Marketing Research and Planning
Completing basic research – like market research – can save time, money and a lot of trouble. The most successful businesses will:
- Find people who will be willing to pay for your product or service (there have to be enough of them to make it worth your while) – research market potential using census data and demographic databases
- Deliver the service or manufacture the product – research production options using business databases
- Know who you compete with – research competitors using business databases
- Understand whether your product is unique or proprietary – research patent filings
The Small Business Administration has launched an online tool that allows small business owners to see how their company compares to the competition. Research your competitive edge by checking out the SizeUp tool. Also, don’t forget to search through the Resource Navigator to find local organizations that are here to help you with your marketing challenges.
The following Resource Partners assist with marketing research and planning:
Baltimore City Small Business Resource Center
Baltimore Small Business Resource Center is the City of Baltimore’s One-Stop-Shop for persons seeking to start and grow a business. We provide training, counseling and resources to strengthen the entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Baltimore County Small Business Resource Center
The SBRC is a free service to help you establish, grow and improve your business through one-on-one sessions.
Baltimore Main Street
Baltimore Main Streets(BMS) is a program established by Baltimore City, in 2000, to provide customized support and technical assistance for neighborhood commercial corridors through designated neighborhood-based organizations.
Belair-Edison Main Street
The Baltimore Main Streets program is an approach to neighborhood revitalization by providing customized support and technical assistance to the City’s commercial corridors.
Enoch Pratt Free Library
The Enoch Pratt Free Library is the free public library system of the City of Baltimore, Maryland. Our mission is "to provide equal access to information and services that empower, enrich, and enhance the quality of life for all."
ETC (Emerging Technology Centers)
For nearly two decades, the ETC has provided a nurturing, innovative, and transformative experience for technology-focused entrepreneurs who are passionate about their businesses, motivated to succeed and committed to making a difference. Discover what the ETC can offer you — and what you can offer the ETC.
Federal Hill Main Street
The Baltimore Main Streets program is a neighborhood revitalization program that provides customized support and technical assistance to the City’s commercial corridors.
Fells Point Main Street
The Baltimore Main Streets program is an approach to neighborhood revitalization by providing customized support and technical assistance to the City’s commercial corridors.
Good Business Works
Good Business Works is a collaboration of Baltimore leaders who believe good jobs can be good for business. We promote businesses creating great places to work in our communities and provide tailored support for your human resources challenges & goals
Greater Baltimore Urban League
The Greater Baltimore Urban League – Since 1924, we have been helping disadvantaged Marylanders gain access to equal opportunity in employment, education, health care, housing and the civic arena. We encourage you to join the GBUL and take advantage of the many opportunities available to improve the quality of life for you and your community.
The Greater Baltimore Urban League, Inc. (GBUL) is one of the local affiliates of the National Urban League– a nonprofit, nonpartisan, multi-ethnic, social service organization. Through direct service delivery, advocacy, referrals, community capacity building, information dissemination and technical assistance, the League accomplishes its mission to improve social and economic conditions and opportunities for African-Americans and other people who face barriers to full participation in American society.
Harbor Launch
Harbor Launch at the Institute of Marine and Environmental Technology (IMET) is a startup incubator and community for science and science support companies. Focus: Life Science / Biotechnology Startups. Wet labs, office space, coworking.
Highlandtown Main Street
Highlandtown’s Main Street, which runs along Eastern Avenue from Ellwood Avenue to Haven Street, is a thriving 10 block stretch of shops, restaurants, grocers and art spaces with merchants and clientele from all over the globe.
HMS follows the model from the National Trust for Historic Preservation and helps merchants create business plans, find available properties and understand market demographic information. We also manage a facade grant program to help businesses make improvements that attract more customers to their shops. We partner with local businesses, residents and organizations to host some of the most popular events in Baltimore.
Amanda Smit-Peters
Phone: (410) 342-3234 Ext: 26
Website
3323 Eastern Avenue
Suite 200
Baltimore, MD 21224
iFundWomen
iFundWomen is a crowdfunding ecosystem for women-led startups and small businesses. Our mission is simple: to drive cash funding into the hands of early stage female entrepreneurs so they can start and grow their businesses.
Incubator at The Institute of Marine and Environmental Technology
An incubator for early-stage biotech, marine, environment, and human health companies. Part of the USM Institute of Marine and Environmental Technology, which is a partnership of UMB, UMBC and UMCES.
Innovation Works
The mission of Innovation Works (IW) is to reduce Baltimore’s neighborhood and racial wealth divide by teaching and accompanying members of disinvested communities to build and own successful social enterprises that create sustainable neighborhood economies and result in better family living, more resilient communities, and a safer, more vibrant city.
Latino Economic Development Center
LEDC is a nonprofit organization that equips entrepreneurs and small business owners with capital and technical assistance / LEDC es una organización sin ánimo de lucro que apoya emprendedores y empresarios con asistencia técnica y microcrédito.
Lexington Business Center
Lexington Business Center provides:
Shared Office Space and Conference Room.
Free WiFi.
Free Black and White printing.
Mail/package receipt and storage.
Small Conference room for use by members.
Business Center also provide Business Coaching at a discount to members.
Made In Baltimore
Made In Baltimore aims to spur re-investment in Baltimore City by growing the market for locally-produced goods. We do this by supporting local maker and manufacturers through our local-brand certification program, promotion and marketing events, and business development services.
Maryland Department of Commerce
The Maryland Department of Commerce stimulates private investment, creates jobs, attracts new businesses, encourages expansion and retains existing companies. It also provides financial assistance to Maryland companies.
Maryland Small Business Development Center - University of Maryland
The Maryland Small Business Development Center Network is dedicated to providing one-stop assistance to the area’s business community
Mayor's Office of Minority and Women-Owned Business Development
MWBD serves as the City of Baltimore’s advocate for small, local, minority and women-owned companies including prime contractors, subcontractors, and joint venture partners.
MBDA Baltimore Business Center
The MBDA Business Center is a Baltimore sponsored federally funded program that assists minority businesses with gaining access to capital, contracts, markets and global development.
MD Washington Minority Companies Association
In 2002, Md. Washington Minority Companies Association, Inc. (MWMCA) originated to assist minority and women-owned companies.
Pigtown Main Street
We provide assistance to business owners and commercial property owners along the 700-1300 blocks of Washington Blvd in Historic Pigtown.
SCORE-Greater Baltimore
Non Profit aligned with SBA to foster vibrant small Business Communities through mentoring and education.
Towson University Incubator
TU Incubator is Towson University’s business incubator for seed and early stage companies. Primary goals are to support regional entrepreneurs and induce mission-driven innovation in industries such as education (edtech) and healthcare.
University of Baltimore Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation
The center directs assistance and support to students interested in building or growing an enterprise.
US Commercial Service
The U.S. & Foreign Commercial Service is dedicated to helping U.S. companies; especially small and medium-sized enterprises compete and win in the global marketplace.
Waverly Main Street
The Baltimore Main Streets program is an approach to neighborhood revitalization by providing customized support and technical assistance to the City’s commercial corridors.
Will Holmes Consulting WHC
Will Holmes Consulting is a MBE certified, business management and technology consulting firm with offices in Baltimore, Maryland and Los Angeles, California. We develop technology, training, marketing and business process solutions for government agencies, non-profit organizations, universities and new and growing companies in North America, Africa and Asia.
