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StartSmart

Helping immigrants and refugees start or grow a business

We have assisted immigrants and refugees from over 101 countries of origin transfer their skills and experience to business ownership in Maine. Let us help you start or grow your Maine business too.  


Interpretation services are available upon request. Click on the links below for a description of CEI’s services in your language.

af Soomaali
العربية
Español
français
português

We work to help you transfer your skills and experience to business ownership in Maine.

We provide no-cost access to:

EXPERT ADVICE

  • Evaluate your business idea
  • Develop a business plan
  • Review location choices
  • Help identify sources of financing
  • Organize your bookkeeping
  • Strengthen marketing and advertising

FINANCING

  • Rebuild your credit
  • Apply for a business loan

LEGAL AND REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS

  • Permits and licenses
  • Taxes
  • Insurance

Let us know how we can help you

CEI Business Advising Application

Thank you for requesting free, confidential business advising at CEI.   


We are able to offer our business advising at no cost to you thanks to the generous support of various funders and supporters, including the U.S. Small Business Administration. 


These funders require us to collect a wide range of demographic and business information, which we ask for on this application form. 


We keep all information completely confidential within CEI and report it only in aggregate.  CEI never sells, shares, or otherwise distributes personal information without your explicit written consent.  


Completing this form is not a guarantee you'll receive business advising through CEI. We have limited capacity and often refer to other organizations to provide technical support, when we believe the applicant would be better served elsewhere. 


We’ll be in contact within 3 – 5 business days to respond to your request. 

Name



Home Address





Phone Numbers and Email Addresses









Need help filling out this form?
Besoin d'aide? ¿Necesitas ayuda? Ma u baahan tahay caawimo?  بحاجة الى مساعدة؟ 
Email bds@ceimaine.org or call 207-504-5875.

Demographics














Include all people who live in your household

Enter an amount in $. Combine the income from all adults over 18 in your household. Enter 0 if you are unsure or don't know your family income.

Check “Yes” here if you identify as female, have dependents, and are the sole income-earner in your household.
Need help filling out this form?
Besoin d'aide? ¿Necesitas ayuda? Ma u baahan tahay caawimo?  بحاجة الى مساعدة؟ 
Email bds@ceimaine.org or call 207-504-5875.

Advising Information










Business Address





Need help filling out this form?
Besoin d'aide? ¿Necesitas ayuda? Ma u baahan tahay caawimo?  بحاجة الى مساعدة؟ 
Email bds@ceimaine.org or call 207-504-5875.

Business Information






Employees and Ownership

Please include yourself if you are the owner and a full-time employee. If your business has seasonal fluctuations in number of employees, write the current number of full-time employees as of today.

Please include yourself if you are the owner and a part-time employee. If your business has seasonal fluctuations in number of employees, write the current number of part-time employees as of today.

Enter 75 for 75%
For the most recent full business year, what was your:

If you are unsure, take your best guess, or enter $0.

If you are unsure, take your best guess, or enter $0.

Does your business have any of the following certifications?




Exporting Activity










Need help filling out this form?
Besoin d'aide? ¿Necesitas ayuda? Ma u baahan tahay caawimo?  بحاجة الى مساعدة؟ 
Email bds@ceimaine.org or call 207-504-5875.

Certification

    1. I request business advising service from the Small Business Administration (SBA) or an SBA Resource Parter. I agree to cooperate should I be selected to participate in surveys designed to evaluate SBA services.
    2. I permit SBA or its agent the use of my name and address for SBA surveys and information mailings regarding SBA products and services
    3. I understand that any information disclosed will be held in strict confidence. (SBA will not provide your personal information to commercial entities.) I authorize SBA to furnish relevant information to the assigned management advisor(s). I further understand that the advisor(s) agrees not to: 1) recommend goods or services from sources in which he/she has an interest, and 2) accept fees or commissions developing from this counseling relationship. In consideration of the counselor(s) furnishing management or technical assistance, I waive all claims against SBA personnel, and that of its Resource Partners and host organizations, arising from this assistance.
    4. I self-certify that neither I nor my company are currently in suspension or debarment by a Federal Agency.
    5. Please enter your full name and today's date to acknowledge and accept the above terms.


CEI is a comprehensive organization that offers not only business advising but also business lending, sector expertise, and policy solutions. We've found that we can best support a small business when various staff can collaborate, and discuss how to best serve each individual. All CEI staff sign a strict confidentiality policy, and operate with the utmost respect for keeping sensitive information private. Please indicate your preference for handling your business details.
Need help filling out this form?
Besoin d'aide? ¿Necesitas ayuda? Ma u baahan tahay caawimo?  بحاجة الى مساعدة؟ 
Email bds@ceimaine.org or call 207-504-5875.


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