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Annual Report 24-25

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Profile: Small Business Development Center

The Orange County Inland Empire Small Business Development Center Network (OCIE SBDC) consists of over 150 staff and consultants, including current and former business owners, attorneys, angel investors, procurement specialists, bankers, marketers, web designers, CPAs, and student interns. The OCIE SBDC is one of the 13 College of Business Center’s of Excellence and focuses on supporting the community through small business support. Since 2003, California State University, Fullerton (host of the OCIE SBDC Network) has provided no-cost, personalized consulting, comprehensive training programs, resource access, and both in-person and virtual events to support small businesses across Orange, Riverside, and San Bernardino counties.

The OCIE SBDC program is funded in part by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), the California Governor’s Office of the Small Business Advocate (CalOSBA)/Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz), and local partners. This funding allows the OCIE SBDC program to offer one-on-one consulting, workshops, and programs at no cost—with the goal of helping businesses start, grow, and thrive (no hidden fees, no catch). To serve the region’s diverse population effectively, the team offers multilingual services in more than 20 languages, including Arabic, Mandarin, Spanish, and Vietnamese.

grand opening of business

Visit Small Business Development Center

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2024-2025 Impacts at a Glance

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15,000+
small business owners and entrepreneurs supported

676
new businesses launched

$140M+
in debt and equity capital accessed

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$270M+
in revenue growth facilitated

42,754
hours of one-on-one consulting

677
training events hosted

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“The Cal State Fullerton College of Business and Economics is proud to serve as the host for the Orange County Inland Empire Small Business Development Center. The OCIE SBDC serves small businesses that are central to the SoCal economy through various programs that are free for these businesses. Their economic and social impact is truly measured by the number of lives they change in the region.”

-Sridhar Sundaram, PhD
Dean, College of Business and Economics

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“The Orange County Inland Empire SBDC has continued to grow and expand its impact, providing vital support to our local small business communities. Each year, the work we accomplish directly strengthens the neighborhoods where we live and work. As a driving force in regional economic development, the OCIE SBDC remains committed to advocating for, empowering, and partnering with small business owners to help them grow, scale, and thrive well into the future.”

Mike Daniel

Regional Director, OCIE SBDC Network

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Key Highlights

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Trade Mission to Vietnam

In March 2025, the OCIE SBDC led a trade mission to Vietnam, connecting local businesses with international partners through strategic meetings, site tours, and cultural experiences. The trip opened doors to Vietnam’s dynamic market and laid the groundwork for future global growth. Read the full story.

America's SBDC AI U

The OCIE SBDC has received funding from Google.org to establish America’s SBDC AI U, a national small business program dedicated to providing foundational AI training and 1:1 coaching to small businesses seeking to leverage AI’s potential. Through AI Clinics, the OCIE SBDC will create opportunities to train and offer AI and digital technology resources to over 10,000 clients.

Orange County In-Home Licensed Childcare Program

In-home licensed childcare providers are essential to Orange County, offering safe, flexible, and personalized care that supports early childhood development within local communities. The Orange County In-Home Licensed Childcare Program—a collaborative effort between the Orange County Women’s Business Center (OC WBC), Orange County Inland Empire Small Business Development Center (OCIE SBDC), First 5 Orange County, Help Me Grow Orange County, Children’s Home Society of California, Orange County Association for the Education of Young Children, Quality Start OC, and CIELO—equips these providers with training, one-on-one consulting, and peer support to help them sustain and grow their businesses. Participants receive individualized guidance to develop business plans and overcome challenges, while graduates who complete the program are awarded an up to $5,000 stipend to support their home-based childcare ventures. This program addresses the rising demand for quality childcare and strengthens the foundation for children’s future success. To date, six cohorts have been completed and more than 150 people have graduated from the program, many of whom have started a successful childcare business.

People Reached (Who We Support)

The OCIE SBDC program is deeply committed to supporting both current and aspiring business owners by providing the consulting, training, and resources they need to successfully start and grow their businesses. Many of our clients run small businesses with 1 to 10 employees and annual sales between $100,000 and $1,000,000, and about half are entrepreneurs just beginning their journey. We’re proud that 65% of the clients we serve are women, minorities, and people of color, reflecting our dedication to empowering diverse communities. Our program also offers valuable opportunities for over 20 part-time CSUF students, who contribute to market research, marketing efforts, grant management, and more—gaining hands-on experience while helping strengthen our community of entrepreneurs.

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Small Business Development Center in Action

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