How do I write a business plan? Where do I go to register my company name? When do I hire my first employee? Am I crazy to think this idea could be an actual business?
While we won’t be able to diagnose your mental state, we can provide you with tools, resources and contacts to help build your business.
BUSINESS RESOURCES
Business Incubators & Makerspaces – With incubators and makerspaces located throughout the state, you can gain the knowledge and camaraderie you need, no matter where in the state you live. Get access to vital training, networking and mentoring opportunities to get your new business off the ground.
Center for Women & Enterprise – The Center for Women & Enterprise (CWE) works with the U.S. Small Business Administration in NH to help current and prospective women entrepreneurs start and grow their own businesses.
Division of Economic Development – Your one-stop resource for information and assistance if you’re thinking of relocating or expanding your business to New Hampshire, or if your New Hampshire business needs help to grow, expand or adapt to changing business circumstances.
The New Hampshire Alliance of Regional Economic Development Corporations – Established to support, enhance and promote economic development efforts specific to the individual needs of the various regions of the state.
RDC Funding Programs
RDC Regional Map
New Hampshire Small Business Development Center (NH SBDC) – Provides one-on-one long-term management advising to small businesses at no cost to the client. Client companies come from all sectors seeking advice on financing, improving operations, bringing new products to market, and where to start in launching a new business or purchasing an existing one. NH SBDC offers educational programs around the state and free e-learning courses on their website:
Starting a Business in NH
Financing a Business in NH
Marketing 101
Social Media for Small Business
Hiring and Managing Employees
More e-Learning for Entrepreneurs Courses
SCORE – A nonprofit association dedicated to educating entrepreneurs and helping small businesses start, grow, and succeed nationwide. SCORE mentors provide free and confidential business mentoring through local Chapters or Online Counseling.
U.S. Small Business Administration (NH District Office) – Programs include financial and federal contract procurement assistance, management assistance, and specialized outreach to women, minorities and armed forces veterans. SBA also provides loans to victims of natural disasters and specialized advice and assistance in international trade.
ORGANIZATIONS & NETWORKS
BizGen – An entrepreneurship pitch competition for high school students designed to encourage the next generation of entrepreneurs. Student teams are mentored by professionals and pitch to real entrepreneurs for prize money to get their ideas going!
Entrepreneurs Foundation of New Hampshire (EFNH) – Strives to tap into the energy and resources of entrepreneurs, making philanthropy part of the DNA of doing business in New Hampshire. Our goal is to involve entrepreneurs, company management, employees, and investors in philanthropy as a way to support New Hampshire’s quality of life and the health of our communities for the long term.
Future Tech Women (FTW) – exists today to serve women and girls in New Hampshire with the mission to empower the next generation of women technologists. This mission is carried out through the mentoring of college and high school students, participating in programs that spark a technical interest in young girls, and through monthly hangouts – a meeting place for industry professionals who are passionate about changing the ratio of women in technology. Please contact Bethany Ross for more information.
Game Assembly NH – A game development community made up of a passionate group of video game developers who plan to transform New Hampshire into a hub for the video game industry. As part of this plan, GA has opened a space in which professionals, hobbyists and student developers can work side by side. GA is seeking support from local businesses and universities to help support work space, and developers to work along with us in our office in Manchester.
New England Web & Tech Collective (NEWT) – a group of internet marketers, web developers, designers and app developers working together to develop their skills, innovate and inspire each other. The purpose of NEWT is to establish our region as a hub for web technology, digital media and related services.
New Hampshire Clean Tech Council – The NH CleanTech Council (NHCTC) advocates and represents NH’s clean tech and energy business sector, focusing on the economic benefits that can come from a vibrant clean technology industry. Its purpose is to promote a more innovative and clean energy policy, attract new investment, and provide opportunity for growth.
New Hampshire High Tech Council – Bringing together representatives from the public and private sectors to initiate programs that encourage technology-based development in NH. Our focus is on helping New Hampshire tech businesses launch here and stay here, and therefore we offer start-ups a free membership for the first year. Contact Matt Cookson for more information.
Statewide Young Professionals Network – Attend regular events that are both social and designed to enhance your skills or knowledge in key areas.
Stay Work Play – a non-profit that works collaboratively across New Hampshire to support ongoing economic, workforce, and community development by promoting the state as a favorable place for young workers and recent college graduates to stay, work and play, when considering employment and lifestyle opportunities.
UNHInnovation – strives to create partnerships between UNH and the business community and is responsible for licensing UNH technologies and supporting start-up companies based on UNH’s innovations. UNHInnovation also hosts the co-curricular Peter T. Paul Entrepreneurship Center (ECenter), the InterOperability Laboratory, and the NH Innovation Research Center (NHIRC).
Young Entrepreneurs Academy (YEA!) – guides middle and high school students through the process of starting and running a business or social movement over the course of a full academic year.
