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The Brink SBDC

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About The Brink

About The Brink

Who are we?

  • The Brink SBDC is a specialty center focused on innovation and high-growth entrepreneurship, hosted at the University of San Diego Knauss School of Business.
  • We help entrepreneurs turn innovative ideas into scalable businesses through expert guidance, practical resources, and connections to funding opportunities.
  • Our 1:1 business advising is always confidential and provided at no cost, with training and workshops offered free or at a low cost.

Who do we help?

  • We support entrepreneurs and small businesses with fewer than 500 employees that are building growth-oriented, innovation-driven companies.

Why do we help?

  • Our mission is to strengthen entrepreneurship, innovation, and economic prosperity throughout the San Diego region.
  • As part of the University of San Diego community, our work supports a broader commitment to creating meaningful impact across people, planet, profit, peace, and prosperity.

Client Profile

Our ideal client is an entrepreneur developing an innovative product, service, or solution with the potential to reach markets beyond the local region and scale over time. They are eager to learn, ready to take action, and committed to growing their business.

Level 1 Clients

Entrepreneur has a product or service idea, but not yet operable (no tax ID or EIN). Market demand and customer needs assumed but not validated.

Level 2 Clients

Establishing proof of concept, initial research and development activities, prototype and initial product development, and other early-stage pre-commercialization activities.

Level 3 Clients

Continuing and expanding initial research and development activities, Minimum Viable Product (MVP), prototype and initial product development, and other pre-commercialization activities.

Level 4 Clients

MVP or candidate ready for testing or market validation. Founder has raised capital or received SBIR funding.

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Our Partners

Funded in part through a Cooperative Agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration.

Funded in part through a Grant with the California Office of the Small Business Advocate; all opinions, conclusions, and/or recommendations expressed herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the California Office of the Small Business Advocate.

The Accelerate California: Innovation Hub Program (Accelerate CA) is funded by the State of California and administered by the California Office of the Small Business Advocate (CalOSBA).