Small Business Administration

Small Business Administration (SBA), U.S. federal agency that aids small businesses and assists in economic recovery following disasters. The Small Business Administration (SBA) provides support to prospective entrepreneurs, new start-up businesses, and existing small businesses through a variety of programs and with partner organizations. The SBA was established in 1953 by the Small Business Act.

The SBA developed standards by industry type that define the maximum size that a firm, including all affiliates, must be to maintain eligibility as a small business entity for SBA programs. The two most widely used standards are number of employees (e.g., for most manufacturing and mining industries) and average annual receipts (e.g., for most non-manufacturing industries).

The SBA offers multiple different loan programs, including general small business loans, real estate and equipment loans, and disaster loans. The organization also provides technical assistance, with services in personal business counseling and training, and assists small businesses by helping them gain access to the federal procurement system, in which the federal government awards part of its purchases to small businesses.