Resources

The organizations that are listed here have expressed an intent to assist SBE or DVBE firms that are looking for support in developing and expanding their businesses in order to better position themselves to grow. The University does not endorse any of these organizations or firms.

Download the following information in PDF format.

Insurance and bonding

Assured Partners (for Insurance needs) Link

AssuredPartners specializes in product expertise and client industry to manage risks and resolve client issues quickly. Our teams are dedicated to delivering innovative insurance solutions to protect individuals, families, and businesses of all types and sizes.

Embrace Insure Link

Offers training for SBEs – awards bonding up to $1M. Embrace Partners (Embrace), founded in 2021, is a certified Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) specializing in (1) Wholesale Insurance Brokerage, (2) DE&I Consulting in the construction industry, and (3) Managing General Underwriting (MGU).

Merriwether & Williams Insurance Services Link

Offers customized insurance solutions to minimize risk, facilitate infrastructure development, and enable cost-effective project completion, we empower our clients to succeed and expand.

SBA Small Business Surety/Bonds program Link

FEDERAL

The Small Business Administration (SBA) guarantees bid, performance, and payment surety bonds issued by certain surety companies.

Small Business Loans

Heritage Bank of Commerce Link

Heritage Bank offers Small Business Administration (SBA) loans and helps tenured lending groups make the loan process easier for eligible businesses across California. One of the largest SBA Preferred Lenders in California, as well as a Preferred Lender for the USDA Business and Industry Division.

Princeton Credit Link

Princeton Credit, based in California and considered a small business, has been an approved lender to UC for over 20 years. Arranging financing of all types and amounts, from capital equipment, construction, real estate, software, and just about any use case for UC. Contact: Gordon Lee 310-367-0606; Gordon@PrincetonC.com.

Certification Assistance

BuildIT (AKA BuildOUT) Link

Provides services including training, insurance, bonding, and LGBTBE and SBE certification assistance. BuildIT is the world’s largest LGBTQ Industry Association dedicated to the sustainable growth of LGBTQ/Allied-owned and certified businesses.

Western Regional Minority Supplier Development Council (WRMSDC) Link

WRMSDC provides minority businesses with access to, buyers, bids, and contracts; Business events (expos, seminars, matchmakers); Education and training; and recognized ethnic minority business certification.

Networking/Support

California Asian Pacific Chamber of Commerce (CalAsian Chamber) Link

CalAsian Chamber identifies and addresses the most pressing challenges faced by small businesses across the state by mobilizing resources to their owners.

The California Black Small Business Association (CA BSBA) Link

CA BSBA supports the unique needs of independent contractors, micro-businesses, and emerging enterprises, recognizing that 96% of Black small businesses fall into the micro-business category.

California Hispanic Chambers of Commerce (CHCC) Link

CHCC and its 125+ Hispanic and diverse chambers and business association members represent the interests of over 950,000 Hispanic-owned businesses in California.

Veterans Business Outreach Center Link

FEDERAL

The Veterans Business Outreach Center (VBOC) program offers resources to veterans, service members, and military spouses who are interested in starting or growing a small business.

Education/Training

BuildIT (AKA BuildOUT) Link

Provides services including training, insurance, bonding, and LGBTBE and SBE certification assistance. BuildIT is the world’s largest LGBTQ Industry Association dedicated to the sustainable growth of LGBTQ/Allied-owned and certified businesses.

Construction Resource Center (CRC) Link

CRC provides an online and onsite educational platform available to assist contractors, tradespersons, and future construction professionals with solutions to challenges and existing processes that typically result in a loss of revenue, business, and/or career.

National Association of Minority Contractors (NAMC) Link

NAMC is the oldest minority construction trade association that assists members with building capacity by providing access to opportunity, advocacy, and contractor development training.

Norcal APEX-Accelerator (previously Norcal PTAC) Link

Norcal APEX Accelerator is a government-funded nonprofit formed to help small businesses find, bid on, and win contracts with federal, state, local, and tribal agencies. Their no-cost services include one-on-one counseling, custom bid matching, training, resources, and networking opportunities.

Sacramento Valley Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Link

SBDC provides free, confidential advising and resources to help small businesses in Sacramento, Sutter, Yolo, and Yuba Counties start, grow, and thrive, including access to capital, human resources, compliance, marketing, and accounting expertise.

SCORE (Small Business Mentors) Link

SCORE can help you start, grow, or successfully exit a business. Small business owners who receive three or more hours of mentoring report higher revenues and increased growth. 

Western Regional Minority Supplier Development Council (WRMSDC) Link

WRMSDC provides minority businesses with access to, buyers, bids, and contracts; Business events (expos, seminars, matchmakers); Education and training; and recognized ethnic minority business certification.

SBA Small Business Development Center

FEDERAL

SBA provides counseling and training for small businesses and aspiring entrepreneurs through a variety of partner organizations.