Guide ·
Austin small-business help desk
Where Austin business owners get mentoring, advising and training: SCORE Austin, the Texas State University SBDC, the City's Small Business Division and BizAid, and library rooms.
Details checked Nov 3, 2026, against each official page
For a mentor, start with SCORE Austin. For advising and workshops, the Texas State University SBDC. For City training, the Small Business Division and its BizAid orientation.
Five places to start when you need help running or growing a business in Austin, with what each one posts and where to go next.
Mentoring: SCORE Austin
SCORE Austin offers business mentoring and workshops, serving Austin and Central Texas. Most workshops are paid webinars — see each listing on its site.
Advising: Texas State University SBDC
The Small Business Development Center at 505 E Huntland Dr, Suite 505, offers advising and workshops; workshops are listed through December on its calendar.
City of Austin: Small Business Division and BizAid
Austin Economic Development's Small Business Division runs small-business training and BizAid orientation, with a training facility at 5202 E Ben White Blvd. The next BizAid Business Orientation is Thu, Nov 5, 2026, 11 AM–12 PM Central, at the Austin Public Library's Menchaca Road Branch (5500 Menchaca Rd). Program details: see smallbizaustin.org.
A room to meet or make: the Central Library
- Shared Learning Rooms: rooms seat 4, 6, 8 or 10, with a large-screen monitor and speakers. Book up to two weeks ahead for public or private meetings, or drop in if a room is unreserved. A reservation is lost after 15 minutes late.
- APL Innovate (Innovation Lab), 5th floor: a digital makerspace for podcasts, video, 3D and music. Open Tue–Thu 11 AM–7 PM and Fri–Sat 10 AM–4 PM. Lab computers are first-come; the Innovation Studio (Room 523, capacity 4) can be reserved for 2 hours.
Questions
FAQ
Where can I get a small-business mentor in Austin?
SCORE Austin offers business mentoring and workshops for Austin and Central Texas. Most of its workshops are paid webinars — see each listing.
Can I book a meeting room at the Austin Central Library?
Yes. Shared Learning Rooms seat 4, 6, 8 or 10 and may be booked for public or private meetings up to two weeks ahead. A reservation is lost after 15 minutes late.
Details change — confirm on the official page before you go. We list only what each organizer posts on its own site; anything it doesn't post reads "Not posted."
