About Us

Gannon University Small Business Development Center provides no-cost consulting services to entrepreneurs and small business owners. Whether you need help identifying local markets for your business, are developing a business plan and want a second opinion, or have compliance issues you'd like to clarify, SBDC consultants are ready to help you grow your business. All services are extended to the public on a non-discriminatory basis.

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Our services and resources are funded through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration, by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania through the Department of Community & Economic Development's Partnerships for Regional Economic Performance and through support from the host institutions. The Gannon University SBDC has been hosted by Gannon University for over 40 years.

Member of:
America' SBDC Logo
Funded in part by:
Hosted by:
Pennsylvania Department of Community & Economic Development logo
U.S. Small Business Administration logo
Gannon University logo

Our Mission

Our program is dedicated to promoting economic growth in our community. We provide confidential one-on-one business consulting to assist with business start-ups, growth, loans, marketing, government contracting, technology and more. We have the resources to help you start, grow or manage your business and, as a result of our school and government funders, most of our services are at no cost to the client.

We also offer low-cost training events and workshops to help you strengthen your business knowledge and apply it immediately to your business plans. Whether starting a new business or running an existing business, we can help you guide your business to a more successful future.

Services

Business success requires both sufficient capital and the knowledge to use it wisely. SBDC consultants help entrepreneurs develop the planning, management, and financial skills necessary to make their business thrive. The SBDC’s one-on-one management consulting emphasizes education and guidance in finding practical solutions to business problems. Consulting is confidential and provided at no charge by a staff of skilled professionals. Services cover a range of topics relevant to small business owners:​

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Business /

Strategy Planning

  • Business Viability Assessment

  • Market Analysis & Competitive Research

  • Business Plan Development

  • Strategic Planning

  • Commercialization of Technology

  • Business Structure

Capital Acquisition

  • Financing options

  • Loan Packaging

  • Equity Options

Financial Management

  • Accounting & Recordkeeping

  • Financial Management & Analysis

  • Taxes

Targeted Assistance

  • Online Business

  • Government Marketing

  • International Trade

  • Shale Energy

  • Business Disruption

  • Affordable Care Act

Marketing

  • Customer Service

  • e-Commerce

  • Market Research

  • Marketing Materials/Promotion

  • Marketing Plan Development

  • Social Media

Environmental Management

  • Environmental Regulatory Compliance

  • On-site Assessments

  • Emissions Calculations

  • Permit & Plan Preparation Assistance

  • Record Keeping & Reporting Assistance

  • Greening Your Business

  • PA Material Trader

Operations

  • Developing Policies and Procedures

  • Inventory Control

  • Quality Control

  • Cost Control

  • Regulatory Assistance

  • Information Technology

Human Resources

  • Attracting, Hiring & Managing Employees

  • Compensation

Technology

  • Technology Commercialization & Marketing

  • SBIR/STTR Proposal Preparation Assistance

  • Product Feasibility Analysis

  • Product Development/Engineering Services

Industry-Specific

  • Manufacturing

  • Retailing

  • Service

Environmental Management Assistance Program (EMAP)

Environmental Management Assistance Program provides statewide no-cost and confidential assistance with environmental regulations.  EMAP environmental consultants conduct on-site assessments and assist with understanding environmental regulations and preparing emission calculations and permit applications.  EMAP also helps small businesses “Go Green” and become more sustainable, identifying opportunities for cost savings and pollution reduction. The SBDCs and EMAP also host the business to business exchange, the Pennsylvania Material Trader, which provides an opportunity for small business to save money on raw materials and waste disposal costs.

Government Marketing

To help companies procure contracts with the federal, state, local and quasi-government agencies, Government Marketing services are available statewide to small businesses looking to diversify their sales streams.  Business owners will learn how to register with government databases, find contracts through Pennsylvania SBDC’s online Bid Match service, and gain feedback on developing government proposals. To learn more about Government Marketing services contact your local SBDC or Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC).

Technology Commercialization

The SBDCs assist small businesses in Pennsylvania looking to determine the viability of technologies, obtain financing, or introduce new technologies to market. The Pennsylvania SBDC is a member of the Innovation Partnership (IPart), a consortium of economic development and business assistance organizations located throughout the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania whose collective goal is to help early-stage technology companies in Pennsylvania secure federal funding opportunities. Through IPart, small businesses have access proposal preparation assistance including pre-proposal technical reviews and funding assistance for proposal preparation.

International Business

The SBDC can help established businesses grow their business overseas by helping to develop and implement exporting strategies for increased sales.  Services offered by certified international trade consultants include helping companies assess their international trade readiness, evaluating  products or services for export potential and helping to identify the best foreign market opportunities. Assistance is also available to develop strategic and marketing plans, identify foreign sales agents and distributors and review trade procedures and regulations.  Businesses are also able to learn more about technical and regulatory standards, trade financing and risk management in addition to foreign trade missions and international trade show opportunities.

Shale Energy

Small businesses, regardless of proximity to a primary drilling location, may be able to take advantage of Marcellus Shale supply chain opportunities to grow their business. Through a strategic business plan to enter the market, savvy business owners are able to find new opportunities in this expanding industry in Pennsylvania.