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Eligibility policy

Join the Start Small community today for access to pro bono lawyers and financial consultants. Whether you're seeking a review of a contract or need support reconciling overdue financial records, Start Small is here to help. Eligible small business owners get access to one-on-one support from legal and financial experts prepared to offer tailored support to your specific needs and goals.

If you have any questions, you can email us at hello@startsmallthinkbig.org

Start Small Think Big, Inc. is dedicated to partnering with individuals who share our values of diversity, equity, integrity, acceptance, and inclusion. We welcome business owners who, like us, accept customers, clients, and employees of all identities.

Entrepreneurs we serve

Our clients come from different backgrounds, cultures, or demographics and operate businesses across multiple industries and sectors. We welcome entrepreneurs from communities of color and immigrant communities, the LGBTQIA+ community, justice-impacted individuals, veterans, people with disabilities, low-income individuals and women.

If you have a business that meets the requirements below but your income and assets don’t allow you to hire the professionals you need to grow your business, we want to work with you.

Eligibility

  • Total household income must fall below 750% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines (dependent on household size)
  • Total household assets should fall below $100K
    • Assets include savings, checking, business accounts, investment accounts, grants and investment capital, and secondary properties for all household members.
    • Assets do not include your primary residence or 401K, or loan capital that has to be repaid.
  • Businesses that are currently operating and selling goods/services that are able to demonstrate at least $500 in recurring sales over the past 3 months.
  • Businesses must have less than $1M in revenues over the past year.
  • Identify as a member of one of the communities listed above.
  • At this time, we are not equipped to support:
    • Non-profit organizations
    • Businesses located outside of the United States
    • Residential or commercial real estate businesses, including landlords
    • Financial services businesses that directly handle, invest, manage, or have access to a client's finances or assets
    • Multi-level marketing (MLM) businesses
    • Franchisees of large corporate entities
    • Co-ops with over 5 business partners (Note: services may be available on a case-by-case basis)
    • Businesses that raise FDA, ethical, or other concerns
    • Marijuana-based or marijuana-tangential businesses

Income & assets

Total household income must be less than 750% FPG based on household size.

HH Size750%
1$119,700
2$162,300
3$204,900
4$247,500
5$290,100
6$332,700
7$375,300
8$417,900
9$460,500
10$503,100
11$545,700
12$588,300
13$630,900
14$673,500

Figures are 750% of the 2026 HHS poverty guidelines for the 48 contiguous states and the District of Columbia. Source: HHS poverty guidelines.

Total household assets should fall below $100K:

  • Note: Assets include savings, checking, business accounts, investment accounts, grants and investment capital, and secondary properties for all household members.
  • Note: Assets do not include your primary residence or 401K, or loan capital that has to be repaid.

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