We advance equity and inclusion in entrepreneurship by connecting small businesses with the resources and community they need to grow.
-
Mission
Start Small Think Big is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting small businesses by connecting entrepreneurs—especially those with limited access to capital and institutional support—with the professional resources and community they need to thrive. We believe that everyone deserves the opportunity to start and grow a business, and we're here to help make that possible.
-
Our History
Our founder, Jenny DaSilva, knew firsthand how daunting entrepreneurship could be, especially for those without access to the necessary resources. She decided to use her legal training to make it easier for others to forge their own path. Start Small Think Big launched in the Bronx, New York, with a small network of legal experts offering free services to help local entrepreneurs build sustainable businesses.
From 2012 to 2016, Start Small’s work grew across all five NYC boroughs. We expanded access to legal services, refined our model, and hired our first full-time staff member. As we listened to the needs of the entrepreneurs we served, we realized that legal support was just one part of the equation. Financial projections, bookkeeping, and pricing strategy were just as essential—so we created a Finance Program.
In 2017, we went bi-coastal, opening offices in Oakland and San Jose, California. This marked a turning point: we were no longer a local solution to a local problem, we were becoming a national force for inclusive entrepreneurship.
Since then, we’ve provided millions of dollars in free services to tens of thousands of entrepreneurs, powered by a belief that entrepreneurs can thrive when they’re equipped with the right tools and support.
-
Our Future
We believe there’s no single path to growth.
For some entrepreneurs, it looks like opening a storefront. For others, it means staying small but earning more. And sometimes, it’s about reclaiming time, building community wealth, or hiring locally. Our future is about meeting these dreams with the resources, tools, and community needed to make them real.
Our work remains focused on increasing the growth of small business ownership and connecting small business owners with expert guidance—at no cost to them—so they can build a business on their own terms.
As we look ahead, we’re focused on deepening and broadening our impact in collaboration with the entrepreneurs and organizations we partner with in the following ways:
Increase the number of entrepreneurs served annually to 5,000+
Grow our volunteer network to 4,000+ active professionals in law, finance, and business strategy
Expand legal services to additional states through partnership with regional pro bono attorney networks
Grow our national digital platform to match entrepreneurs with expert volunteers based on need, language, and business stage
Partner with 1,000 corporations and community organizations nationwide to scale skill-based volunteering and local economic impact