L.A Small Business Academy

If you would like to receive information about the next Small Business Academy, AccessingLA, and other outreach events, please sign up here.

The L.A. Small Business Academy is a multi-session course that is made possible by the collaboration of the Department of Water & Power (DWP), the Port of Los Angeles (POLA), the Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA), the Department of Transportation (DOT) and the Department of Public Works (DPW) including the Bureau of Contract Administration (BCA) and the Bureau of Engineering (BOE).

The Academy was initiated to engender the growth, sustainability, and success of small business enterprises through the provision of courses that provide direct information and insight about marketing, financing, insuring, and working on design-build, and other future projects. The completion of an extensive program focusing on empowering and preparing small, women, minority, and military veteran-owned firms.

Its inaugural class in 2014 had 30 graduates in the fields of construction and engineering. The class of 2015, which placed emphasis on women-owned businesses, had 27 graduates. The 2016 class focus was on disabled veteran-owned businesses and had 33 graduates, six (6) of whom were certified Disabled Veteran Business Enterprises.

In its 4th and 5th year, the Academy focused on professional/personal services firms. The class of 2017 produced 38 graduates who were entrepreneurs involved in environmental, real estate, architecture, media, marketing, security, financial, information technology, human resources and consulting services. The 32 graduates of the class of 2018 were comprised of businesses in video production, social engagement, engineering, geospatial analysis, environmental services, information technology, security, safety management, auditing services, professional development, and translation/interpreting services. For 2019, the 6th year of the Academy, the class focused on construction services.

Knowledge can mean the difference between failure and success in a small business—especially a new one. The Academy team believes that small business leaders can always learn something new that will benefit their organization. Through the Academy, entrepreneurs and small business owners will gain key insights, skills, and resources required to launch, manage, and expand their future contracting opportunities. The Academy aims to support the development of small businesses by providing them with relevant information and essential training that they could use to successfully adapt to a constantly changing world.

"Understanding the SBE/WBE advantages when bidding for city contracts is one of the many things I learned as an LA Small Business Academy scholar. This experience provided tremendous help in navigating our current contract with the LA Public Library and I will be forever grateful for the Academy’s leadership and guidance."

Dana, Class of 2017

“I started the academy with no idea how to navigate the complex labyrinth the City of LA represented. The wonderful people who make up its departments welcomed all of us in, and gave us the tools to find our way. The most valuable of these - their on-going dedication to our mutual success.”

Laurent, Class of 2017

“The opportunity to have time to talk to the heads of City Departments, small business liaisons and multi-national contractors, gives you another perspective on the way that they perceive your business. Having the opportunity to talk and interact with them, helped me to understand the areas on my business that needed improvement and work on them. The Small Business Academy, provided me with tools related to marketing, finance and that so named 'elevator pitch' that make a difference on that first face-to-face meeting, and helped me to growth my business.”

Fabiola, Class of 2014

L.A. Small Business Academy Graduates

Class of 2025

Class of 2024

The 2024 Small Business Academy was cancelled.

Class of 2023

Class of 2022

Class of 2021

Class of 2020

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the 2020 Small Business Academy was cancelled.

Class of 2019

Class of 2018

Class of 2017

Class of 2016

Class of 2015

Class of 2014

Lighting The Way Video Series

The Lighting The Way video series was created as a way to keep information available and accessible during the Covid-19 pandemic. This series offers knowledge and guidance on how to do business with the City of Los Angeles.

Lighting the Way's objective is to provide a platform where essential and relevant information that small and diverse businesses could utilize to navigate the various elements of City contracting can be easily accessed.

Visit the Lighting the Way YouTube Channel to view all the videos: Lighting The Way Channel