Have a great idea? Does setting your own hours, your own rate of pay and your own performance standards sound appealing? Than why not consider working for yourself? As good as it sounds, starting a business is no small undertaking and we've gathered some helpful resources to help you step out on the path from concept to corporation.
On this page
Getting Started
Writing a Business Plan
Raising Money
Vermont State Resources
ThinkVermont.org
One Stop shopping for starting up a business.
DigitalBridges20.net
Middlebury College's very own entrepreneurial powerhouse - a great way to get involved today!
The Liberal Arts Primer
The Business Forum
"An independent informational professional resource center for the owners/managers of emerging business and entrepreneurs."
Entrepreneurial Education Foundation
FastTrac is a practical, hands-on business development program designed to help entrepreneurs hone the skills needed to create, manage and grow a successful business.
Entrenpreneur.com
Entreworld.com
"The entrepreneur's search engine."
National Business Incubation Association
Business incubation catalyzes the process of starting and growing companies. A proven model, it provides entrepreneurs with the expertise, networks and tools they need to make their ventures successful
Take an Entrepreneur Quiz?
Do you have the right stuff? Take this quick quiz and find out.
U.S. Small Business Administration
Federal Agency with a mission to assist existing or potential small businesses with financial assistance and/or technical assistance.
Vault Guide to Starting Your Own Business
Review and purchase this guide offering your complete resource to jobs, careers, interviews and recruiting involved in starting your own business. Go to CSO's password page to access Vault guides for free.
Workingsolo.com
The information source for independent entrepreneurs and companies serving the SOHO market.
Yahoo! Small Business
One stop business solutions resource
Business Plan Consulting Services
BizPlanIt provides business plan consulting services to early-stage, emerging-growth and established companies. We partner with clients to prepare clear, concise and compelling business plans that get results. Our team has developed plans resulting in several hundred million dollars in start-up and expansion capital on behalf of our clients.
How to Start a Small Business
Everything you need to know about starting your business.
Vermont Online Business Registry
The Vermont Business Registry allows your company to list your products and services in a searchable database, which is used extensively by state, federal, and local municipalities, as well as the private sector to locate product manufacturers and service providers.
National Association of Seed and Venture Funds
The National Association of Seed and Venture Funds is an organization of private, public and nonprofit organizations committed to building their local economies by investing and facilitating investment in local entrepreneurs.
FreshTracks Capital, Middlebury, VT
FreshTracks Capital, L.P., is an early-stage venture fund, combining the financial resources of $20 million in venture capital with the strategic resources needed by entrepreneurs to build thriving businesses in the Champlain Valley and throughout Vermont.
Garage.com
Garage Technology Ventures is a venture capital investment bank that provides private placement services for high technology companies and investors.
Starting a Business in Burlington
From the Community and Economic Development Office in Burlington, follow this link to learn all about starting your own business in the Burlington Area.
Vermont Department of Economic Development
The DED operates within the Agency of Commerce and Community Development, whose mission is to preserve our heritage, promote vibrant communities, and create a sustainable economy that provides all Vermonters with the opportunity for meaningful employment.
Vermont Economic Development Authority (VEDA)
Provides services and assistance to potential and new business start-ups.
Vermont Small Business Development Center
The SBDC mission is to assist start-ups and strengthen existing business entities through high quality, no cost counseling, and high quality, affordable.