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Want to Start a Business in Texas?

What Is the U.S. Small Business Administration?

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is a federal agency that supports individuals in starting, growing, and sustaining small businesses. In alignment with the SBA’s Office of Entrepreneurial Development, The Catholic Action Network (TCAN) is committed to empowering aspiring entrepreneurs by connecting them with trusted public and community-based resources that expand opportunity, strengthen businesses, and promote long-term economic mobility. 

How can the SBA help me start a business?

The SBA helps individuals—just like you—start and grow a business through free or low-cost research assistance, training programs and workshops, one-on-one mentoring, and access to business financing, among other resources. This support may include help with market and competitor analysis, writing a business plan, registering your business, and identifying grant opportunities or SBA-approved lenders. 

Where do I begin?

You can begin the process of starting a business by contacting your local SBA District Office using one of the methods listed below or by clicking the contact form for your district office. If you are interested in attending one of the many free or low-cost events offered virtually or across the Lone Star State, please click the scheduled events link below to learn more. 

Scheduled Events

Texas District Offices

Dallas / Fort Worth District

Dallas / Fort Worth District

Dallas / Fort Worth District

Phone: 817-684-5500 

Email: Dfwdo.email@sba.gov

Office Directory

DFW Contact Form

El Paso District

Dallas / Fort Worth District

Dallas / Fort Worth District

Phone: 915-834-4600 

Email: N/A

Office Directory: N/A

El Paso Contact Form

Houston District

Dallas / Fort Worth District

Lower Rio Grande Valley District

Phone: 713-773-6500 

Email: N/A

Office Directory

Houston Contact Form

Lower Rio Grande Valley District

Lower Rio Grande Valley District

Lower Rio Grande Valley District

Phone: 956-427-8533 

Email: LRGVDO.email@sba.gov 

Office Directory

LRGV Contact Form

San Antonio District

Lower Rio Grande Valley District

San Antonio District

Phone: 210-403-5900  

Email: SADO.email@sba.gov  

Office Directory

San Antonio Contact Form

West Texas District

Lower Rio Grande Valley District

San Antonio District

Phone: 806-472-7462 

Email: N/A

Office Directory

West TX Contact Form

Small Business Development Center

Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs), in partnership with the SBA, help entrepreneurs start, grow, and scale their businesses by providing practical, free or low-cost support. Services include guidance on business planning, operations, finance, marketing, and accessing capital, as well as problem-solving assistance essential for business growth and expansion. 


LOCATE AN SBDC NEAR ME >

SCORE Mentors

SCORE is the nation’s largest network of expert business mentors and an official SBA resource partner, dedicated to helping entrepreneurs plan, manage, and grow their businesses through industry-specific insights and free one-on-one coaching.  


FIND MY MENTOR TODAY >

Governor’s Small Business Resource Portal

The Governor’s Small Business Resource Portal, administered by the Texas Economic Development & Tourism Office, provides Texas-specific resources to help you start or grow your business. These resources include funding opportunities, licensing and permitting guidance, and access to the Governor’s Small Business Assistance Team. 


ENTER THE PORTAL >

Fund Your Business

Startup

Established

Established

Microloan

  • Purchase working capital
  • Purchase furniture, fixtures, supplies, materials, equipment

Find a Microlender

Established

Established

Established

7(a) Loan

  • Acquire land and build or renovate a building
  • Purchase machinery, equipment, supplies, furniture, fixtures
  • Make lease-hold improvements, expand or renovate facilities
  • Purchase permanent working capital, inventory
  • Acquire a business or partial ownership in a business
  • Start a business
  • Refinance certain existing debt


504 Loan

  • Purchase or re

7(a) Loan

  • Acquire land and build or renovate a building
  • Purchase machinery, equipment, supplies, furniture, fixtures
  • Make lease-hold improvements, expand or renovate facilities
  • Purchase permanent working capital, inventory
  • Acquire a business or partial ownership in a business
  • Start a business
  • Refinance certain existing debt


504 Loan

  • Purchase or renovate capital assets (land, buildings, equipment)
  • Refinancing permitted

Find a Lender

Growing

Established

Growing

Small Business Investment Company (SBIC)

  •  SBICs invest in small businesses through debt, equity, or a combination of both. 
  • Debt is a loan an SBIC gives to a business, which the business must pay back, along with any interest. 
  • Equity is a share of ownership an SBIC gets in a business in exchange for providing funding. 
  • Sometimes, an SBIC invests in a business through both debt and equity.  

Find a SBIC

Small Business News and Notes

Events

02/25/2026 - 02/27/2026

Texas Economic Development Council (TEDC)

All Day Event

Hotel Paso Del Norte

Event Details

02/25/2026 - 02/27/2026

Texas Economic Development Council (TEDC)

TEDC 2026 Winter Conference in El Paso


Registration Fees:

Registration: (Non-Member)

$500

Registration: (Member)

$425


Please join us for the TEDC’...

Event Details

All Day Event

Hotel Paso Del Norte

02/17/2026

South-West Small Business Development Center Network

10:00am (CT)

SBDC Austin Office

Event Details

02/17/2026

South-West Small Business Development Center Network

Texas Small Business Credit Initiative: A Lender's Guide to Program Participation 


Join us for an essential hybrid workshop where lenders wil...

Event Details

10:00am (CT)

SBDC Austin Office

Multiple Dates Available

Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts

Multiple Times Available

Multiple Locations

Event Details

Multiple Dates Available

Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts

Centralized Master Bidders List Webinars


Advantages of Being Registered on the CMBL: How to Modify/Maintain Your Profile


Want to do business w...

Event Details

Multiple Times Available

Multiple Locations

Multiple Dates Available

Texas Workforce Commission

Multiple Times Available

Multiple Locations

Event Details

Multiple Dates Available

Texas Workforce Commission

TWC’s Office of the Commissioner Representing Employers sponsors the Texas Conference for Employers, a series of employer seminars held each...

Event Details

Multiple Times Available

Multiple Locations

02/05/2026

SCORE - FOR THE LIFE OF YOUR BUSINESS

1:00pm - 2:00pm (ET)

Webinar

Event Details

02/05/2026

SCORE - FOR THE LIFE OF YOUR BUSINESS

How OB3 Impacts Your Taxes: Protect Your Business & Maximize Deductions 


The One Big Beautiful Bill (OB3) brings sweeping tax changes that co...

Event Details

1:00pm - 2:00pm (ET)

Webinar

More Events

Texas Microlenders & Investors


Microlender


  • PeopleFund | Texas Statewide | 512.472.8087

Small Business Investment Company (SBIC)


  • BBK Capital | Dallas, TX | 619.410.3334


  • Blue Sage Capital | Austin, TX | 512.536.1902


  • Bluestem | Houston, TX | 713.775.0450


  • Capital Southwest | Dallas, TX | 214.238.5700


  • Escalate Capital Partners | Austin, TX | 512.695.0546


  • Genesis Park | Houston, TX | 832.699.5237


  • IBC Funds | Dallas, TX | 214.722.6203


  • Providence Investment Partners | Dallas, TX | 214.912.0064


  • Valesco Industries | Dallas, TX | 214.880.8690

Other Helpful Links

Texas Business Licenses & Permits

Not finding what you're looking for?

Email us at sba@thecatholicactionnetwork.org or click the contact form button below to get in touch. 

Contact Form

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