10,000 Small Businesses

10,000 Small Businesses
Company type	Charitable program
Industry	Small business education and support
Predecessor	10,000 Women initiative
Founded	November 2009; 17 years ago
Founder	Goldman Sachs and Goldman Sachs Foundation
Headquarters	New York City, United States
Area served	United States, United Kingdom, France
Key people	Lloyd Blankfein (Goldman Sachs CEO), Warren Buffett, Michael Porter (chairs of advisory council)
Products	Business education, mentoring, capital access, support services
Owner	Goldman Sachs Foundation
Parent	Goldman Sachs
Website	www.10000smallbusinesses.com

10,000 Small Businesses is a charitable program initiated by Goldman Sachs and the Goldman Sachs Foundation in November 2009, committing $500 million to aid small enterprises across the United States, United Kingdom, and France. This initiative delivers education in business and management, mentoring opportunities, capital access, and comprehensive support services. Prominent leaders such as Goldman Sachs CEO Lloyd Blankfein, Berkshire Hathaway's Warren Buffett, and Harvard Business School professor Michael Porter serve as chairs of the advisory council. The program was crafted over a year and inspired by Goldman Sachs' prior success with the 10,000 Women initiative, which empowers female entrepreneurs worldwide.

A study conducted by Babson College in January 2013 revealed that 63.7% of American participants experienced revenue growth, while 44.8% reported job creation following their completion of the program.

Program Overview

Goldman Sachs allocated $200 million to provide business education for small-business owners through community colleges, beginning with LaGuardia Community College in Queens, New York. An additional $300 million was designated for loans and grants aimed at small businesses.

By September 2013, the initiative had expanded to cover all 50 states via online courses and 13 community college locations. The program also facilitates networking and mentorship through collaborations with business organizations and Goldman Sachs staff.

In 2010, 10,000 Small Businesses was introduced in the UK, initially targeting regions including Yorkshire, the North West, the Midlands, and London. Partner institutions include Saïd Business School (University of Oxford), Leeds University Business School, Manchester Metropolitan University Business School, Aston Business School, and University College London (UCL). It now operates nationwide in collaboration with Saïd Business School and Aston Business School.

Selection criteria

In the United States, eligibility requires businesses to have a minimum of four full-time employees and generate at least $150,000 in revenue during the most recent fiscal year. Eligible companies must have been operational for no less than two years and primarily serve underserved markets. In the UK, the focus is on firms with at least five full-time employees, revenues ranging from £250,000 to £15 million, a minimum three-year operating history, and evidence of significant growth potential. Applicants are expected to be the highest-ranking decision-makers who generally hold majority ownership and control.

Partners

The program is supported by academic institutions, nonprofit organizations, and mission-driven capital lenders that contribute to its educational initiatives and financial support.

Social media

Goldman Sachs established the Twitter account @GS10KSmallBiz in February 2014; by December 2015, it had amassed over 18,000 followers. Profiles highlighting U.S. graduates are featured on Goldman Sachs’ YouTube playlist "Meet the Owners: 10,000 Small Businesses." Information about UK alumni and application procedures can be found on the official 10,000 Small Businesses UK website.

College partners

Nonprofit collaborators

Additional

10,000 Women

External links