The New Haven Free Public Library and the greater New Haven community have many resources to help business owners at all stages grow and thrive!
One-on-One Appointments
Business and Nonprofit Librarian Alexandria Robison is passionate about building relationships with Connecticut small business owners to provide the support that businesses and nonprofits need to be successful. She is available to answer many of your business and nonprofit related questions and put you in touch with other resources within the Greater New Haven entrepreneurial ecosystem! Office hours are available on Tuesdays from 3-5 pm by appointment.
Collab Office Hours provide Connecticut leaders and entrepreneurs with a chance to deep dive into themselves and their venture — whether it’s just an idea or an existing organization. Sessions are 30 minutes, conducted over the phone, and open to anyone in Connecticut.
Small Business Books
Skip to End of CarouselGrant Opportunities
New Haven Equitable Entrepreneurial Ecosystem (NHE3) was conceived by The Community Foundation (TCF) to build an equitable entrepreneurial ecosystem designed for historically marginalized entrepreneurs, such as those who identify as Black, Latinx, and women. Learn more!
GrantWatch is the leading grant website, providing a comprehensive database of grants and foundations, as well as a range of features designed to simplify the grant-seeking process. Ask a librarian in Ives Squared to log you in.
Entrepreneurial Support Organizations
The Black Business Alliance (BBA), is a 501c6 non-profit membership organization; which seeks to EMPOWER, GUIDE, PROMOTE, ENHANCE, COLLABORATE and GROW small and medium sized black and minority businesses throughout Connecticut and Nationally by addressing the gap in business access to funding, educational resources and statewide capacity building. Learn more!
KNOWNpreneurs Inc is a non-profit organization that supports underrepresented minority small businesses growth and sustainability by providing: business networking and showcasing events, technical assistance, access to capital resources through our financial partnerships, and connecting small businesses to Connecticut’s entrepreneur support organizations. Learn more!
The mission of the Women’s Business Development Council (WBDC) is to support economic prosperity for women and strengthen communities through entrepreneurial and financial education services that create and grow sustainable jobs and businesses across Connecticut. From starting or growing a business to increasing income, WBDC drives business success in a tangible and accessible way. Learn more!
Business Certifications
MBE Certification process distinguishes your company as a minority-owned business through The Southern Connecticut Black Chamber of Commerce. Our organization invites you to become our member and get your company certified. Doing so allows you the opportunity of being considered ahead of other businesses when it comes to doing business with the State or City. Whether you are just starting a business or your company is already established, you can drastically benefit from these “set aside” contracts. Learn more!
The Supplier Diversity Program certifies Small Business Enterprise and Minority Business Enterprise (S/MBE) companies. Certification opens valuable avenues towards economic growth by helping companies build revenue and find potential new customers through set-asides and inclusion in an online directory used by state and private industry to identify vendors. To be eligible for this FREE certification, businesses must be CT-based, independently run, and registered as small with the Federal System for Award Management (SAM). Learn more!
National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC) certification for minority business enterprises (MBEs) comes with numerous benefits and services, including educational programs plus a wide range of networking opportunities. MBE certification is the gold standard for minority-owned for-profit businesses, and it is the certification that NMSDC has offered for its more than 50-year history. It requires that businesses are at least 51% owned, managed, and controlled by qualified minority group members.
Support Black-Owned Businesses
Find Black-owned businesses across CT with the business directory from shopblackct.com.
Read this article from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce about more than 20 other directories just like this one!
Learn more about these and other resources by emailing our Business and Nonprofit Librarian at [email protected] or visit us in Ives Squared‘s entrepreneur development space.