Starting a Business Local Resources
Content added March 1, 2025
Modeled after an authentic business consulting firm, the Aspire Business Clinic at Columbia College provides pro bono consulting services to start-up entrepreneurs in the community. Entrepreneurs are paired with a team of students who help uncover innovative growth solutions by designing marketing plans, crafting communication and social media strategies, and developing strategic plans. Contact
Work alongside the Director of the Aspire Business Clinic and fellow students in our dynamic project consulting team. Together, you'll uncover innovative growth solutions for our clients—small businesses and nonprofits—by designing marketing plans, crafting communication and social media strategies, and developing strategic plans.
For more information, email jdmoberly@ccis.edu or rhohenstein@ccis.edu.
The University of Missouri Extension Business Development Program assists businesses throughout the state. Programs include:
• Missouri Small Business Development Centers
• Mid-America Trade Adjustment Assistance Center
• Missouri Procurement Technical Assistance Centers
extension.missouri.edu
Click for a listing of business assistance resources broken by various stages of business development.
Lafferre Hall 416 S 6th St. Room E2437N Columbia, MO 65211 573-884-8087
Free online course and guidance addressing topics such as management, marketing and strategic planning is available for new and existing businesses. All one-on-one counseling is confidential.
1601 S Providence Rd Columbia, MO 65211-3460 573-884-0496
Provides unparalleled entrepreneurial support centered in Columbia, Missouri, and offers a wide range of services. They offer state-of-the-art facilities, mentoring, access to world-class university research facilities and financing possibilities.
301 W High St Jefferson City, MO 65101 573-751-4962
ded.mo.gov/business/start-up-entrepreneurship-programs
Resources for Missouri's Startups & Small Businesses
1401 Constitution Ave NW Washington, DC 20230
A division of the U.S. Department of Commerce. Creating Pathways to Economic Empowerment. The vision of MBDA's Enterprising Women of Color initiative is to connect women entrepreneurs to a community of wealth-building resources. Grow your network, expand your client base, and connect to entrepreneurial ecosystems.
www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/tax-centers
This site provides a list of tax centers that have been developed to help you quickly find information related to your particular area of interest, industry or profession on one page.
910 E Broadway, Ste 201 Columbia, MO 65201 573-875-8117
Provider for the Small Business Administration 504 Loan Program.
500 E Walnut St, Ste 102 Columbia, MO 65201 573-442-8303
www.columbiaredi.com/programs/grow
REDI supports local businesses and the creativity and innovation of entrepreneurs through events and programming that foster a strong entrepreneurial ecosystem.
300 S Providence Rd. Columbia, MO 65201 573-874-1132
Be part of moving you and your business forward by joining more than 1,000 other members of the Columbia Chamber of Commerce.
A one-stop shop of resources for a diverse range of makers with a shared branding program, a community-wide awareness campaign, an online makers directory, educational workshops, regular maker meet-ups, pop ups and tasting events, and assistance locating manufacturing space along The Loop corridor.
cre8como.com
Content updated Aug. 13, 2025
ProsperU helps individuals and businesses learn more about how to build a successful financial life.
Classes in the ProsperU Classroom at 700 East Broadway (By appointment only. Class schedule can be found online.)
Online classes through Zoom
One-on-one financial counseling
On-site classes for businesses and organizations
700 East Broadway
Columbia, MO 65201
573-817-8900
Email
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Content updated Jan. 7, 2025
Assist eligible individuals with disabilities with employment goals.
Boone Health Nifong Medical Building
900 W. Nifong, Ste 210 Columbia, MO 65203
M-F 8am to 4:30pm
(573) 441-6327
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