Lending a Hand to the Region’s Small Business Owners

In fiscal year 2023, Pitt’s Institute for Entrepreneurial Excellence (IEE) continued to support entrepreneurs and small business owners, providing assistance to more than 1,400 businesses in southwestern Pennsylvania, and helping launch nearly 60 new businesses. 

The IEE and its Small Business Development Center (SBDC) held several specialized events to connect underrepresented-, women-, and veteran-owned businesses to regional contracting opportunities, and hosted more than 70 events for small business leaders, from start-up education to advanced topics. IEE’s Entrepreneurial Fellows Class, which provides CEOs, founders, and the next generation of family business leaders training to enhance their knowledge and expertise in managing and growing their businesses, also graduated more than 30 participants in December 2022. Additionally, its Urban & Community Entrepreneurship Program had nearly 30 underrepresented small business owners complete its six-month training program.

In recognition of IEE’s mission to provide small business owners and entrepreneurs with the education and tools necessary to thrive, SBDC was honored as the Export-Import Bank of the United States Regional Export Promotion Program Member of the Year.