The California Chamber of Commerce, in a collaborative effort with the California Hispanic Chambers of Commerce and the Northern California Small Business Development Center, has launched an initiative that aims to bridge the gap in business procurement by offering comprehensive support to help small businesses acquire procurement contracts in both the public and private sectors.
The ProBiz program, which will provide virtual trainings, in-person supplier diversity events, and no-cost one-on-one technical advising, is designed to simplify the contracting process and create a more inclusive marketplace for businesses of all sizes.
The program’s launch comes at a crucial time, following the recent passage of AB 2019 (Petrie-Norris, 2022), Equity in State Procurement, highlighting the need for accessible procurement solutions.
Pilot Program
“ProBiz is a needed and necessary solution for businesses of all sizes. That is why we are proud to partner in this pilot program and hope to see it expand statewide,” said CalChamber President and CEO Jennifer Barrera.
The ProBiz program is expected to be particularly beneficial for minority-owned businesses, which often face significant challenges in securing procurement contracts.
“Minority-business owners typically struggle the most in finding and acquiring procurement contracts; ProBiz will be especially helpful for those business owners who want to grow their business,” California Hispanic Chambers President and CEO Julian Canete said.
The announcement of the ProBiz program during California’s Small Business Month underscored the importance of providing procurement access to every business in the state.
This pilot project will begin in Northern California with the goal of expanding to other Small Business Development Center regions across the state later this year.
More Information
For more information about the ProBiz program and how it can benefit your business, visit norcalsbdc.org/ProBiz or contact Scott Rogalski, Northern California Small Business Development Center deputy director, at scott@norcalsbdc.org.
