Government & Funding Partnerships
Pathways for governments, development banks, foundations and technology companies to bring the Business Development Center to their communities.
Small, measurable, accountable
A partner can fund or host something specific and see what it achieved: a center in one city or country, a cohort of entrepreneurs, a set of tools for a region. NBU plans to publish its curriculum, set targets with each partner and report on agreed indicators. It is built to work through local organizations, so money and expertise stay close to the entrepreneurs.
What a partner receives
- A clear scope, budget and timeline
- Reporting on agreed indicators
- Participant stories, with permission, in The Bridge magazine
- A named, accountable NBU contact
Our pledge to the ITU Partner2Connect Digital Coalition
Status: Pending
Nation Builders University has submitted a pledge to the Partner2Connect (P2C) Digital Coalition, a platform run by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) where organizations make voluntary commitments on digital inclusion. NBU's pledge (Pledge ID 7942) is titled "NBU Business Development Center: digital skills and advising for small businesses, from Washington, DC to Africa."
What we pledge: free or low-cost online advising and training in digital skills, e-commerce, digital payments, responsible use of AI tools and marketing; an open playbook and curriculum; and support for up to three partner-run pilot centers by 2029, subject to local law and co-funding.
Goal: reach 1,000 small business owners and entrepreneurs between 2027 and 2029, at least half of them women and young people, with yearly public reporting.
What "pending" means
- ITU has not yet validated the pledge. It may decide not to publish it.
- A pledge is voluntary and non-binding. It is not a contract, a grant or funding.
- Submitting a pledge is not an endorsement or partnership with ITU or the United Nations.
- The Center is planned and has not opened. Funding is sought and is reported only when agreed in writing.
Seven ways to work with us
Host a center
A government, university, chamber or agency runs a local center with NBU's playbook and support.
Fund a cohort or center
Pay for a cohort in a chosen place, including advisors, materials and local support.
Train local advisors
NBU trains a partner's own staff to advise and train small businesses.
Provide tools in kind
Cloud credits, software, connectivity or payment tools, with clear terms and no endorsement implied.
Volunteer expertise
Mentors, judges, translators and subject experts, including diaspora professionals.
Fund participants
Support entrepreneurs who cannot afford data, devices or fees.
Research and evaluation
Independent partners who study what works and help improve the program.
Who NBU hopes to invite
This is orientation for the reader, not a claim of any relationship. NBU has not applied to, been approved by or agreed anything with the organizations or programs below.
| Type of partner | How it could fit | Status |
|---|---|---|
| U.S. federal agencies and programs | Programs that support small-business development, international trade, educational and cultural exchange and economic cooperation. NBU would seek competitive grants or contracts, or act as a training partner, where it is eligible. | No application made. See the Capability Statement for NBU's federal registration details. |
| U.S. states and the District of Columbia | State and city economic-development and small-business offices that want a partner for training and advising. | No contact or agreement. |
| African, Asian and Latin American governments | Ministries and agencies that want to set up a Business Development Center with NBU through a written agreement. | No contact or agreement. |
| World Bank Group and other multilateral development banks | These institutions generally work through governments and large implementing partners. NBU's likely route is as a training or technical-assistance partner inside a funded project, or through a government or intermediary. | No contact or agreement. |
| Foundations and impact investors | Grants for entrepreneurship training, women's economic empowerment and youth employment. | Open to introductions. |
| Technology companies, including Google | Philanthropic and startup-support programs can provide tools, cloud credits, mentoring or grants. See Partners for the status of NBU's talks with Google Cloud. | Pending. No agreement, and no endorsement by Google is implied. |
| Banks, mobile-money providers and local business groups | Financial services, payment tools and market access for clients of the Center. | Open to introductions. |
From advice to jobs
Advise
Owners get practical, confidential advice.
Train
They learn skills for their own business.
Connect
They meet mentors, partners and customers.
Grow
Businesses start, formalize and hire, supporting local jobs.
Standards before any funds
Before accepting funds from any partner, NBU intends to have these in place and to share them on request:
- Written financial controls and a separate account for restricted funds
- An anti-corruption and conflict-of-interest policy
- Sanctions and partner screening
- Data protection and privacy rules suited to each country
- A safeguarding policy
- A monitoring and evaluation plan with agreed indicators
These are commitments in progress, not certifications. Nothing here has been audited or approved by any agency.
Partner inquiry
Governments and organizations that want a center should use the request form. Funders, technology companies and other partners can write here. We reply to every message and sign nothing without written agreement from NBU's leadership.
Questions? We are glad to help.
Call (771) 241-9259 or write to info@nationbuilderuniversity.com. Tell us about your goals and we will point you to the right next step.