The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and the HP Small Business Foundation, a non-profit subsidiary of Hewlett-Packard, Thursday announced the schedule for their 2005 Business Matchmaking events. These events, which take place at specified dates throughout the year in cities around the U.S., match small companies with government agencies and private sector corporations, including Fortune 500 companies. The small businesses then have a chance to meet the buyers one-on-one or via phone to negotiate for potential contracts.


In 2005 the SBA in partnership with HP will launch the Business Matchmaking Online Network, in which small business owners will be able to participate in the matchmaking process virtually, without having to travel to one of the regular Business Matchmaking events. Initially to be launched as a pilot program in Phoenix, Albuquerque, Denver, Kansas City, and Tampa, the program is slated to be rolled out nationwide in September 2005.


"Entrepreneurs in pursuit of government and large-company contracts have often had to learn by trial and error, sometimes at great expense, and for mixed results at best," said Robyn West, vice president, HP Small and Medium Business, in a statement. "Business Matchmaking streamlines this process, helping them find the right buyer at the right time."


In its first three years, the Business Matchmaking program has created nearly 23,000 appointments for small business owners to meet with government and corporate buyers, and participating small businesses have been awarded more than $26 million in new contracts.


For the schedule of events and more information, see the Business Matchmaking Web site.