Technical Assistance Programming

Workshops for Small Businesses

View Previous Workshops

Many of our previous workshops for small businesses are available online. Did you miss a recent session? Visit our Youtube Playlist to watch at your own pace. 

Upcoming Workshops | Próximos Talleres

English Workshops

Virtual Sessions

• Business Succession Planning Virtual Workshop
  Date: Monday May 19 | 10:00-11:00 a.m.
  Register here: https://tinyurl.com/5e3nwz4e
• Artificial Intelligence for Business Virtual Workshop
  Date: Tuesday May 27 | 10:00-11:00 a.m.
  Register here: https://tinyurl.com/3sxjz2pn
• Operating a Hair Salon or Spa
  Date: Monday June 9 | 1:00-3:00PM
  Register here: https://forms.gle/DA4LDjewHvSNDP1r6
   

Spanish Workshops | Talleres de Español

• Planeación de tu negocio (Seminario presencial)
  Jueves 5 de junio | 5:00-6:00PM 
  Ubicación: Seminario presencial en 42 Cross Street, Somerville, MA 02145
  Regístrate aquí: https://tinyurl.com/jddhjsdk
• Iniciar Y operar un Negocio con un ITIN (Seminario presencial)
  Sábado 7 de junio| 10:00-11:30AM 
  Ubicación: Seminario presencial en 42 Cross Street, Somerville, MA 02145
  Regístrate aquí: https://tinyurl.com/3sxjz2pn
   

Portuguese Workshops | Oficinas Portuguesas

• Iniciando e operando um negócio com um ITIN (seminário presencial) 
   Sabado, 7 de Junho | 12:00-1:30PM
   Presencialmente na 42 Cross Street em Somerville, MA  02145
   Registre-se aqui: https://tinyurl.com/3sxjz2pn
   

FAQ- Workshop Descriptions

Who is eligible to attend the workshops?  

Any current or future business owner of a Somerville business can attend the workshops.

Is there a limit to workshops I can attend?

No, you may attend as many workshops as you’d like, depending on space availability.

Where will the workshops be held?

The workshops will be held either virtually or in person, depending on the session. Details will be provided on outreach flyers and this webpage.

What are the topics of the workshops?

They will range in a variety of topics relevant to small business topics such as financial planning, operations management, succession planning, marketing, and more.  

Do I need to register in advance for the workshops?

If the session is in-person, we may require pre-registration depending on capacity. Registration will be shared as workshop details are finalized.   

Individualized Consulting for Small Businesses 

For the Urban Agenda Grant funded program, we are no longer accepting applications. As any additional funding may become available in the future, please check back on this page to see any updates to individualized consulting for small business offerings.  

FAQ- Individualized Consulting  

Who is eligible for one-on-one assistance?  

Any small business in Somerville with fewer than 20 full time employees. 

What is the timing of the one-on-one assistance?  

Businesses will schedule sessions with consultants depending on personal availability. Small businesses can get up to 5 hours of free consulting. Please note that all sessions must be completed by June 30th, 2025. Take this timing into consideration when applying.  

What documents are needed for eligibility?  

The business must be able to provide an up-to-date W9 form. You can find the form here:  (https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/fw9.pdf )

Are there any costs associated with participating?  

No, these sessions are free.

How will I know if my business has been selected for individualized consulting?

A member of the Economic Development Staff will notify selected businesses and provide next steps.  

What languages are available for one-on-one consulting?

We have consultants that can support English, Spanish, and Portuguese. We may be able accommodate other languages. Please indicate your preferred language while filling out the form.

Are there priority criteria for business selection?

Yes, businesses may be prioritized if there is more demand than spaces available. Please look at the Priority Points Document.   

Request for Information - Technical Assistance

The City of Somerville’s Economic Development Division is seeking information for technical assistance providers in: 

• Business formation, planning, and strategy
• Legal Assistance
• Accounting, bookkeeping, financial management
• Marketing, branding, website creation, graphic design
• Digital Literacy
• Financial Literacy
• Other topics that may benefit a small business 

If you are a business, consultant, or non-profit that may be able to support Somerville’s business community, we encourage you to respond to our Request for Information (RFI). Please see the document below for more information. Responses will be accepted on a rolling basis.