Expert Business & Workforce Advising at No Cost

Running or growing a business in Los Gatos? Two SBA Resource Partners—SCORE Silicon Valley and the Silicon Valley Small Business Development Center (SBDC)—plus Work2Future, the U.S. Department of Labor–funded Workforce Development Board, provide no-cost, confidential one-on-one advising. These organizations also offer free workshops (with only occasional nominal fees) covering planning, finance, marketing, capital access, and workforce development.

Each organization excels in a different discipline—strategy, capital, or talent—so many firms use more than one to build a complete support network.

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SCORE Silicon Valley

Relationship-Based Mentoring

SCORE pairs entrepreneurs with seasoned volunteer mentors—retired or active executives and founders—who share real-world experience across 60 + industries, including the tech, retail, food, and professional-services sectors common in Los Gatos. Meetings can be in person or virtual and can continue for as long as you need a trusted sounding board.

Best Use Cases:

• Test a new idea
• Write or refine a business plan
• Troubleshoot strategic pivots
• Stay accountable to goals month after month

What You Receive:

• Confidential 1-on-1 mentoring (in person or virtual)
• Proven plan & cash-flow templates Live and on-demand workshops

Synergy with Partner Programs: Keep a SCORE mentor for big-picture guidance, then bring in SBDC for capital tasks or Work2Future for staffing needs.

Learn more »

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Small Business Development Center (SBDC)

Capital-Focused Advising

Hosted by San José State University, the Silicon Valley SBDC fields paid advisors—CPAs, MBAs, former bankers, and seasoned experts—who roll up their sleeves to prepare local businesses for bank loans, investor capital, or government grants. They also help firms smooth operational hurdles and seize new market opportunities.

Best Use Cases:

• Tune budgets & cash-flow forecasts before lender meetings
• Resolve HR, licensing, or permit issues
• Pursue government contracts or new markets
• Launch tech products via growth cohorts

What You Receive:

• Confidential sessions with CPAs, MBAs & former bankers
• Introductions to a broad lender / investor network
• Targeted workshops—all free of charge

Synergy with Partner Programs: Use SBDC for loans, grants, and compliance while your SCORE mentor steers overall strategy; once funding is secured, Work2Future helps hire and train the right team.

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Work2Future

Workforce Funding & Recruitment

The Workforce Development Board for central and southern Santa Clara County, Work2Future connects employers to qualified candidates and offsets training costs. Through On-the-Job Training (OJT), Work Experience (WEX), and Incumbent Worker programs, it can reimburse up to 50% of new-hire wages during training and provide rapid-response services to avert layoffs.

Best Use Cases:

• Fill hard-to-staff roles
• Upskill current employees
• Avoid layoffs with rapid-response support
• Navigate tax credits and HR resources

What You Receive:

• No-cost recruitment assistance & candidate screening
• Customized OJT contracts and wage reimbursements
• Local labor-market data and WIOA incentive guidance

Synergy with Partner Programs: After SCORE refines strategy and SBDC secures capital, Work2Future supplies the subsidized talent and training dollars to execute your growth plan.

Learn more »