According to the Charlotte Business Journal, the SBA’s venture capital program has given out more than $2 billion in financing in 2010. It has helped over 1,300 small businesses.
That’s a 10% increase for Small Business Investment Companies from the previous year. The SBA’s fiscal year ended Sept. 30.
SBICs are privately owned and managed VC firms licensed by the SBA. They raise their own money but also leverage financing provided by the SBA. They invest in small companies, filling gaps for smaller VC investments, and in industries and geographic areas often neglected by other venture capital firms.
Photo by Andrew Magill