The Minority Business Office (MBO) is a team of passionate individuals, partners, and clients working to increase economic opportunity for minority, women, and veteran entrepreneurs across the state. As a division at OEDIT, the MBO is strategically placed to leverage relationships with other teams within OEDIT that span every type of business and every type of business owner in every industry imaginable. 

The Minority Business Office has an established network of public, private, and government resources that can be leveraged by businesses of all types and sizes to help businesses get in front of the right people and increase prospects locally, nationally, or internationally.

The Minority Business Office also manages an online learning platform to offer essential content for learning about certifications, bidding, and more. Access the online learning platform for free. 

Minority Business Programs and Funding

Advance Colorado Procurement Expo
This annual trade show helps businesses showcase their goods and services to local and state government agencies.

Business Foundations Technical Assistance Program
This program provides technical assistance and small grants to Colorado small businesses to help businesses legally establish themselves.

Minority Business Directory
This directory is Colorado’s most comprehensive database of certified minority-owned businesses.

Pathway to Certifications
Identify which certifications will help your small minority, veteran- and women-owned business bid on and win contracts with local, state, and federal governments.

All Minority Business Programs and Funding

BUSINESS FOUNDATIONS TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

Available languages: English | Español

The Business Foundations Technical Assistance program provides technical assistance and small grants to Colorado small businesses to help businesses legally establish themselves. The program includes 3 required training paths for businesses to complete and receive a certification. Once completed, businesses may be eligible to apply for small grants of up to $1,200. 

The 3 training pathways are:

• Legal Formation and Registration – helps you legally incorporate your business and access the benefits of training programs and grants from local and federal governments
• Accounting and Finance – helps you create and learn to manage the accounting system for your business to be able to clearly report your company’s financial information to facilitate access to finance necessary to grow your business
• Digital Marketing and E-commerce – helps you digitize your business to improve client relationships, increase the presence of your brand in the market, and create new opportunities to deliver your products and services

At the end of the 3 training paths, participants will receive a certificate of completion after we review your uploaded documents. This certificate will be valuable as you apply for future programs and funding from our office, such as the Small Business Accelerated Growth program and Startup Loan Fund, to show you meet minimum eligibility requirements. 

The program is currently open for registration in the technical assistance program and grant applications are open for the first 400 eligible businesses to apply. Complete the 3 training paths and application now to be considered for grant funding. 

If you have any questions, please contact us at mbo@state.co.us. 

Overview

Type: Technical assistance and grant

For: Small businesses

Amount: Up to $1,200 per business, first come first served

Program dates: Rolling

OEDIT division: Minority Business Office