The Arizona Commerce Authority offers a wide range of programming to support small businesses around the state such as the Small Business Checklist, the Small Business Academy, the State Small Business Credit Initiative and the Small Business Boot Camp.
Small businesses in the state
of the state's total business
Small business employees
the state's private workforce
The Arizona Small Business Checklist is a free interactive tool to help guide business owners to launch, operate and scale their business. Explore all the resources available in the checklist with the help of the virtual assistant SALLI.
PERSONALIZE YOUR CHECKLIST PERSONALIZE YOUR CHECKLIST
The Arizona State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI) program supports small businesses by improving their access to capital. The initiative is part of a broader federal effort to help small businesses grow and create jobs. The program provides funding to state programs that partner with private lenders to extend capital to small businesses that might not otherwise have access to loans or investment capital.
APPLY FOR SSBCI APPLY FOR SSBCI
Arizona’s Small Business Academy equips small businesses across the state with the knowledge to scale their business. The Arizona Commerce Authority works with experienced and successful business owners to share their insights and strategies with entrepreneurs and SMBs. These courses are often out of reach and the Academy aims to provide the resources and close the knowledge gap completely free of charge.
JOIN THE ACADEMY JOIN THE ACADEMY
The Arizona Small Business Boot Camp is a statewide initiative to help Arizona’s small businesses grow and thrive. Local business leaders and subject matter experts provide real-time support and available resources through virtual webinars and hands-on workshops.
VIEW VIRTUAL WEBINARS VIEW VIRTUAL WEBINARSArizona Business One Stop is a secure, user-friendly portal that helps entrepreneurs and business owners quickly plan, start and grow their businesses in Arizona. By centralizing tasks across multiple state agencies, the platform streamlines processes like business registration, licensing and compliance. Whether launching a new venture or expanding an existing operation, users can save time and reduce paperwork with a single, simplified experience, all in one place.
The Arizona Small Business Growth Coalition (SBGC) is a statewide alliance of six trusted organizations dedicated to helping small businesses across Arizona start, grow and thrive. Led by the Arizona Commerce Authority, the Coalition brings together service providers who align resources, share data and collaborate to create measurable impact. Together, we are building a stronger, more inclusive economy.
SCALE (Strategic Coaching for Advancing Local Entrepreneurs) is a statewide initiative developed by the Arizona Small Business Association in partnership with the Arizona Commerce Authority to help Arizona's small businesses start strong, grow sustainably, and access new opportunities.
PHOENIX, AZ (March 5, 2026) – Amid increased international investment and to further strengthen economic and trade ties between Arizona and Japan, the Arizona Commerce Authority (ACA), Greater Phoenix Economic Council (GPEC), and Arizona State University (ASU) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO), during a signing ceremony yesterday on March 4, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona. Attendees included a visiting delegation of more than 50 Japanese government, business, academia, and community leaders, as well as Arizona leaders. The MOU aims to accelerate collaboration between Arizona and Japan in key industrial sectors such as semiconductors, R&D, and workforce development.
READ MORE about ACA, GPEC, and ASU Sign MOU With JETRO To Strengthen International and Semiconductor Collaboration »PHOENIX, AZ (February 24, 2026) – Arizona’s strong international ties fueled record-breaking trade and investment in 2025, creating thousands of new jobs and driving more than $1 billion in foreign direct investment. Exports by Arizona companies surged from $32.4 to $44.4 billion – a 37% increase and the second fastest growth in the nation. By comparison, U.S. exports grew by 5.7%. Key trade highlights include: Taiwan surpassed Canada and China to become Arizona’s second-largest trading partner (behind Mexico), with more than $21.2 billion in total trade and Arizona leads the nation in international investment, with more than $195.7 billion announced since 2020.
READ MORE about Arizona Emerges as a Global Economic Powerhouse »