Build Fund, Bankable and BOI that aims to connect small business to capital through a range of financial products offered by each institution ranging from credit builder loans for first time businesses to commercial property acquisition loans and everything in between. Businesses seeking capital can submit an intake shared intake form that will be directed to the right CDFI based on the financial needs, business size and location entered into the form. Learn more and seek capital here. https://www.indianapoliscdficollab.org/

Self Education Resources

FEDERAL

U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) - Register with a username and password to receive emails about small business resources and training

IRS Small Business and Self Employment Tax Center - Outlines your tax obligations as a self-employed individual

STATE

INBiz – Indiana’s one-stop resources for registering and managing your business and ensuring it complies with state laws and regulations.

ConnectIND is Indiana's new virtual front door to our entrepreneurial ecosystem launched in 2023. There are over 4,000 resources are available through the portal statewide, and a team of Ecosystem Navigators eager and ready to help founders get connected!

Indiana Department of Revenue (IDOR) New and Small Business Education Center 

Provides information on state laws, the tax-filing process, and services available as your business grows.  

LOCAL 

Organizations below provide free-to-low-cost business coaching/advising, training and access to capital.

Business Ownership Initiative (BOI)

Indiana Small Business Development Center (ISBDC)

Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE)

SBA District Office (sign up for newsletter)

Indianapolis Public Library (3rd and 4th Floor are full of business development resources)

ESTABLISH A BUSINESS IN INDIANA:

Determine your legal entity

Register with the IN]Biz (Indiana’s business registration site)  ($90)

Obtain your EIN number (free)

Open a business bank account (shop around)

OTHER BUSINESS CONSIDERATIONS

Familiarize yourself with any industry licensing or certification requirements.

Build a portfolio of work to demonstrate the quality of your product or service

Develop a digital landing page (web site, Facebook, Instagram, etc.)

Near West Opportunity Task Force

Near West Opportunity is a project focused task force. We build professional capacity within our neighborhood by providing support and a clear pathway for residents to bring their ideas to fruition. We connect outside organizations and city wide initiatives to passionate and informed residents who can assist in raising the efficacy of their programs within the Near West. We are residents working to help ourselves and the Neighborhoods around us.

SOURCE works closely with the Near West Opportunity Task Force and hosts meetings on the second Monday of every month at 5:30pm

Mentoring

SCORE Indianapolis is the premier source of free small business advice for entrepreneurs. We are a volunteer, non-profit organization whose mission is to promote the success of small business in Central Indiana.