Kansas Entrepreneur | SBA News & Events | October 2024
Since 2004, the President and Congress have declared the month of October to be Cybersecurity Awareness Month, a dedicated month for the public and private sectors to work together to raise awareness about the importance of cybersecurity. ?
Over the years it has grown into a collaborative effort between government and industry to enhance cybersecurity awareness, encourage actions by the public to reduce online risk, and generate discussion on cyber threats on a national and global scale. October 2024 marks the 21st Cybersecurity Awareness Month. Learn more about protecting your business at https://www.sba.gov/cybersecurity
SBA Cyber Summit
Join us virtually on October 16 and October 23, 2024, for the SBA Cyber Summit, your premier destination for mastering cybersecurity in the small business landscape. This invaluable event is completely free to register and attend!
Discover cutting-edge strategies and solutions from a diverse lineup of experts, including top cybersecurity specialists, business coaches, peer entrepreneurs, Federal and state program managers, and leading corporate technologists. Gain actionable insights, practical advice, and hands-on guidance tailored to the unique needs of small business owners and entrepreneurs.?
Don't miss this opportunity to secure your business's future and connect with industry leaders who can help you navigate the complex world of cybersecurity. Reserve your spot today and empower your business with the knowledge and tools to thrive in a digital age!? ?
Sample Workshops for the SBA Cyber Summit? ?
Cybersecurity Fundamentals for Small Businesses?- Learn the essentials of cybersecurity, including common threats and protective measures to safeguard your business data.? ?
Building a Robust Cybersecurity Policy?- Develop a comprehensive cybersecurity policy tailored to your business, including best practices for employee training and incident response.? ?
Securing Your Digital Assets: Tools and Techniques?- Explore the latest tools and techniques for protecting your digital assets, including encryption, secure passwords, and multi-factor authentication.? ?
Risk Assessment and Management Strategies?- Understand how to conduct a cybersecurity risk assessment and implement strategies to manage and mitigate potential threats.? ?
Incident Response Planning: Preparing for the Worst?- Create an effective incident response plan to quickly and efficiently address cybersecurity breaches and minimize damage.? ?
Each workshop is designed to provide practical knowledge and actionable steps to help small business owners strengthen and protect their enterprises.
For over 60 years, National Small Business Week has recognized the outstanding achievements of America’s small businesses for their contributions to their local communities, and to our nation’s economy. The SBA is currently accepting nominations for its 2025 National Small Business Week Awards, including the Small Business Person of the Year. All nominations must be submitted electronically no later than 4:00 p.m. EDT on December 5, 2024. The awards will be presented during the National Small Business Week awards ceremony in Washington, D.C. on May 4-5, 2025.
In the News
SBA Lending
SBA has announced for the second year in a row there will be no charge for "upfront fees" on loans of $1 million or less for both the 7(a) and 504 loan programs. To continue to encourage small-dollar lending, the agency will continue to set zero or extremely low fees for small-dollar loans, including no annual service fees to lenders for loans $500,000 or less in its flagship 7(a) program. SBA further announced its 7(a) Working Capital Pilot (WCP) program will charge no upfront fees for loans $1,000,000 or less and no annual service fee to lenders for loans $500,000 or less.
Top SBA Lenders in the Wichita District
By number of SBA 7(a) Loans:
By total 7(a) Loan Dollars:
Top 504 Lenders:
More information on SBA Lending Activity can be found through the Office of Capital Access Data Sets.
Upcoming SBA Events
Kansas Exporter Roundtable | McPherson | October 8, 9:00am
领英推荐
The Kansas Department of Commerce International Division, the U.S. Commerical Service, and the SBA have collaborated to bring a monthly Kansas Exporters Roundtable to communities across the state?to share:
With three-quarters of the global market outside the United States, the Kansas Exporters Roundtable will explore ways to elevate export businesses and encourage Kansas businesses to enter the export markets!
Exploring SBA's New One-Stop Contracting Certification Platform | October 17, 12:00pm
Federal buyers can use several set-aside?categories, such as woman- or service-disabled?veteran-owned?when contracting with small businesses. Small businesses can get certified in one or more of these categories to increase their opportunities for awards. But until recently each certification had a unique application submitted through different platforms. Although?many of the application requirements are the same, such as providing ownership documents and tax returns, multiple certification applications meant supplying the SBA with the same documents multiple times. Through MySBA Certifications, small businesses can apply for multiple certifications in one platform, sharing common document requirements across all applications.? Learn more about the new platform and certification requirements during this webinar.
Resource Partner News & Events
Find low or no-cost, targeted training in both in-person and online formats on topics that matter to you and your small business. Join a business expert at an interactive in-person or virtual workshop or learn at your own pace with one of our recorded webinars.
?
October 10, 10:00 AM CST? ? ?Creating a Strategy on Social Media
Are you struggling to make your social media presence stand out? This webinar is designed to equip you with the tools and knowledge you need to create an effective social media strategy. We will go over how to identify your audience, leverage your analytics, choose the right platforms, and create high quality content.
October 10, 12:00 PM CST? ? ?Accounting for Non-Accountants
Do you ever feel overwhelmed by financial terms like "balance sheet" or "income statement"??This introductory session, designed specifically for those new to accounting, is the perfect starting point. By gaining a grasp of financial cornerstones, you'll be well-equipped to make informed decisions that contribute to the success and growth of your business. ?
October 15, 5:30 PM CST How to Start a Business - Manhattan
Introduces entrepreneurs to the basic steps of starting a business. Here you will learn about local resources, how to research your ideas and markets, legal and registration requirements, business plan resources, and opportunities for financing.
October 24, 10:00 AM CST? ? ?Benefits Fair for Small Business - Wichita
Are you a small business leader seeking to enhance the well-being of your employees and yourself? The Benefits Fair for Small Businesses is your opportunity to connect with local providers and advisors offering a range of plans, programs, and memberships designed to support your success. Learn about resources in:
Other Small Business Events
Kansas APEX Accelerators
October 2, 9:30 AM CST? ? ?Kansas APEX Accelerator's Guide to Successful Proposal Writing
This workshop, presented by Kansas APEX Accelerator, will provide information on reading government entities' Requests for Proposals, what is asked for, and how to write to the requirements of the requests. It will also provide information on collecting the information you will need to have available for many proposals. ?
Who should attend: Proposal writing staff, management that make decisions on pursuing solicitations, & business development professionals. What you will learn: Which section of solicitations to look for to make quick decisions, important areas of a solicitation that tell you how to respond and see a sample of how to respond to a solicitation. ?
This event is ONLINE only.
October 9, 9:00?AM CST? ? ?Competing for Government Contracts: Basic Training - Federal Portion? ? ?Pittsburg, KS
Federal, state, and local governments spend more than $800B per year buying goods and services. This introductory seminar, provided by the Kansas APEX Accelerator, offers an overview of the critical ?rst steps to becoming a government contractor. Join us to learn to identify opportunities and understand the contracting process. You will also learn about services available to help you.
October 9, 1:30?PM CST? ? ?HUBZone Program Training? ? ?Pittsburg, KS
Around 4,000 businesses across the country are HUBZone certified by the SBA for bidding and obtaining federal contracts under the HUBZone program. The Pittsburg area, including most of the surrounding counties, has been designated for inclusion in the HUBZone certification program. Presently the HUBZone goal for government agencies is for them to spend 3% of their dollars with HUBZone companies. You can find out how your business could qualify for HUBZone certification in a presentation by Scott Knapp of the Kansas APEX Accelerator.?This event is in-person only.
October 10, 9:00?AM CST? ? ?Competing for Government Contracts: Basic Training - State Portion? ? ?Pittsburg, KS
Federal, state and local governments spend more than $800B per year buying goods and services. This introductory seminar, provided by the Kansas APEX Accelerator, offers an overview of the critical ?rst steps to becoming a government contractor. Join us to learn to identify opportunities and understand the contracting process. You will also learn about services available to help you. This training is in person only.