Helping you strengthen and grow your Maine business
Providing no-cost, confidential business advising to help entrepreneurs in the creation, growth, and success of their small businesses.
The Maine SBDC program helps build and strengthen small businesses through business advising, training and educational resources. Certified Business Advisors provide guidance on topics such as business feasibility, business plan development, capital acquisition, financial management, marketing and sales, e-commerce, customer service, personnel management, small business strategic planning and more.
The Maine SBDC is a program of the U.S. Small Business Administration, the Maine Department of Economic and Community Development and the University of Southern Maine. CEI is proud to be one of a number of organizations that host Maine SBDC service centers across the state.
Interpretation services are available upon request.
Our Services
Maine SBDC Advisors at CEI are qualified business people with diverse educational and business experience. Assistance is provided in the following areas:
- business start-up/acquisition
- sources of credit and financing
- marketing and sales
- market research
- government procurement
- accounting, record keeping and cash flow analysis
- operations
- personnel management
- loan packaging
- business liquidation/sale
- international trade
- various other business issues
Workshops, Training and Events
Maine SBDC offers free, live, and on-demand learning opportunities for small businesses.
Offered at no-cost on a broad range of business topics. Seminars are presented by our certified business advisors or local and national experts.
Live webinars are a great opportunity to get hands-on assistance in a group setting, all while networking and connecting with other entrepreneurs.
*Reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities can be made if requested at least two weeks in advance. Contact 1-800-679-7232.*
Available at no-cost, 24/7, on a broad range of small business topics in English, French and Somali. Additional eCourses are being added all the time.
Our business advisors may recommend you complete an online workshop prior to your meeting so that you both can make the best of your time together.
Our YouTube channel contains a vast array of past webinars and informational videos that can help guide you as you learn and grow as a business owner.
Our Locations
Waterville
Located at Mid Maine Chamber of Commerce
50 Elm Street
Waterville, ME 04901
Funded in part through a Cooperative Agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration. Reasonable accommodations for people with disabilities will be made if requested at least two weeks in advance. Interpretation is available upon request.
The Maine SBDC is a program of the U.S. Small Business Administration, the Maine Department of Economic and Community Development and the University of Southern Maine.
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