The City of Austin Economic Development Department invites Austin business owners to apply for the Small Business Resiliency Program. This intensive 12-week training program is designed to support small business owners that were operating successfully prior to the pandemic in Austin’s highly impacted industries. The Small Business Resiliency Program offers coaching, access to professional experts, peer support, resiliency planning, and additional resources.

The Small Business Resiliency Program offers a unique opportunity for Austin business owners to not only receive expert support and guidance but also connect with peers to help navigate the current landscape.

Up to 25 business owners will be selected to participate in the program. Sessions will run weekly from July 12 through September 27 on Wednesday evenings. Participants will meet in person for lectures, expert training, and peer activities. The program ends with a final presentation of their resiliency plans to the cohort and invited guests.

Selected applicants will be required to pay a non-refundable and non-transferrable $300 tuition fee. Eligible businesses must be located in the Austin-Round Rock Metropolitan Statistical Area—which includes Bastrop, Caldwell, Hays, Travis, and Williamson counties—and not currently planning to sell or exit the business within 3 years of program-end.

Read the full eligibility guidelines and apply online at the Small Business Resiliency Program webpage.

For application assistance, email the Austin Revitalization Authority at bdavidson@austinrev.org. For assistance related to program guidelines, email the Small Business Division at smallbiz@austintexas.gov or call 512-974-7800.

Application Opens

Monday, April 24 at 10 a.m.

Application Closes

Monday, May 22 at 5 p.m.

Small Business Resiliency Program Timeline

• June 23, 2023: Participant Selection and Notification
• June 30, 2023: Program Commitment and Tuition Fee Due
• July 12, 2023: Weekly Classes Begin
• September 27, 2023: Final Presentations and Program Ends