Free small business help in South Carolina
10 office and chapter listings serving South Carolina. Choose an office below and confirm its service area before making an appointment.
Ask for free counseling or mentoring. Some workshops and other services have fees; confirm the cost before registering.
Sources reviewed .
Small Business Development Centers
Small Business Development Centers help owners start, manage and grow businesses, including business planning and financing questions. State and regional network offices can connect you with a local adviser.
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South Carolina SBDC
Columbia, South Carolina
State or regional network office
SCORE mentors
SCORE connects small business owners with volunteer mentors for advice on starting and running a business. Mentoring is available online as well as through local chapters.
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SCORE Greater Aiken
Aiken, South Carolina
Service area: Serving Aiken, Augusta & the Central Savannah River Area (CSRA)
Listed by SCORE chapter directory , SCORE SC chapter directory
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SCORE Midlands
Columbia, South Carolina
Service area: Serving the South Carolina Midlands
Listed by SCORE chapter directory , SCORE SC chapter directory
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SCORE Piedmont
Greenville, South Carolina
Service area: Serving Upstate South Carolina & the Western Piedmont
Listed by SCORE chapter directory , SCORE SC chapter directory
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SCORE SC Lowcountry
Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Service area: Serving South Carolina’s Lowcountry and Coastal Communities
Listed by SCORE chapter directory , SCORE SC chapter directory
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SCORE Grand Strand
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
Service area: Serving Myrtle Beach, Conway, Florence, Georgetown, and communities across the Grand Strand and surrounding counties
Listed by SCORE chapter directory , SCORE SC chapter directory
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SCORE Charleston SC
North Charleston, South Carolina
Service area: Serving Charleston, North Charleston, Mount Pleasant & the Lowcountry
Listed by SCORE chapter directory , SCORE SC chapter directory
Women’s Business Centers
Women’s Business Centers provide business advice and training, with a focus on women starting or growing businesses. Ask about business plans, financing and local programs.
No individual office is recorded here yet. Use the official locator below to find the center serving your city or county.
Veterans Business Outreach Centers
VBOCs offer business counseling, training and referrals for veterans, service members, National Guard and Reserve members, and military spouses. Many centers serve several states.
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South Carolina Veterans Business Outreach Center
Charleston, South Carolina
Service area: South Carolina
Listed by SBA Resource Partners and VBOC directory
APEX Accelerators (formerly PTACs)
APEX Accelerators help businesses pursue government contracts, including registrations, finding opportunities and preparing bids. Native American APEX programs focus on Native-owned businesses.
No individual office is recorded here yet. Use the official locator below to find the center serving your city or county.
SBA district offices
SBA district offices explain SBA programs and connect businesses with local counseling partners, lenders and other assistance. Contact the office serving your county.
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SBA South Carolina District Office
Columbia, South Carolina
Listed by SBA district office directory , SBA South Carolina District
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SBA South Carolina District Office
Duncan, South Carolina
Listed by SBA district office directory , SBA South Carolina District
Get free help applying
Ask whether the center can help with your application, business plan or financial projections. APEX Accelerators focus on government contracts. Services depend on your business and the center’s service area.
These listings come from official directories and organization websites. SBDC entries include state and regional network offices. Women’s Business Center and APEX office listings are a selection; use the official locators for additional offices. Confirm contact details and county coverage before visiting.