Creating Opportunity

Business Matchmaking Aims To Boost Small Business Growths

Tennessee Business Matchmaking is a series of business-to-business matchmaking conferences offered by the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development (ECD). Its purpose is to match small and diversity businesses with federal, state and local government agencies and large corporations that have actual contract opportunities. The goal is to stimulate jobs and economic growth for Tennessee's small businesses.

Since April 2006, BERO has hosted six events in Johnson City, Knoxville, Nashville, Franklin, Jackson and Memphis, where over 3,277 one-on-one business appointments were held between 904 small businesses and 286 procurement officials.

Tennessee Business Matchmaking is like "speed dating for businesses." Small businesses are "matched" with public and private sector buyers that purchase what the small business sells or produces. The "matching" small businesses and buyers then meet in a scheduled 15-minute appointment the day of the event. The entire day is spent in fifteen minute business appointments, so buyers and sellers maximize their time and exposure to new clients or vendors. The "matching" is done by a customized computer application developed by ECD that is based, in part, by the NAICS codes provided by buyers and sellers during registration.

The results, thus far, have been very positive. Based on post-event surveys, sellers and buyers have reported hundreds of thousands of dollars in awarded contracts. The Tennessee Business Matchmaking program offers an innovative, time-efficient alternative to procurement conferences and trade shows, with effective results for small businesses and procurement representatives alike.

The Department of Economic and Community Development (ECD) works to maintain Tennessee’s pro-business climate where companies can grow and be successful. ECD seeks to enhance community quality of life, promote job creation and business opportunities, and offer support services to entrepreneurs and new and existing industries.

ECD's Business Enterprise Resource Office (BERO) provides technical, financial and management information assistance to small, minority and women-owned businesses and will oversee the Tennessee Business Matchmaking program. BERO also manages a small manufacturing initiative program that provides technical assistance to small manufacturers and matches them with large manufacturers.