20 stories for 20 years: Supporting small businesses through our online resource hub Venturize
While every entrepreneur sets out to build a successful business, a lack of reputable resources and guidance can leave even the most experienced small business owner unsure of where to start or how to sustain their growth. That’s why Small Business Majority has worked to equip small business owners with the support they need through our online resource hub, Venturize. Here, business owners can access expert guidance, safe capital and the tools they need to strengthen and scale their small businesses.
Our commitment to resourcing business owners began in 2015 with the launch of our entrepreneurship program, which provided educational content on key topics such as healthcare, retirement and more. In 2018, we acquired Venturize.org through a partnership with Opportunity Finance Network, and merged our offerings into a single site. Venturize operates as a one-stop shop for small business owners to access clear and trustworthy information in both English and Spanish.
Over the years, we have continued to build and strengthen our offerings on Venturize, integrating new features and tools based on the evolving needs of business owners. For many entrepreneurs, access to safe capital and expert support continues to be a challenge. To help small businesses, we’ve integrated the CRF Connect tool in partnership with the Community Reinvestment Fund, which connects entrepreneurs to safe, responsible capital and helps them strengthen their finances without the risk of predatory loans. Additionally, we developed our provider finder tool, which matches business owners with local support organizations and experts, allowing them to access technical assistance and one-on-one coaching. As a result of our efforts, our access to capital offerings remains the most visited portion of the site, and today, there are more than 1,200 trusted technical assistance providers on our resource map.
Outside of timely updates and monthly blogs on key business topics such as branding, marketing, cybersecurity and more, Venturize has become a platform that small businesses not only use to strengthen their skills, but also rely on during challenging times. During the COVID-19 pandemic, as many small businesses were bombarded with misinformation and struggled to keep up with rapidly changing federal programs, Venturize helped cut through the noise. Through the platform, business owners stayed informed about federal grant opportunities and up to date on critical programs like the Paycheck Protection Program, the American Rescue Plan and more. It was also during this time that we launched our grant and loan portals, which were updated almost daily. Consequently, we saw more than 15 times the number of visitors to the site compared to pre-COVID, with traffic growing from roughly 3,000 users per quarter to around 50,000.
As of today, 700,000 small business owners have turned to Venturize to support their entrepreneurial journeys. This growth is a testament to the strength of our resources and our recent user-friendly site redesign, as well as our collaborations with partners and our ongoing efforts to ensure entrepreneurs stay informed about the latest government programs. For example, through our partnership with Verizon Small Business Digital Ready, a free platform dedicated to helping small businesses grow, entrepreneurs have been able to access online courses, expert coaching and exclusive grants. Additionally, our work to advance education around Community Development Financial Institutions, the State Small Business Credit Initiative and loan opportunities from the U.S. Small Business Administration has helped ensure small business owners take advantage of in-state and local opportunities designed to support their growth.
Today, Venturize remains a central component of our education and resourcing efforts, advancing our mission to ensure small businesses have the support they need. To Rachel Shanklin, Small Business Majority Senior Director, Education & Resources, Venturize fulfills this mission at a time when small businesses need it most:
This year, small business owners have faced significant changes in healthcare and immigration policy, SBA loan programs, rising tariffs and more, creating uncertainty and financial strain. Through Venturize, entrepreneurs have been able to access reliable information to help them navigate these challenges with confidence and make informed decisions for their small businesses. As we look to the future, Venturize will continue to serve as a platform for updating business owners on the latest government programs, providing practical digital tools and technologies and making education accessible through short videos and interactive resources. This gives business owners the confidence to not only grow but thrive.
20 Stories for 20 years
Since our founding in 2005, Small Business Majority has worked to empower America’s diverse entrepreneurs to build a thriving and inclusive economy through a mix of advocacy and education. But none of what we do would be possible without the people and organizations who lend their support – and their voices. As we recognize our 20th anniversary, we believe it’s important to honor those who helped us improve the landscape for small businesses over the years. One of the ways we’re doing that is through a series of 20 stories that reflect on the past and present of Small Business Majority, and also celebrate the ways in which we have worked as a collective to advance our mission to level the playing field on behalf of America’s entrepreneurs.