Business Enterprise Resource Office

Starting a small business is no walk in the park. Just ask our Governor, Phil Bredesen. He cut his business teeth by drafting the plan for a health care company at his kitchen table. That small company eventually grew to more than 600 employees and is traded today on the New York Stock Exchange.

In fact, two-thirds of all businesses in the state are small businesses with 20 or fewer employees, and businesses with fewer than five employees represent more than 40 percent of all Tennessee establishments. Those numbers say a lot of about the source of Tennessee’s economic strength. That’s why we’ve worked hard to foster a business climate that’s just as friendly to a five-person shop as a 500-person corporation. And our efforts are making an impact. A study released in 2008 by the Ewing Marion Kaufman Foundation ranked Tennessee in the top 5 states nationally for entrepreneurial activity.

In Tennessee, we understand not only how important small business is to our state’s economy, but also exactly what small business owners need to succeed. The challenges and obstacles that confront entrepreneurs are unique, and adequate support and resources are crucial to navigating the early days of a new venture.

At ECD, we offer procurement assistance and development opportunities to small and minority- and women-owned businesses through the Business Enterprise Resource Office (BERO). BERO partners with other state agencies and small business support programs to:

Whether you’ve got the know-how for the next big break in technology or the best muffin recipe this side of the Mississippi, let BERO help you realize your plans. In Tennessee, you’ll be in good company.