Educating entrepreneurs through technology

The Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 631 et seq.) is amended by redesignating section 44 as section 45 and by inserting the following new section after section 43:

44.

Educating and networking entrepreneurs through technology

(a)

Purpose

The purpose of this section is to provide distance learning and opportunities for the exchange of peer-to-peer technical assistance through online networking to potential and existing entrepreneurs through the use of technology. (b)

Definition

As used in this section, the term qualified third-party vendor means an entity with experience in distance learning content or communications technology, or both, with the ability to utilize on-line, satellite, video-on-demand, and connected community-based organizations to distribute and conduct distance learning and establish an online network for use by potential and existing entrepreneurs to facilitate the exchange of peer-to-peer technical assistance related to entrepreneurship, credit management, financial literacy, and Federal small business development programs. (c)

Authority

The Administrator shall contract with qualified third-party vendors for entrepreneurial training content, the development of communications technology that can distribute content under this section throughout the United States, and the establishment of a nationwide, online network for the exchange of peer-to-peer technical assistance. The Administrator shall contract with at least two qualified third-party vendors to develop content. (d)

Content

The Administrator shall ensure that the content referred to in subsection (c) is timely and relevant to entrepreneurial development and can be successfully communicated remotely to an audience through the use of technology. The Administrator shall, to the maximum extent practicable, promote content that makes use of technologies that allow for remote interaction by the content provider with an audience. The Administrator shall ensure that the content is catalogued and accessible to small businesses on-line or through other remote technologies. (e)

Communications technology

The Administrator shall ensure that the communications technology referred to in subsection (c) is able to distribute content throughout all 50 States and the territories of the United States to small business concerns, home-based businesses, Small Business Development Centers, Women’s Business Centers, Veterans Business Centers, SCORE chapters, and the Small Business Administration and network entrepreneurs throughout all 50 States and the territories of the United States to allow for peer-to-peer learning through the creation of a location online that allows entrepreneurs and small business owners the opportunity to exchange technical assistance through the sharing of information. To the extent possible, the qualified third-party vendor should deliver the content and facilitate the networking using broadband technology. (f)

Reports to Congress

The Administrator shall submit a report to Congress 6 months after the date of the enactment of this section containing an analysis of the Small Business Administration’s progress in implementing this section. The Administrator shall submit a report to Congress 1 year after the date of the enactment of this section and annually thereafter containing the number of presentations made under this section, the number of small businesses served under this section, the extent to which this section resulted in the establishment of new businesses, and feedback on the usefulness of this medium in presenting entrepreneurial education and facilitating the exchange of peer-to-peer technical assistance throughout the United States. (g)

Authorization of appropriations

There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $2,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2010 and 2011.