A framework that small businesses can follow to enhance security by implementing industry-standard cybersecurity best practices. CIS also offers a self-assessment tool to help businesses measure their cybersecurity posture.

A foundational set of cybersecurity controls specifically designed for small and medium-sized businesses to protect against common cyber threats.

A free online tool that helps small businesses assess their cybersecurity maturity and identify areas for improvement.

Provides a range of free cybersecurity tools, assessments, and vulnerability scanning services for small businesses.

Provides real-time threat alerts, mitigation strategies, and cybersecurity guidance for small businesses to enhance resilience against cyber threats.

A free service that helps small businesses detect security flaws in their networks and systems. This tool assists in mitigating potential cyber risks before they can be exploited.

Provides resources and tools to help small and medium-sized businesses improve their cybersecurity posture. It offers practical guidance, best practices, and training materials designed to enhance cyber readiness and resilience.

A guide that offers essential tips on password security, multi-factor authentication, data protection, and phishing prevention. It includes risk assessment tools, employee training recommendations, and links to government resources to help small businesses strengthen their cybersecurity.

A practical guide covering key cybersecurity best practices for small businesses, including phishing prevention, password management, and network security.

A nonprofit organization offering free cybersecurity toolkits designed specifically for small businesses. The GCA toolkit includes resources for email security, DNS protection, and multi-factor authentication.

A tool that helps businesses identify vulnerabilities in their web applications and cloud environments, ensuring proactive security measures are in place.

A security approach that helps businesses mitigate risks by verifying all users and devices before granting access, reducing the risk of insider threats and credential-based attacks.

A guide, developed by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), is specifically tailored for small businesses to help them implement the NIST Cybersecurity Framework. It provides a concise overview of the framework and practical steps that small businesses can take to improve their cybersecurity posture effectively.

Offers guidelines tailored for small businesses to improve their cybersecurity resilience. NIST provides frameworks that businesses can follow to establish security controls.

A resource that offers cybersecurity guidelines, best practices, and collaboration opportunities for businesses to strengthen their security defenses.

Provides guidance on preventing and responding to data breaches for small businesses. Includes legal frameworks and best practices for compliance with Ohio’s cybersecurity laws.

A program designed to help small businesses in Ohio implement essential cybersecurity practices and improve their security posture. It provides tools, training, and assessments tailored for small enterprises.

This refers to the Protected Critical Infrastructure Information (PCII) handled by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to safeguard sensitive information related to critical infrastructure.

An initiative by the National Cyber Security Alliance (NCSA) aimed at providing individuals, businesses, and communities with resources and tools to stay safe and secure online. It offers tips, educational materials, and resources for enhancing cybersecurity awareness and practices.

The Technology Incubator is our signature program for growing startups developing a proprietary technology product or service, that also need space, support, and access to expertise and mentors.

The SBDC provides low to no-cost one-on-one counseling that is, confidential and in-depth for businesses that will or currently employee under 500 employees.

Cleveland Chain Reaction is on a mission to create jobs, investment and prosperity in Greater Cleveland while providing education and information for entrepreneurs and aspiring business owners to benefit our community. The first-place winner receives a $40K grant, second-place wins a $20K grant and third-place wins $10K.

GEIR provides a unique opportunity for international entrepreneurs to start and grow their business in Northeast Ohio, all while receiving access to valuable resources and a cap-exempt H1-B visa.

Taking businesses from the initial ideation stage through a comprehensive business assessment while providing one-on-one counseling, this process involves crafting a clear roadmap to ensure sustainable growth and long-term success.

SCORE Cleveland offers seasoned business professionals who provide you with useful, timely, and realistic guidance at no cost. Browse mentor profiles to find your ideal expert or ask a question and let us pair you with the right expert.

The Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at the Urban League of Greater Cleveland provides no-cost business counseling and assistance to individuals who are either starting or growing a business.

"Free support for all entrepreneurs (mentoring, training, and more) Paid membership options with additional services for varying sizes of businesses and budgets.

"Specializing in: business plan development, market research, exporting assistance, social media, outreach strategies, financing options, loan structuring, cash flow analysis, financial projections.

We help manufacturers to identify the right audiences, understand their behaviors and intentions, engage with them in a compelling way and nurture them along their buyer journey.

Services include: Market Feasibility & Research, Marketing Strategy Development, Analyze Statistical & Demographic Data, Marketing & Promotional Strategies, Creation & Development of Website & Social Media Content.

Helps to address more than 50% of the top challenges of Black-owned small businesses by providing services in areas such as: Marketing, PR/Media Relations, Social Media Marketing, Coaching/Business Development, Human Resource Management and more.

The SBDC is staffed with highly-trained, Certified Business Advisors to help small businesses and entrepreneurs with development and growth to increase sales and create jobs in their communities.

Tech startups can take advantage of fee-for-service operational support. Whether you’re looking to build your reputation, drive engagement or create impactful campaigns, they offer strategic solutions tailored to your unique goals and challenges.

CWA serves as a connector and hub: providing quality data, meaningful connections, powerful solutions, valuable investment, and rich opportunities to those who use, manage, and monitor our planet’s most precious asset.

Small business pitch competition connects entrepreneurs to capital and mentors and places new businesses in Cleveland neighborhoods to create jobs and build prosperity. The first-place winner receives a $40K grant, second-place wins a $20K grant and third-place wins $10K. Cleveland Chain Reaction is produced by COSE in collaboration with FOX 8 News in the Morning’s “Kickin’ it with Kenny.”

Partners with the Ohio Minority Business Assistance Center Network to provide legal, accounting, and financial advisory services to very small and historically under-resourced businesses across the state. Technical assistance providers prepare businesses to apply for financial assistance from state and/or federal small business programs and traditional bank financing.

"Gain access to workshops, online resources, professional networks, one-on-one mentoring, advice, connections, and more. General Entrepreneurship Membership Offerings:​ Small business loan peparation and assistance, weekly classes and workshops, one-on-one consultations with our business coaches.

Offering the trade expertise to assist with exporting; guidance and tips on how to grow your business & export successfully.

Provides help with SBA services including funding programs, counseling, federal contracting certifications, and disaster recovery.

Offers seasoned business professionals who provide you with useful, timely, and realistic guidance at no cost.

Unlocks greater business opportunity and growth for African American Businesses. The Business Solutions Suite fills a critical gap in the entrepreneurial ecosystem by providing direct tangible services not only for scalability but for long-term sustainability.

The Entrepreneurship Center at the Urban League of Greater Cleveland houses a Small Business Development Center (SBDC), a Minority Business Assistance Center (MBAC) and UBIZ Venture Capial (UVC).

Helps match Ohio businesses with contract opportunities, help them prepare bids, navigate requirements, and assist them after winning contracts, at no-cost.

Provides resources to small business owners, particularly minority and women owners, in Glenville, Hough, and St Clair - Superior neighborhoods of Cleveland. Provides small businesses in our communities by connecting them with resources and incentives such as: Grant & Loan Application and Research Assistance, coaching, workshops, mentoring, access to capital and marketing.

Provides technical assistance and training in one-on-one advising sessions, small group training, and specialized cohort-based programming. Assists entrepreneurs from all walks of life-Hispanic or not.

Provides low to no-cost one-on-one counseling that is, confidential and in-depth for businesses that will or currently employee under 500 employees.

If your company has existed for two or more years, employs two people (including the owner) and has revenue of $75,000 or more, you may qualify for this no-cost program. Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses (10KSB) is a $750 million investment to help entrepreneurs create jobs and economic opportunity by providing them greater access to education, financial capital, and business support services.

A dynamic organization with three decades of experience in leveraging collaboration. Facilitates efforts to grow your aerospace business, connect with experts, and develop your workforce.

Ohio MBDA Business Center services include: mergers & acquisitions, joint ventures, organization and structure, consulting, capital sourcing, contract opportunity sourcing, business match-making, and access to new markets.

Helps businesses become state-certified in four different programs: Women Business Enterprises (WBE), Veteren-Friendly Business Enterprises (VFBE), Encouraging Diversity Growth and Equity (EDGE), and Minority Business Enterprises (MBE). Apply for one or all of our certifications through the Ohio Business Gateway website.

The Mayor’s Office of Equal Opportunity (OEO) is responsible for the administration, monitoring, and enforcement of the City’s minority and female-owned business programs. The OEO also oversees new programs that support smaller, local businesses, along with the Fannie M. Lewis Cleveland Resident Employment Law programs; and prevailing wage compliance.

The Office of Small Business serves the needs of all small businesses by providing: Access to funding opportunities, technical and personalized assistance, guidance to navigate the internal departments of the county, and organizational support for your small business.

One of 23 affiliates of the National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC), a nonprofit corporate membership organization that advances business opportunities for its certified Asian, Black, Hispanic and Native American business enterprises and connects them to its corporate members.

Tier 1 Minority Business Assistance Center-NEOHCED provides essential support to entrepreneurs in the ideation and startup phases, with a particular focus on Minority, Women, Veteran and EDGE-owned businesses. Wide range of bilingual technical services includes business planning assistance, access to capital, and guidance on the referral process to Tier 2 for state certification assistance—all offered at no cost to clients.

The Minority Business Assistance Centers (MBAC) provide MBE and EDGE entrepreneurs with management, technical, financial and contract procurement assistance in addition to loan and bond packaging services. The services are available without cost to businesses located throughout Ohio. The center provides important services including technical assistance, professional consulting, access to capital and assistance obtaining contract opportunities.

ECDI Women's Business Centers provide the resources you need to take your company – and yourself – to the next level.

"The most widely recognized and respected national certification for women-owned businesses in the U.S. Through certification, women-owned businesses gain access to a vast network of support, including targeted business opportunities for certified women-owned firms, increased visibility in corporate and government supply chains, education and development programs to spur growth and increase capacity, and networking and mentorship opportunities with thousands of women entrepreneurs and those who support them. WBENC is also an approved third-party certifier for the SBA’s Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB) Federal Contracting Program."