The Economic and Community Development Institute (ECDI) is a 501(c)3 non-profit economic development organization located in Columbus, Ohio. Its mission is to invest in people to create measurable and enduring social and economic change.

As a U.S. Small Business Administration intermediary microlender and U.S. Treasury designated Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) microlending organization in Central Ohio, ECDI addresses the needs of very small business owners in the creation and expansion of microenterprises. ECDI offers loans ranging from $500 to $100,000 to underserved entrepreneurs through its revolving microloan fund program. Its programs provide valuable services to microentrepreneurs, including culturally and linguistically appropriate financial literacy and microenterprise training, one-on-one technical assistance, and industry specific training and access to markets through its new Growing Entrepreneurs Initiative business incubation program. Eligible, low-income working entrepreneurs may also receive grants for business capitalization through the Microenterprise Development Individual Development Account (MED IDA) program.

Put simply, ECDI offer programs and training in foundational financial literacy, microenterprise development, and business incubation to give clients access to microloans, matched-savings grants, or industry-specific knowledge to arm them with the tools to succeed.

SCORE has 389 chapters in locations throughout the United States and its territories, with 10,500 volunteers nationwide. Both working and retired executives and business owners donate time and expertise as business counselors. SCORE was founded in 1964.

SCORE counselors meet with entrepreneurs by appointment at your Madison Co. Chamber of Commerce Business Offices and Conference Center or at a location of your choice.

The Ohio Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at Columbus State Community College is a public-private partnership supported by the US Small Business Administration, the Ohio Department of Development, Columbus State Community College and other local partners.  Through its programs and services, the Center provides entrepreneurial development assistance and high end business consulting to start-up and emerging business owners.  The Center’s consulting services are offered at “no cost” to the client and all services are provided on a non-discriminatory basis.

SBDC counselors take appointments multiple times per month at your Madison Co. Chamber of Commerce Business Offices and Conference Center or at a location of your choice. Please call to find out when they will be there.

Making the Right Connections

TechColumbus connects people with projects and ideas with outcomes.  Through the Entrepreneurial Signature Program and the associated funding and financing vehicles, the TechColumbus Incubator, and the facilitation of professional networking and community-building opportunities TechColumbus is a central point of access to regional entrepreneurial services.

Providing Strategic Services

TechColumbus supports early stage companies with the targeted professional services they need to position themselves for growth.  Business advisory services, strategies to attract key management expertise or technical skill sets, business planning and competitive analysis and benchmarking are just a few of the professional advisory services client companies can utilize to add value to their business, to create a competitive advantage for their emerging company and to seize new or underdeveloped market opportunities.

Facilitating Access to Capital

TechColumbus and its partners manage almost $20 million in assets focused on the earliest technology investment opportunities

TECHCOLUMBUS counselors are by appointment only.

2. Classes, Workshops, Seminars

The partners listed above frequently host free or low-cost workshops and seminars on a variety of topics. Please visit our countywide calendar of events and search for events listed under "Business Workshops."

If you have a particular topic for which you would like to see a seminar in Madison Co., please e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .

3. Affordable Marketing Assistance

Many of our invested members have found marketing and advertising to be an incredible challenge especially considering it can be one of the most expensive activities for your business. Declines in consumer confidence and decreased sales threaten all businesses, but small businesses are particularly vulnerable as they often don't have the reserves to help them weather difficult times. Learn more here!