Small businesses are the backbone of our communities and essential to the prosperity of our nation. At the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, we’re helping strengthen local communities by fueling the growth of small businesses through our BizConnect Local program.
Designed by the U.S. Chamber Foundation with funding from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, BizConnect Local is a development and mentorship program for small businesses in economically distressed areas. Partnering with local chambers of commerce, we provide small business owners with coaching, networking opportunities, and financial assistance to advance their economic success and resiliency.
In 2023, we launched our pilot program in partnership with the Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce to support small businesses in San Antonio.
Who We Helped
- 23businesses were selected to participate in BizConnect Local: San Antonio and came from a variety of industries and levels of experience.
- 6years old was the average age of businesses, ranging from less than one year old to 27 years in existence.
- 8industries represented across the cohort.
Top Challenges
Prior to starting BizConnect Local: San Antonio, participants expressed a variety of challenges that they were facing, with cash flow and access to capital being some of the most common issues.
Optimistic for the Future
- 9 out of 10Optimism about the future of their business stayed strong throughout the program, with participants ranking their optimism at nine on a 10-point scale (with 10 being extremely optimistic). Reasons cited for their continued optimism include the positive impact that the BizConnect Local program had on them, the implementation of strategies and tools they learned, and the strength of their products and teams.
Hear From Our Participants
Dive Deeper
Learn more about how the program is helping strengthen communities through small business growth.
