Resources to start, fund, and grow your Triad business
Free advising, funding programs, and local business groups, all in one place. Handpicked by TriadTrusted.
Whether you're opening a shop in Greensboro, launching a service in Winston-Salem, or growing a family business in High Point or Burlington, you don't have to figure it out alone. We've gathered the free advising, funding programs, chambers and state agencies that serve business owners across Guilford, Forsyth and Alamance counties. Start with the section that fits where you are today, and come back as your business grows.
COMMUNITY ADVISING & SUPPORT
Get free expert help
These organizations offer free or low-cost advising, classes, and mentoring to help launch and scale your venture.
NC SBTDC
Small Business and Technology Development Center providing confidential counseling, growth strategies, and research commercialization.
SCORE Greensboro
Experienced executive mentors providing one-on-one business guidance, practical startup workshops, and leadership tools.
Community College SBC
Local community college Small Business Centers delivering no-cost seminars, local training cohorts, and hands-on resource libraries.
Guilford County Resources
County-wide economic empowerment initiatives, licensing assistance, business grants access, and local partner directories.
NORTH CAROLINA CAPITAL DIRECTORY
Find funding
Loans, microloans, and programs built for small businesses in North Carolina.
SBA Loans
Government-backed 7(a) and 504 loan packages featuring competitive rates, longer amortization terms, and working capital limits up to $5M for qualified ventures.
Carolina Small Business Development Fund
Mission-driven CDFI capital offering flexible microloans and community-focused small enterprise loans paired with dedicated one-on-one business coaching across NC.
NC Rural Center
Specialized microloans up to $50,000 and expansion capital geared toward rural entrepreneurs, small family businesses, and community main street retail.
NC IDEA
Non-dilutive micro-grants ($10K MICRO) and growth grants ($50K SEED) empowering high-potential North Carolina founders with startup capital and executive mentorship.
SBA Grants
Federal innovation awards including SBIR and STTR research grants, exporting incentives (STEP), and targeted community disaster recovery allocations.
Heads up: Real grant programs never ask you to pay a fee to apply. If an offer sounds too good to be true, check with the SBTDC or SCORE first.
REGIONAL ECOSYSTEM
Connect with local business groups
Chambers and economic groups host events, referrals, and advocacy for local businesses.
Greensboro Chamber
Accelerate growth through Guilford County business networks, annual summits, and regional economic partnerships.
Greater Winston-Salem, Inc.
Tap into Forsyth County advocacy, enterprise recruitment initiatives, and monthly executive networking roundtables.
Business High Point
Engage with global home furnishings hubs, entrepreneurship incubators, and targeted B2B referral channels.
Alamance County Area Chamber
Representing commerce between Triad and Triangle with workforce leadership, public affairs, and trade mixers.
NORTH CAROLINA REGULATORY AGENCIES
Starting a Business in NC
Key state departments and portals required to register your legal entity, establish tax accounts, and tap into state-backed growth programs.
NC Secretary of State
Official registry for formation documents, Articles of Organization, name reservations, and mandatory annual reports for NC LLCs and corporations.
NC Department of Revenue
Administers state tax requirements, including Sales and Use Tax permits, employer withholding accounts, and state corporate franchise returns.
NC Department of Commerce
Provides small business counseling, grant directories, workforce development grants, and business recruitment programs across all 100 counties.
Where to start: a quick guide for new Triad businesses
Starting a business comes with a lot of paperwork and a lot of advice. Here's the order we suggest for most new owners in the Triad. Every step links back to a resource on this page, and most of them are free.
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Get free advice before you spend money
Talk to someone who does this every day. The SBTDC offers free, confidential one-on-one counseling, SCORE Greensboro pairs you with a volunteer mentor, and the Small Business Centers at Guilford Technical Community College, Forsyth Tech and Alamance Community College run no-cost seminars. A one-hour conversation can help you choose a structure, test your idea and avoid costly mistakes.
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Register your business with the state
If you're forming an LLC or a corporation, file with the NC Secretary of State. Their site also lets you check whether the name you want is available. Sole proprietors using a name other than their own usually file an assumed business name certificate with their county Register of Deeds. If you're unsure which structure fits, ask your advisor from step 1.
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Set up your tax accounts
Get a free Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the IRS, then register with the NC Department of Revenue for the state accounts you need, such as sales and use tax if you sell taxable goods, or withholding if you'll have employees. Your city or county can tell you about zoning and any local permits.
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Explore funding that fits your stage
Not every business needs a loan on day one. When you do, compare SBA-backed loans through local lenders, community lenders such as the Carolina Small Business Development Fund and the NC Rural Center, and grant programs such as NC IDEA. An advisor can help you get your plan and numbers ready before you apply.
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Join your local business community
Your chamber is where you meet customers, partners and other owners facing the same challenges. Check out the Greensboro Chamber, Greater Winston-Salem, Inc., Business High Point or the Alamance County Area Chamber, and visit an event or two before you join.
Once you're up and running, tell us about it. We love sharing new Triad businesses with our community.
FREE GROWTH RESOURCES
Keep learning: marketing and business tips
TriadTrusted is run by Hank Hoffmeier, a local marketing consultant. Two free ways to keep growing:
SMB Marketing & Business Tips
Gain actionable marketing strategies, local business growth frameworks, and direct insights curated by Hank Hoffmeier to help you attract more clients and expand sustainably.
HMBT Podcast
Tune in to Hank's Marketing and Business Tips podcast featuring deep-dive conversations, expert tactical breakdowns, and pragmatic takeaways to help you lead with clarity.
COMMUNITY CONTRIBUTIONS
Know a resource we should add?
Tell us about a program, group, or service that helps Triad businesses.