Business Development Center
One-stop advising, training and resources for small businesses and entrepreneurs: in Washington, DC, across the United States, in Africa and in any country that asks.
A university that helps main-street businesses grow
Small businesses carry local economies, yet many owners cannot easily find affordable, practical advice. Nation Builders University plans a Business Development Center that gives entrepreneurs and small business owners one place for consulting, training and resources. It starts with Washington, DC, serves businesses across the United States online, and can be requested by any state, city or country that wants a center of its own, built with its government and local partners.
The Center is separate from the Builders Foundry, which is for NBU students. The Center is for the wider community of business owners.
Where we plan to serve
- Washington, DC: in-person and online flagship
- Across the United States: online advising and training; state or city partners on request
- Africa, Asia, Latin America and other regions: by request from a government or partner, run with local organizations
No location outside Washington, DC is confirmed.
Our pledge to the ITU Partner2Connect Digital Coalition
Status: Not accepted at this stage
On 21 October 2026 Nation Builders University submitted a pledge (ID 7942) to the Partner2Connect (P2C) Digital Coalition, a platform run by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) where organizations make voluntary commitments on digital inclusion. On 2 November 2026 the P2C Secretariat replied that, because the Business Development Center is still in its planning phase, it could not accept the pledge at this stage, and that it would consider a new submission once the initiative is more developed and the necessary arrangements and resources are in place.
We accept that decision. We will keep preparing the Center and may submit a new pledge when those conditions are met.
What we plan to offer: free or low-cost online advising and training in digital skills, e-commerce, digital payments, responsible use of AI tools and marketing; an open playbook and curriculum; and support for partner-run pilot centers, subject to local law and co-funding.
What this means
- NBU's pledge is not published on the P2C platform.
- NBU has no endorsement, approval or partnership from ITU or the United Nations.
- The Center is planned and has not opened. No funding is confirmed. Funding is reported only when agreed in writing.
Free online digital-skills starter program
Planned: not yet launched
From 1 January 2027 NBU plans to offer a free, self-paced online course for small-business owners and entrepreneurs on digital skills, e-commerce, digital payments, record keeping and responsible use of AI tools. It is delivered through the NBU ONE learning portal, which includes a 25-language selector and the NIA assistant.
Targets for 2027: 300 small-business owners enrolled, 150 completing the course, at least half of them women. NBU plans to publish a yearly public report on enrollments, completions, the share of women and self-reported results.
Please note
- These are targets, not results. No one has completed the course yet.
- The program is non-credit and is not a degree program.
- No funding is confirmed. NBU has no approval or endorsement from ITU, the United Nations or any government.
One place for what a small business needs
One-on-one advising
Confidential sessions with a business advisor to review your plan, sales, costs and next steps.
Training and cohorts
Practical workshops and multi-week cohorts on starting, running and growing a business.
Business plans and numbers
Help with a plan, pricing, cash flow, simple financial projections and record keeping.
Market research
Customer and competitor research supported by NBU's Research section and digital library.
Access to capital readiness
How loans, grants and investors work, and how to prepare. NBU does not lend money or promise funding.
Government contracting readiness
The basics of registering, finding opportunities and bidding for public contracts, including SAM.gov in the U.S.
Trade and export
Understanding new markets, shipping, customs basics and selling across borders.
Digital and AI tools
Online shops, payments, social selling, and responsible use of AI tools.
Compliance basics
Registering a business, taxes, licenses, contracts and protecting your name. Rules differ by place; this is education, not legal advice.
Planned tracks include women-owned, youth, veteran, immigrant-owned and social-impact businesses. Eligibility and any fees will be published before the Center opens.
From request to results in five steps
Send a request
Tell us about your business and what you need.
Intake and matching
We match you to an advisor, a training cohort or both.
Advising plan
You agree on goals and next steps in writing.
Train and build
Join workshops, work with mentors and use the resource library.
Follow up
Check-ins measure what changed and what you need next.
Request business advising
Registering is free and does not guarantee a place. We will contact you when the Center opens in your area, or if we need more detail.
Bring the Center to your state, city or country
The Center is designed to be requested. A state, city, ministry, university, chamber of commerce, development agency or NGO can ask NBU to help set up a Business Development Center for its own community.
What NBU plans to bring
- A tested advising playbook and training curriculum
- Training for local advisors and mentors
- Online platform and resources, including the digital library
- Reporting on agreed indicators
- Connections to NBU's volunteer mentors and partners
What the partner brings
- Local leadership and legal authority to operate
- A host organization, venue or connectivity
- Compliance with local law, taxes and data rules
- Co-funding or in-kind support
- Local languages and community trust
Request
Send the form below.
Feasibility call
We discuss needs, scope and legal limits.
Written agreement
A memorandum of understanding signed by both sides.
Pilot
A small first cohort with agreed targets.
Review and grow
Results are shared and the Center is adjusted or expanded.
Nothing is agreed until both sides sign in writing, and NBU can only operate in a place where the law and its resources allow. See Government & Funding Partnerships.
Government and partner request
Results we plan to report
- Businesses advised and trained
- Share of women, young people and first-time founders
- Businesses started, registered or formalized (self-reported)
- Jobs supported and changes in sales (self-reported)
- Client satisfaction and what to improve
No result has been achieved yet because the Center has not opened.
Be careful of scams
NBU will never ask you to pay to be selected, to receive a grant or to "unlock" funding. Official NBU messages come only from @nationbuilderuniversity.com. If someone promises a grant, a loan, a visa or a job in the name of NBU, write to info@nationbuilderuniversity.com.
Advising is planned to be free or low-cost in funded programs. No fee has been set.
Questions? We are glad to help.
Call (771) 241-9259 or write to info@nationbuilderuniversity.com. Tell us about your goals and we will point you to the right next step.