Hawaiʻi small businesses and nonprofits can now receive free expert guidance to apply for federal grants, loans and other funding opportunities through BizBoost, a statewide initiative from the Chamber of Commerce Hawaiʻi in partnership with Hawaiʻi Technology Development Corp.

BizBoost connects eligible businesses with vetted technical assistance providers through its online BizBoost Marketplace, where entrepreneurs can find experts in legal, financial and accounting services to help prepare, review and submit federal aid applications. Experts are also available in multiple languages, including Chinese, Hawaiian, Japanese, Tagalog/Ilocano, Spanish and Vietnamese, ensuring support is accessible to the state’s diverse business community.

The program is designed to close gaps in access to federal funding for very small businesses and nonprofits with fewer than 10 full-time employees, including those that are Native Hawaiianand minority-owned, rural or underserved, or socially and economically disadvantaged. It also supports businesses impacted by the August 2023 Maui wildfires and those seeking aid for business development, disaster relief and other federal programs.

Understanding and applying for federal funding can be complex, and BizBoost aims to simplify that process by giving business owners direct access to one-on-one technical assistance at no cost. Experts in the program can guide applicants through eligibility requirements, help assemble documentation and assist with submissions to maximize chances of approval.

For instance, one small business used a BizBoost technical assistance provider to submit a federal funding application, avoiding $3,000 in accounting expenses.

In addition to helping small businesses navigate federal programs, BizBoost is also recruiting legal, financial and accounting professionals to serve as paid technical assistance providers. Approved providers are compensated for up to 20 hours per month for their support to the business community.

The initiative also offers application support, personalized advising and connections to local providers who understand Hawaiʻi’s unique business environment. Entrepreneurs can complete an online application to be matched with an expert who can help advance their federal funding efforts.

Information sessions and workshops, such as resource fairs and webinars, are scheduled statewide to help business owners learn how to use BizBoost and understand program benefits. These events provide opportunities to ask questions, meet technical assistance partners and receive real-time support. Check out upcoming events at cochawaii.org/events.

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