Start a Business

Visit SCORE website.

The South East Indiana SCORE Chapter, located at the Chamber of Commerce office exists to help small businesses start and grow in the southeast Indiana area. It offers free, confidential business advice to both existing and new business start-ups.

The Columbus SCORE chapter is consists of more than 20 qualified counselors with a wealth of experience from a wide range of business and management backgrounds, who offer our counseling services and educational products at no charge to the public.

Its members are dedicated to providing you with convenient scheduling, tailored to your unique needs, in face-to-face counseling sessions wherein we answer your questions and help you develop or improve a plan for your business success.  You may sign up for your free, confidential session by choosing one of the below options:

Visit the office at the Columbus Chamber of Commerce, 500 Franklin St, Columbus, Indiana: across from the Visitor's Center.

Call 812-379-4457 or register to meet online.

SCORE also offers a series of online webinars that can be found HERE. 

Visit our website

The Indiana Small Business Development Center (Indiana SBDC) was created to have a positive and measurable impact on the formation, growth, and sustainability of small businesses in Indiana, and to help Hoosier Entrepreneurs start stronger, grow faster, and work smarter.

The Columbus Chamber is host to the Business Advisor for Southeast Indiana Small Business Development center covering Bartholomew, Jennings, and Jackson Counties.

Visit Greater Columbus Economic Development Corporation website.

The Greater Columbus Economic Development Corporation exists to grow the local economy.

Its strategic goal is to grow and attract well-paying, high value-added, community-minded base/primary businesses by influencing and leveraging the area's distinct capabilities in advanced manufacturing, Science Technology Engineering & Math (STEM) education resources, and design.

Its mission is to build a world-class community by enhancing the quality of life, economic opportunity and personal well-being of our citizens.

Visit our website.

The Columbus Chamber of Commerce and The Mill in Bloomington have joined with Elevate Ventures to form Velocities-a partnership that provides a wealth of resources to entrepreneurs and early-stage companies.

Starting and growing a business takes more than passion. It takes the support and resources that two of Indiana's most inspiring and vibrant cities can offer. Let passion fuel your dreams. The partners of Velocities can provide early-stage funding, marketing support, business coaching, and professional resources to accelerate your success.