We all know and love the big business hubs across the country, but a host of small and midsize cities are unexpectedly wonderful for entrepreneurship. Sometimes being a big fish in a small pond, or at least a medium fish in a medium pond can have robust benefits. Those might include less competition for resources, more personal attention and other perks that smaller cities are better equipped to offer entrepreneurs and small business dreamers.
Ames, Iowa Home of Iowa State University, Ames offers entrepreneurs a wealth of resources in the community to tap, including ISU’s Pappajohn Center for Entrepreneurship and ISU’s Startup Factory, a 52-week intensive program. You can find even more resources in Ames, like its own seed capital fund, here.
Chattanooga, Tenn. A gorgeous river and mountain community, Chattanooga punches above its weight when it comes to supporting entrepreneurs. It’s home to the third-largest business incubator in the country and the largest in Tennessee. This incubator can support about 50 businesses at a time and puts each through a three-year development program that includes affordable space, and 92% of program graduates are still in business five years later.
Fargo, N.D. Through the Fargo, Moorhead, and West Fargo Chamber of Commerce, small-business owners have access to resources like business training workshops and programs like the PUSH program, which helps women entrepreneurs build a support system through professional development and mentoring.
Tulsa, Okla. As the home of Black Wall Street, entrepreneurship is built into the fabric of Tulsa. Through resources and programs like the Carmela Hill Legacy Fund, entrepreneurs and small-business owners in the Tulsa area have access to grants and funding for their businesses. ACT Tulsa, a 5-month accelerator program, specifically offers a $70,000 investment and mentorship for Black and Brown founders.