Expert Business & Workforce Advising at No Cost

 

Did you know that the Los Gatos Chamber of Commerce connects members to top-tier Advisory Partners and spotlights the most impactful upcoming workshops in our weekly newsletter? We cultivate strategic collaborations with two Small Business Administration partners—SCORE Silicon Valley and the Silicon Valley Small Business Development Center (SBDC)—plus Work2Future, the U.S. Department of Labor–funded Workforce Development Board.

In addition to no-cost, confidential one-on-one advising, these organizations offer free workshops (with only occasional nominal fees) on planning, finance, capital access, and workforce development. Each organization excels in a different discipline—strategy, capital, or talent—so we recommend businesses engage more than one to build a complete support network.

Learn more about each Advisory Partner below.

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Mentoring from Experienced Business Leaders

SCORE Silicon Valley pairs small business owners and entrepreneurs with seasoned volunteer mentors—retired or active executives and founders—who share real-world experience across 60 + industries common in Los Gatos, including tech; retail; e-commerce; food services and restaurants; and professional-services. Mentoring is always free and can be in person or virtual. You can meet once—or stay connected for months as you grow with a trusted sounding board.

Best Use Cases:

• Test a new idea
• Write or refine a business plan
• Develop marketing and sales strategies  
• Improve operations
• Troubleshoot strategic pivots
• Stay accountable to goals month after month

What You Receive:

• Confidential 1-on-1 mentoring (in person or virtual)
• Proven planning, strategy & cash-flow templates
• Live and on-demand workshops and webinars

Synergy with Partner Programs: Work with a SCORE mentor for big-picture guidance, then bring in Silicon Valley SBDC for capital tasks and Work2Future for assistance with staffing needs.

Learn more »

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Capital-Focused Advising

Hosted by San José State University, the Silicon Valley SBDC fields paid advisors—CPAs, MBAs, former bankers, and seasoned experts—who roll up their sleeves to prepare local businesses for bank loans, investor capital, or government grants. They also help firms smooth operational hurdles and seize new market opportunities.

Best Use Cases:

• Tune budgets & cash-flow forecasts before lender meetings
• Resolve HR, licensing, or permit issues
• Pursue government contracts or new markets
• Launch tech products via growth cohorts

What You Receive:

• Confidential sessions with CPAs, MBAs & former bankers
• Introductions to a broad lender / investor network
• Targeted workshops—all free of charge

Synergy with Partner Programs: Utilize Silicon Valley SBDC for loans, grants, and compliance while your SCORE Silicon Valley mentor assists you with overall business strategy; once funding is secured, Work2Future helps you hire and train the right team.

Learn more »

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Workforce Funding & Recruitment

The Workforce Development Board for central and southern Santa Clara County, Work2Future connects employers to qualified candidates and offsets training costs. Through On-the-Job Training (OJT), Work Experience (WEX), and Incumbent Worker programs, it can reimburse up to 50% of new-hire wages during training and provide rapid-response services to avert layoffs.

Best Use Cases:

• Fill hard-to-staff roles
• Upskill current employees
• Avoid layoffs with rapid-response support
• Navigate tax credits and HR resources

What You Receive:

• No-cost recruitment assistance & candidate screening
• Customized OJT contracts and wage reimbursements
• Local labor-market data and WIOA incentive guidance

Synergy with Partner Programs: After SCORE Silicon Valley helps you refine your strategy and Silicon Valley SBDC assists you with securing capital, Work2Future can support your business with subsidized talent and training dollars to execute your growth plan.

Learn more »