The SBTDC is a Leader in NC’s Small Business Ecosystem
Founded in 1984, the North Carolina SBTDC is a business advisory resource for growing and developing small to mid-sized businesses. Our highly skilled professionals provide services statewide from offices hosted by campuses of The University of North Carolina System. The SBTDC operates in formal partnership with the U.S. Small Business Administration, making it a unique and valued asset in the economic development infrastructure of North Carolina.
Mission and Vision
Our mission is to positively impact North Carolina’s economy by helping to grow small and mid-sized businesses and launch promising start-ups.
Our vision is excellence in business advising that drives small business success and a prosperous North Carolina for all.
Core Values
- People. We value our team and teamwork.
- Ethics. Our actions demonstrate the highest ethical standards.
- Impact. We deliver valuable, measurable client results.
- Collaboration. Positive internal and external partnerships are critical to service excellence.
- Diversity & Inclusion. We welcome, value, and respect the diversity of our clients, staff and partners.
- Future-Focused. Curiosity is our foundation for continuous improvement.
Small Business Expertise
The SBTDC’s professional staff are highly experienced and knowledgeable. Most of our staff have prior business ownership or executive experience and over 70 percent have graduate degrees. This depth and diversity of talent positions the SBTDC to help businesses address a broad spectrum of issues, including planning, financial management, human resources, marketing, and operations. Additionally, the diverse backgrounds of our staff allow us to match our services to client needs and provide industry-specific advice and counseling.
Our professional staff establishes valued relationships with SBTDC clients designed to produce meaningful and effective results. The SBTDC places a high value on professional development and provides quality, relevant training to our staff to keep them in a position to best help North Carolina businesses grow and flourish.
Leveraging University Resources Statewide
As an inter-institutional program of the University of North Carolina System, the SBTDC leverages the resources of 16 campuses to serve all 100 counties of the state. This connection to the UNC System allows us to access faculty, staff, graduate student teams, and interns for client-centered projects. Faculty and students gain valuable relationships and experience working with real-life client businesses; while, our clients receive additional knowledge and resources from an academic research perspective.
Funding and Accreditation
Business, government, and university leaders recognize the SBTDC’s value and impact. The effectiveness of SBTDC services is confirmed by ongoing client evaluations and annual independent verification of our economic impact. SBTDC programs and services are regularly reviewed by federal and state funding partners, including the SBA and the UNC System. The SBTDC also undergoes a rigorous external accreditation review every 4-5 years, and has been continuously accredited without conditions since 1988.
