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Resources for Startups & Small Businesses

Louisville is the place to be for entrepreneurs, solopreneurs, and small business owners, with a strong network of resources to help you start, grow, and thrive. From free business coaching and planning support to funding help, e-commerce tools, and networking events like Startup Week and the Women in Business Expo, there’s something here for every stage of your journey. Whether you’re launching your first venture or scaling your side hustle, Louisville will help you find your balance.

Getting Started

CENTER FOR NONPROFIT EXCELLENCE
INDIANA SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CENTER (SBDC)
KENTUCKY SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CENTER
LOUISVILLE FREE PUBLIC LIBRARY SMALL BUSINESS RESOURCES
LOUISVILLE URBAN LEAGUE CENTER FOR ENTREPRENEURSHIP
REACH for Small Business Growth Office of Immigrant Affairs
SOUTHERN INDIANA WORKS & WORKONE
SCORE LOUISVILLE & SOUTHERN INDIANA
IU SOUTHEAST UNDERGRADUATE CERTIFICATE IN ENTREPRENEURSHIP

Events & Programs

GREATER LOUISVILLE INC. EVENTS
GLI DE&I TRAINING
DERBY DIVERSITY WEEK
ENTREPRENEURSHIP TRAINING PROGRAM: BE YOUR OWN BOSS (BYOB) NETWORK
LEADERSHIP LOUISVILLE CENTER
LOUISVILLE BUSINESS FIRST EVENTS
MELANNAIRE MARKETPLACE
STARTUP WEEK LOUISVILLE
WOMEN IN BUSINESS EXPO & CONFERENCE

Accelerator & Mentor Programs

According to Louisville Business First, Louisville is one of the best destinations in the USA for entrepreneurs and startups. If you’re starting or growing a business in Louisville, check out the resources below, plus this list of the top startup accelerators and incubators in the area.

POWER TO PROSPER ACCELERATOR (GLI)
AMPLIFY LOUISVILLE
ART, INC. KENTUCKY
CHEF SPACE KITCHEN INCUBATOR
COMMON TABLE CULINARY ARTS TRAINING PROGRAM
ENDEAVOR
FIND A MENTOR
GIFTED BY DESIGN LEADERSHIP & CONSULTING
Jewish Family & Career Services
LAUNCH BLUE ACCELERATOR
LEADERSHIP ACCELERATOR BY LEADERSHIP LOUISVILLE CENTER
THE PLAN ROOM AT ONEWEST

Financial Aid

Caesars Foundation Small Business Revolving Loans
Investor Connect – KY Tech Map
Global Economic Diversity Development Initiative (GEDDI)
New Market Tax Credit (NMTC)
Louisville Urban League Center for Entrepreneurship
Render Capital
Russell Technology Business Incubator by AMPED
Team Kentucky, Cabinet for Economic Development
Startup Grind
The ONE Fund by One Southern Indiana
Vogt Invention & Innovation Awards

Business Associations

Greater Louisville Inc.
Entrepreneurs’ Organization (EO) of Louisville
Louisville Independent Business Alliance (LIBA)
National Association of the Self-Employed
National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO)
National Federation of Independent Business
Noir Black Chamber of Commerce
University of Louisville Family Business Center
Women’s Business Center of Kentucky

Highland Commerce Guild
Frankfort Avenue Business Association
Main Street Association
Middletown Chamber of Commerce
NuLu Business Association
Shively Area Business Association

Co-Working Spaces

Lodgic: Everyday Community
Story Louisville
YES Working
(C)SPACE
Elevate Office
The Root
Fenley Office Suites
Liquid Space

LOUISVILLE IS RANKED IN TOP 15 CITIES FOR STARTUPS (2024)

Don’t see your organization listed?

Do you offer resources for either job-seekers or employers? What about startups or entrepreneurs? We want to include you! We did our best to gather community resources and are continuously adding new organizations as we become aware of them. Please submit your organization’s information with the link below.

Find a Job in Lou

Whatever you want to do, you can do it here.

Convinced yet? If you’re looking for a change of desk scenery, check out our Louisville-only job board. You can search for full-time, part-time, temporary, and startup jobs as well as internships.