Small business launch pad · Nationwide
The official one-stop shop for small businesseswhere startups take off.
Think of us as your launch pad. We get founders across the U.S. registered, certified and contract-ready, then help you build momentum: licensing, certifications, supplier diversity, brand, website and marketing, from one team with one flight plan.
Certified & credentialed
Minority-Owned Enterprise
Certification pending
Certification pending
USBC MemberThe StartUp Shop Path
Five steps from launch pad to lift-off.
Each step pairs with one of our services, so you always know what's next. Start on the launch pad or jump in wherever your business is today.
Supplier diversity by the numbers
Public contracting is a huge opportunity.
Federal numbers from the U.S. Small Business Administration, plus the state and local programs in the DC, Maryland and Virginia region.
FY2025 federal contract spending
The government beat its 23% small-business goal, even though small-business dollars dipped from $183.5B the year before.
Share of federal contract dollars vs. goal, FY2025
Women-owned and HUBZone goals were missed again. That's room for certified firms to win more.
SBA 8(a) program
in 8(a) awards in FY2025, down $1.5B, the largest drop in a decade.
firms removed from 8(a) after SBA's program audit.
2026 policy changes at a glance
- Jan 2026The small disadvantaged business (SDB) goal returns to the statutory 5%, down from the 15% policy goal set for 2025.
- Mar 2026SBA's new agency scorecard adds weight for serving veterans (15%) and fraud prevention (10%), and calls for fewer sole-source 8(a) awards.
- Aug 2026Final rule ends the race-based presumption of social disadvantage in 8(a). New applicants must document disadvantage and material harm.
- Sep 10, 2026The 8(a) rule takes effect. Current participants keep their status and aren't re-reviewed.
Sources: SBA FY2025 Small Business Procurement Scorecard via Federal News Network (June 2026); SBA 8(a) final rule, Aug. 11, 2026; Federal News Network (April 2026); 15 U.S.C. §644(g). Figures are rounded.
Washington, DC
of each agency's expendable budget is the goal for contracts with certified small business enterprises.
Get certified: DSLBD Certified Business Enterprise (CBE)
Virginia
of state agencies' discretionary spending is the target for small, women- and minority-owned (SWaM) businesses.
Get certified: SBSD SWaM certification
Maryland
statewide MBE participation goal. Agencies reached 17.85% in FY2023, about $1.2B of $6.8B, leaving room to grow.
Get certified: MDOT MBE/DBE
Prince George's County
minimum participation by county-based MBEs on county procurements of $1 million or more, starting January 2026.
Get certified: County MBE / County-Based Business
Opportunity spotlight · Washington, DC
The new Commanders stadium at the RFK campus
The nearly $4 billion stadium project has committed 40% of project spending to D.C. businesses, and that commitment is written into the agreement between the District and the team. Demolition is underway, the stadium is targeted for the 2030 NFL season, and contracts for vendors and firms are being released now.
To compete, you'll need DC Certified Business Enterprise (CBE) certification. Eligibility depends on factors like where your principal office is and how many owners or employees live in D.C. We'll check your eligibility, file your CBE application and get you ready to bid.
Recent DMV changes
- Nov 2025Prince George's County adopts a voluntary Community Wealth Building Compact: participating institutions aim to spend 10% of procurement with Black-owned businesses.
- Nov 2025County Council enacts CB-070-2025, requiring 15% county-based MBE participation on $1M+ procurements.
- Jan 2026The 15% Prince George's County requirement takes effect.
- Feb 2026D.C. opens contracting for the RFK campus and Commanders stadium, with 40% of project spending committed to D.C. businesses. Its FY2026 small-business spending goal is $1.5 billion.
- May 2026A bill to write Virginia's 42% SWaM target into law is vetoed. The target stays in place by executive order.
Sources: D.C. Code §2-218.41; Virginia Executive Order 35 (2019) and HB 61 (2026); Maryland MBE participation, FY2023, as reported in BmoreNews' 2026 Maryland MBE scorecard; Prince George's County CB-070-2025 and CR-086-2025 (Dec. 17, 2025 release); RFK campus figures from WTOP and WJLA (Feb. 2026) and D.C. Act 26-150. Goals are targets, not guarantees.
We strive to make it easier.
Licenses, applications, certifications and marketing can feel like a full-time job. We take the paperwork and the guesswork off your plate and complete the applications for you.
We build better business.
A strong business needs a solid foundation and a brand people trust. We set up both, so you show up credible to buyers, agencies and customers.
Start with the foundation
Every launch starts on solid ground.
Before you can pursue certifications, grants, contracts or funding, your business has to be properly registered in your state, with the right licenses, an EIN and a SAM.gov profile. We make sure every filing is done right so nothing slows you down later.
Selected past clients
Founders we've helped launch.
From consulting firms to medical suppliers, we've helped businesses get licensed, certified and ready to compete.
Certification support
Marketing & design
Certification support
Marketing & designTestimonials
What our clients say.
Real words from founders we've helped launch, certify and grow.
I had the vision but no idea where to begin. The StartUp Shop turned my ideas into an actionable plan for contracting and guided me through every step with patience and clarity. I finally feel confident calling myself a business owner!
Small business ownerIT firmContracting supportThe StartUp Shop took my product concept and turned it into a brand that truly stands out. Every detail was intentional, polished and aligned with my vision. The quality exceeded my expectations!
Small business ownerBeauty product businessMarketing & designProfessional, detail-oriented and truly knowledgeable from our very first conversation. Every recommendation was thoughtful and strategic. I gained more than a service provider. I gained a trusted business resource.
Small business ownerConsulting firmBusiness consultingLatest from Resources
Blog & news
Ready for lift-off? Let's create something extraordinary together.
Start your launchAbout us
Built for the dreamers, the doers and the determined.
The StartUp Shop is a modern, people-first launch pad for small businesses: consulting and creative services under one roof. We're a minority-owned enterprise headquartered in Washington, DC, and we work with founders nationwide.
Meet the founder
Alicea M. Gay
CEO & Principal Consultant
With over a decade in the small-business sector, Alicea brings deep experience in business development, management consulting, marketing, community relations and project management, much of it working closely with C-suite executives.
She founded The StartUp Shop to make entrepreneurship easier, clearer and more inclusive, especially for first-time founders from communities that have been shut out of business ownership and public contracting.
Honors & press
Recognized for championing small business.
Alicea's work with founders has been honored nationally and featured in publications across business and media.
USBC Power 50 Women of Influence Honoree
Power 100 Who's Who of America
“Marquis Who's Who Honors Alicea Gay for Expertise in Business Development” ↗Published thought leadership
Published contributor on AfroTech.com
“Op-Ed: Advocating For Change And The Importance Of Policy Support For Black-Owned Businesses” ↗
Published industry study with Ipsos
Co-authored national study by ByBlack and the Fund for Social Equity, conducted by Ipsos with 4,500 U.S. adults.
“National Study Reveals that Seals Which Show a Business is Black-Owned Can Increase Consumer Spending” (PDF) ↗As featured in
Our mission
Simplify the journey of entrepreneurship.
We give small business owners expert support, strategic guidance and essential resources, with a focus on minority-owned and women-led ventures. From licenses and certifications to websites and branded materials, we walk alongside founders at every step.
Our vision
Entrepreneurship that's accessible and sustainable.
We see a future where background, race and gender are sources of strength, not barriers, and where businesses are built to last. We aim to be the go-to hub for emerging entrepreneurs nationwide seeking clarity, structure and support to launch and keep growing.
Our differentiators
What sets our launch pad apart.
Plenty of firms can file a form or design a logo. Here's why founders choose The StartUp Shop.
One shop, one flight plan
Registration, certification, supplier diversity, brand, website and marketing under one roof. No juggling vendors, and your story matches everywhere buyers look.
We file it for you
We don't hand you a checklist and wish you luck. We prepare and complete your applications, then walk you through what you're signing.
Every level of certification
Federal, state, city and county programs plus third-party certifiers like NMSDC, WBENC and ByBlack, matched to the buyers you want.
Built by a certification insider
Our founder is the co-architect of the ByBlack Platform, a national Black business directory and certification, and knows how certifiers and buyers think.
We've walked the path
We're a certified minority-owned enterprise ourselves, with 10+ years in small-business operations, communications and growth.
Nationwide reach, local know-how
We serve founders in every state, with deep expertise in DC, Maryland and Virginia programs where our roots are.
Did you know?
By law, the federal government aims to award at least 23% of its prime contract dollars to small businesses every year.
In fiscal year 2025, small businesses won about $179 billion in federal prime contracts, nearly 28% of the total. Getting registered and certified is how your business gets its share.
Sources: 15 U.S.C. §644(g); SBA FY2025 Small Business Procurement Scorecard.
Our core values
How we show up for you.
We believe in creativity, collaboration and excellence. These are the guiding principles behind every project.
Creativity with purpose
Every design and strategy serves your goals, not just the look.
Clarity & transparency
Plain language, clear timelines and no surprises about what's next.
Collaboration
We work with you, side by side. You stay in charge of your business.
Excellence & precision
Applications done right the first time, so approvals aren't delayed.
Who we serve
Founders in every state.
We work virtually with businesses across the country, with hands-on expertise in federal programs, state and local certifications, and corporate supplier-diversity programs. Our roots are in the Washington, DC region, where we know the local programs inside and out.
Services
Five steps from idea to lift-off.
Every service fits one step of the StartUp Shop Path. Pick the step you need or let us run the whole path. Fees depend on what you need; after a free consultation we send a full proposal with pricing.
For procurement officers
Our NAICS codes
The industry classifications we're registered under, and how each one applies to the work we do.
| NAICS code | Industry classification | How it applies |
|---|---|---|
| 541611 | Administrative Management & General Management Consulting | Business startup consulting, formation guidance, business planning, operational strategy and growth consulting. |
| 541613 | Marketing Consulting Services | Marketing strategy, brand positioning, social media strategy, content planning and marketing advisory services. |
| 541430 | Graphic Design Services | Logo design, brand identity development, marketing collateral, presentations, flyers and visual branding. |
| 541810 | Advertising Agencies | Advertising campaign development, promotional content, social media campaigns and creative marketing services. |
| 541990 | All Other Professional, Scientific & Technical Services | Specialized business support services that don't fit a more specific classification. |
| 561320 | Temporary Help Services | — |
For procurement officers & partners
Our capability statement
Core competencies, certifications, NAICS codes, differentiators and past clients, on one page.
Client showcase
Launch stories, client by client.
A look at the founders and organizations we've worked with and what we delivered: marketing and design, business licensing, certification support and more.
Where our clients are
Launching founders nationwide.
From the DMV to the West Coast. Hover over or tap a highlighted state to see how many clients we've served there.
Ready to write your own launch story?
Contact usCertification qualification check
Which certifications does your firm qualify for?
Answer a few questions about your business, its owners and who you sell to. We'll match you to federal, state, local/city/county, MBE and third-party certification programs, and show why.
Resources
Fuel for founders.
Our blog and news: practical guides on certifications, contracting, funding and running your business.
FAQ
Good questions, straight answers.
Certifications, registration and working with us. Don't see your question? Ask it in your consult request.
Contact
Ready for lift-off?
One email is all it takes. We'll follow up with next steps and a proposal.
Book a free consultation
Email us and we'll take it from there.
Tell us a little about your business and what you need. We'll reply with next steps and set up your free one-on-one consultation.
Clicking opens a new email to alicea@thestartupshopllc.com in your mail app. If nothing opens, copy the address below.