Small Business Resources

Louisville has a robust community of partners and resources to help small businesses start and succeed. Click here to download a detailed brochure on Louisville Small Business Resource Ecosystem or below for a translated version.

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Louisville Metro Department of Economic Development 

Economic Development administers local incentives and the city's METCO loan programs, which assists with start-up capital, working capital, capital improvements to commercial and public properties, and helps low and moderate income individuals start a microbusiness or improve a existing one. Businesses can apply for loans from $500 to $100,000. Small business owners and entrepreneurs are also encouraged to learn about setting up and growing their business here.
(502) 574-4140

 

Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development

The Office of Entrepreneurship provides guidance and support to start-up operations statewide and assists existing small business with growth opportunities. The office also guides the Cabinet’s extensive resources for small and new businesses, as well as innovative and high-tech companies, through funding initiatives, marketing and sales assistance, and small business advocacy.
(800) 626-2930

Amplify

Amplify Louisville is a place for tech-enabled startups and founders to explore ideas, build solutions, launch products, and grow businesses.
502.380.6550

 

Buy Black Lou

Buy Black Lou provides a network and directory of black-owned businesses for individuals and businesses looking to increase their supplier diversity and procure goods and services from black-owned businesses.

 

Capital Access Corporation - Kentucky

Capital Access Corp. allows clients to tap in to long-term, fully fixed, fully amortized business loans for real estate and/or equipment at a low interest rate via the SBA 504 loan program from the U.S. Small Business Administration. The program allows the client an added benefit by requiring as little as 10 percent equity in to the total project costs. The program focuses on existing business and start-up businesses, from acquiring existing real estate or even ground up construction, machinery & equipment as well as development and professional fees.
(502) 584-2175

 

Community Ventures

The nonprofit provides business loans to start-up and existing businesses and offers help with business planning and technical assistance.
(502) 566-6076

 

JFCS Navigate

JFCS Navigate serves low-income individuals, immigrants and refugees by assisting them in pursuing entrepreneurship as a viable means of achieving economic self-sufficiency. This is accomplished through business training, mentorship, financial education and credit building as well as microlending.
502.452.6341 x 225

 

LHOME 

LHOME is a community development financial institution formed by the leadership of Jewish Family and Career Services and the Metropolitan Housing Coalition with the aim to provide greatly needed low-interest, credit-building loans to low-income Louisvillians. 
(502) 882-8091

 

LISC

Louisville LISC Louisville is a CDFI that supports job growth in underserved communities by helping equip local businesses with the resources they need to grow, providing direct financing, and building out larger networks of coordinated assistance for small enterprises overlooked by conventional financing channels.
(502) 206-3805

 

Louisville Small Business Development Center

Kentucky Small Business Development Center offers training and consulting services, including one-on-one management consultations, training workshops, market research, loan packaging help, and assistance with financial projections.
(502) 625-0123

 

Render Capital

Render Capital is a community impact and social entrepreneurship lending entity focused on economic equity and serving underrepresented communities. Its First Dollar Program for Black and Brown entrepreneurs provides capital investment at the critical early stages.
(502) 208-1641

 

SCORE

SCORE is a volunteer, nonprofit organization of counselors who provide free and confidential business counseling to both prospective entrepreneurs and existing small business owners throughout the Louisville metropolitan area. 
(502) 888-4543

 

UofL Family Business Center

The Family Business Center is a community where certain businesses can exchange strategies and experiences and talk about challenges that are unique to family-owned businesses.
(502) 852-8874

 

U.S. Small Business Administration

The SBA provides counseling services to help start and grow a small business, as well as a full array of loan, contracting, and exporting programs.
(502) 582-5971