Angelo State University

Small Business Development Center

Our Certified Business Advisors are available to you!

Schedule an appointment with our certified business advisors at no cost. Our sessions are confidential and individualized to provide you with the specific resources you need!

Training Event Schedule

Build and Leverage Business Credit to Help Grow Your Business

Thursday, July 16, 2026 | 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM | No cost | Virtual

A strong credit score may help your business qualify for certain SBA loans, get buy now, pay later terms with suppliers and vendors, or help you access other types of small business loans and funding.

San Angelo Business Plan Competition

The San Angelo Business Plan Competition allows entrepreneurs to develop viable business plans to expand their business in San Angelo by competing for cash grants and in-kind prizes.

Prizes

Competition officials may award up to a total of $100,000 in Grant Awards!

First Place - $50,000
Second Place - $30,000
Third Place - $20,000

In-kind services donated by local businesses will also be awarded and are worth thousands of dollars in total.

How to Apply

The competition is made up of two phases. Phase I is the first entry point and requires you to provide a business overview and entry form, which is due Wednesday, August 5, 2026, by 5:00 pm.

Need Assistance?

Reach out to one of our Certified Business Advisors at no-cost to learn more about eligibility and receive assistance in applying.

The ASU SBDC also offers info session to discuss the competition guidelines, how to apply, the application window, and how the grant funds can be utilized. The presentation will also include an overview of the elements of the business plan to help you submit an award-winning application.

Information Session: July 1 from 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM at I&E Network. Register here.

Review Guidelines

Submit Application

TIRZ South Application Window Open

This grant program is designed to support economic development initiatives within designated TIRZ areas, fostering growth and innovation.

Grant Focus Areas:

Exterior improvements
Historic preservation
Landscape installation
Screening of outdoor storage
Paving
Secondary egress
Asbestos abatement
Fire sprinkler and monitored smoke alarm system
ADA improvements

Detailed guidelines, eligibility criteria, and application instructions can be found on the TIRZ Program Website.

Key Dates:

• Grant Window Opens: Now

• Application Deadline: July 30, 2026

For assistance with applications, please email Downtown San Angelo, Inc. at [email protected], or reach out to your ASU SBDC Advisor.

Apply Here!

TIRZ Policy

Budget Worksheet

Angelo State University

AI and Cyber Summit

The Kay Bailey Hutchison Institute, and the ASU Small Business Development Center will bring together business owners and professionals from the Concho Valley and across Texas. This event allows the community to spend a day focusing on common cybersecurity and artificial intelligence topics. Attendees can meet business leaders, panelists, sponsors and colleagues in the technology arena.

The year’s summit will focus on a theme of “Trust in the Age of AI: Building Resilient Systems” and provide insight into artificial intelligence and cybersecurity topics.

SAVE THE DATE: Thursday, Oct. 15, 2026

Time: 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Location: C.J. Davidson Conference Center

Learn more about the event at angelo.edu/ai-cyber-summit

Become A Sponsor / Vendor

Texas Conference for Employers

Small Business Success

Mad Messy

Mad Messy is a fast-growing culinary venture founded by serial entrepreneur and U.S. Veteran James Pettit. The business began as a food truck serving Goodfellow Air Force Base and quickly gained popularity for its bold twist on classic Philly cheesesteaks infused with traditional West Texas flavors. Building on this success, Mad Messy moved to a location in the busy downtown area of San Angelo, opening their clientele. With success at their new location, the team knew they were ready to expand to a second permanent location inside Sunset Mall.

Despite strong community support and growing sales, Mad Messy faced challenges common to new businesses. Operational inefficiencies, such as high prep times, impacted productivity, and James needed advanced kitchen equipment to help in this challenge for both locations to maintain quality and consistency. To address these challenges, James turned to the ASU SBDC for guidance in preparing for the 2025 San Angelo Business Plan Competition. Certified Business Advisor Kate Polk worked with him to refine and strengthen his business plan and presentation. Kate’s support gave James the confidence and tools to present an impactful expansion plan for Mad Messy.

Mad Messy was awarded third place and $20,000 in the 2025 San Angelo Business Plan Competition. The prize funds will be used to purchase advanced kitchen equipment, reducing prep time and improving operational efficiency as the business continues to grow. With two thriving locations and plans for continued growth, Mad Messy has transformed from a single food truck into an award-winning culinary brand taking San Angelo eateries up a notch.

Business Tips

A Beginner's Guide to Branding Your Business

Branding often involves choosing and creating features like company colors, logos and taglines. But it extends further into your company’s mission and values: Your brand should drive each stage of your business, from launch to becoming a full-fledged company. Here’s how to remain consistent with your branding efforts — no matter what phase of development you’re in.

How a “Growth Mindset” Helps You Handle Setbacks

Every small business owner faces challenges, so they have to be diligent about how they spend money and allocate resources. A new study suggests that entrepreneurs with a “growth mindset of frugality” were more resilient to resource setbacks.

Is AI diluting your brand? Here's what's actually going on

94% of marketing leaders say brand consistency is their top concern as AI content scales — yet only 9% think their tools are solving it. See how Canva's brand system keeps AI output on-brand from the start.

Take advantage of other Webinars Across the Web, hosted by our partner organizations

Texas South-West SBDC Network Events

SBA Online-Learning Center

Corporate Sponsors

~ BUILDING THE TEXAS ECONOMY, ONE BUSINESS AT A TIME ~

ASU SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CENTER

www.sbdc.angelo.edu | 325-942-2098

69 N Chadbourne St. | San Angelo, TX 76903 | 325.942.2098

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ASU SBDC—A partnership with the U.S. Small Business Administration: Funded in part through the State of Texas and a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). SBDC services are provided to all U.S. citizens, legal residents, and foreign nationals that intend to invest in the United States, in accordance with Federal funding requirements. Reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities or limited English proficiency will be made if requested at least two weeks in advance.

Contact ASU SBDC, 325-942-2098 or [email protected].