Small Business Resources
Starting, growing, hiring, funding, or navigating a challenge? The SV Chamber connects local entrepreneurs with trusted public, nonprofit, and chamber resources across Silicon Valley.
Start Here: Free Business Advising
Silicon Valley Small Business Development Center →
No-cost, confidential advising for Santa Clara County entrepreneurs, hosted at San José State University and supported by the SBA and GO-Biz. Business planning, capital, marketing, operations, compliance, and growth.
SCORE Silicon Valley →
Free volunteer business mentoring, workshops, and educational resources for entrepreneurs starting, growing, buying, or selling a business.
NorCal SBDC Network →
Find the right SBDC center by location and access no-fee advising, trainings, and regional events across Northern California.
California Employer Compliance — Free from CalChamber
HRWatchdog Blog →
CalChamber’s California employment-law blog, free to read with no login. Wage and hour, leave, hiring and termination, harassment, workplace safety, and new local ordinances, updated several times a week.
Free HR Tools, Quizzes & Checklists →
CalChamber’s public labor-law hub: the exempt/nonexempt wizard, meal and rest break quiz, leave interaction (FMLA/CFRA/PDL) wizard, harassment quiz, and a termination checklist. No membership needed.
New Employment Laws White Paper →
CalChamber publishes a free annual white paper summarizing the labor and employment laws taking effect January 1. Posted each fall on HRWatchdog.
Free CalChamber eNewsletters →
Sign up at no cost for HRCalifornia Extra (biweekly labor-law reports), eAlert (proposed legislation, ballot measures, and economic reports), and the weekly Council for International Trade Update.
The Workplace Podcast →
CalChamber’s free podcast on issues facing California employers — new laws, legislative proposals, and what they mean in practice. Over 200 episodes.
HRCalifornia 7-Day Free Trial →
A free 7-day trial of HRCalifornia, CalChamber’s full compliance library of forms, handbook templates, and HR guidance. Paid membership after the trial.
Local City & County Business Help
City of San José Small Business Resources →
Support for San José businesses, including financial resources, free legal services, safety/blight help, and multilingual information.
Santa Clara County Business Resources →
County resources and links for businesses, including labor standards and state small-business portals.
City of Sunnyvale — Start & Grow Your Business →
Step-by-step guidance for starting or changing a business, including zoning reminders before signing a lease or buying property.
City of Mountain View Economic Development →
Business tools, support services, funding information, expert advice, and a small-business social media toolkit.
City of Cupertino Business & Development →
Business development, licenses, permits, bids, proposals, and economic development information.
Funding, Loans & Capital Readiness
U.S. Small Business Administration — SF District →
SBA help with funding programs, counseling, federal contracting certifications, disaster recovery, and lenders across the Bay Area.
CalOSBA →
Statewide small-business support, technical assistance centers, funding opportunities, and help navigating programs and regulations.
GO-Biz California Business Investment Services →
State business assistance, incentives, grants, financing resources, and business investment guides.
Working Solutions CDFI →
California small-business loans, generally $5,000–$100,000, paired with free business consulting.
Main Street Launch →
California small-business loans up to $350,000, plus technical assistance and business advising.
Kiva U.S. Loans →
Crowdfunded 0% interest loans for U.S. small businesses, with no fees, collateral, or minimum credit score listed by Kiva.
Hiring, Workforce & Training
NOVAworks →
Workforce services for Silicon Valley and San Mateo County: employer hiring support, HR consulting, employee training, and labor-market information at no cost.
work2future →
No-cost career and workforce services in the San José region, supporting residents, job seekers, and employers.
EASTBAY Works →
Public workforce network with employer services including talent recruitment, upskilling, tax credits, wage subsidies, and labor-market intelligence.
Legal, Permits & Compliance
LCCRSF — Legal Services for Entrepreneurs →
Free business legal services for qualifying low-income entrepreneurs, community-serving businesses, and mom-and-pop shops facing displacement pressures.
Bay Area Legal Aid →
Free civil legal help for qualifying low-income Bay Area residents, including advice, clinics, and representation.
USPTO Patent Pro Bono Program →
Free patent legal assistance for eligible financially under-resourced inventors and small businesses.
California Inventors Assistance Program →
California’s patent pro bono referral program for financially under-resourced independent inventors and small businesses.
Entrepreneurship Training & Inclusive Business Support
Renaissance Entrepreneurship Center →
Bay Area nonprofit providing small-business training, counseling, access to capital and markets, and programs for entrepreneurs at different stages.
AnewAmerica Women’s Business Center →
Business training and one-on-one support focused on women, immigrants, minorities, and underserved entrepreneurs.
Not sure where to start?
Contact the SV Chamber and we’ll help point you toward the right local, regional, state, or federal small-business support partner.