Vermont Business Resources
BUSINESS ASSISTANCE
- US Small Business Administration
- Vermont Small Business Development Center
- Vermont SCORE
- Vermont Manufacturing Extension Center
- CVOEO Micro-Business Development Program
- Vermont Employee Ownership Center
- Vermont Center for Emerging Technologies
- Veteran's Small Business Guide
- Center for Women & Enterprise
- Vermont Professionals of Color Network
BUSINESS FINANCING
Debt Financing
- Start with your commercial lender and other local commercial banks
- Vermont Economic Development Authority
- Vermont Community Loan Fund
- Community Capital of Vermont
Other Non-Traditional Financing Sources
- ACEDC Revolving Loan Funds
- Bristol Revolving Loan Fund
- Vergennes Revolving Loan Fund
- Opportunities Credit Union
- Cooperative Fund of New England
- Vermont Employee Ownership Center Loan Fund
- Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund
Agricultural Lenders and Investors
- Vermont Agricultural Credit Corporation (VEDA)
- The Carrot Project
- Farm Credit East
- Fresh Source Capital
Venture Capital and Angel Investors
- Fresh Tracks Capital
- North Country Angel Investors
- CEI Ventures
- Center on Rural Innovation Green Mountain Accelerator Fund
- Vt Center for Emerging Technologies
- Brook Venture Partners
- Launch Capital
- Borealis Ventures
- Investors Circle
- Golden Seeds Angel Network
Grants
Despite the myths perpetrated on the internet, there are very few grants available for businesses. Grant programs come and go, evolve constantly, and typically have very targeted uses. Contact ACEDC for information on grant programs that may be available for your project.
STATE OF VERMONT DEPARTMENTS AND PROGRAMS
Agency of Commerce and Community Development
Department of Economic Development
- Vermont APEX Accelerator (formerly Procurement Technical Assistance Center) (Government contracts)
- Vermont Training Program (Grants to train employees)
- Vermont Employment Growth Incentive (Incentives for growth and relocation)
- International Trade Assistance
- Elevate Vermont (TA for SBIR/STTR and technology development)
Department of Tourism & Marketing
Department of Housing and Community Development
Vermont Agency of Agriculture Food & Markets
Business Networks and Associations
- Addison County Chamber of Commerce
- Vermont Chamber of Commerce
- Lake Champlain Chamber of Commerce
- Vermont Businesses for Social Responsibility
- Northeast Organic Farming Association of Vermont
- Vermont Fresh Network
- Vermont Woodworks Council