Want to Start a Business in Massachusetts?
Last Updated: By TRUiC Team
This page is dedicated to the best resources for starting a business in Massachusetts.
Learn more about how to start a business in Massachusetts.
Or simply use a professional service and start your business today:
Business Resources in Massachusetts
Find the best resources to help create your informal business structure (sole proprietorship or partnership), corporation (S corp or C corp), limited liability company (single-member LLC or multi-member LLC), or how to file a DBA in Massachusetts.
Use the following business resources in Massachusetts to learn how to choose the best LLC services, file the Certificate of Organization, obtain an Employer Identification Number (EIN), and decide whether you should be your own registered agent or if you should hire a third-party registered agent service.
Becoming an Entrepreneur in Massachusetts
Just Starting Out
Every Massachusetts business starts out with a great idea. To get inspiration, you can try our business idea generator that can suggest businesses for you based on your interests and lifestyle.
Once you've found the perfect idea, it's time to create a game plan for your business. This step helps lay a solid foundation for the future of your company. You can move on to planning out your business with our business plan generator or simply browse our selection of startup ideas. We also have several helpful guides for planning out your business:
Coming Up With a Name
One of the most important decisions you will make for your business is coming up with a name and then seeing if it is available in Massachusetts. We have several naming tools and guides to help you get started with finding the perfect name for your Massachusetts startup, small business, nonprofit or corporation.
Different Types of Business Formation
A business structure refers to how a business is legally organized. The type of business structure you choose to form your business with can affect how your company is regulated, taxed, and more. Because of this, choosing the best structure for your business is an important decision to make. Below are guides on the different business structures you can choose to form your company so you can learn how to form a business that works best for you.
Forming Your Massachusetts Business
Now that you’ve created a business plan, found a name and chose your Massachusetts business structure, it's time to form your business. This process might seem complicated, but it doesn't have to be. And if you want to save time and have someone else handle the paperwork, you can use one of our recommended services, like ZenBusiness, which will help to form your company for you or you can form it yourself using our helpful guides and tools.
LLC Checklist
This Massachusetts Checklist for Starting an LLC covers the necessary steps you need to take when you create your LLC.
Formation Necessities
Here are the required documents and forms you may need to help you get your business up and running in Massachusetts.
Highly Recommended Services for Your Business
Depending on the type of business structure your choose and how large your business is, you may also want to consider using the following services for your Massachusetts startup:
Registered Agent
A Massachusetts registered agent is a person or business that sends and receives legal papers on behalf of your company. These documents include official correspondence like legal summons and state filing notices.
Massachusetts requires every business to nominate a registered agent when forming a small business. Your registered agent must be a Massachusetts resident or a corporation authorized to conduct business in that Massachusetts.
We also recommend hiring a professional registered agent service to provide you with peace of mind and help you stay compliant with the law.
DBA
Filing a “doing business as” (DBA) name, also known as a business certificate name, is an easy process that is achieved by registering a DBA in Massachusetts.
Branding
You can probably think of a dozen different companies in Massachusetts whose brands play an important role in your daily or professional life. Maybe you only buy certain brands or prefer to buy your groceries at one supermarket chain over another. Your dedication to these companies is primarily a result of one thing: their branding. Our branding guides and tools will go over the importance of branding your small business and provide some tips for getting started.
Financing Your Massachusetts Business
Small business finance is the raising and managing of funds to finance and operate a new small business. This includes banking, small business accounting, building business credit, and raising funds for your business.
When planning your Massachusetts business, you should determine what types of business funding options your company will need and when. Whether you are starting a low-cost business or starting a high-growth startup, knowing when to get funding and what kind of funding you need is important.
Setting Up a Bank Account
Opening a business checking account is one of the first things you will need to do as a new business. Business banking is a fundamental asset protection requirement for every business and, depending on your needs, may include checking accounts, savings accounts, credit cards, and merchant accounts.
Every new and small business needs a business bank account to pay their business insurance, take care of payroll, collect money, and enroll with a merchant account to accept credit card payments.
Check out our guide on the Best Banks for Small Business for help finding a banking account for your business.
Getting a Business Credit Card
Small business credit cards are designed for professional use and provide a line of credit to small businesses while helping to maintain personal asset protection. It is crucial for small businesses to have a small business credit card.
Our guides will help you understand the importance of having a small business credit card and provide the steps for finding and applying for the best credit card for your business.
Finding Small Business Loans
Getting a small business loan is done by applying with a business lender, typically your bank or another lending institution, with the right documentation and your business plan.
A business loan can help to resolve cash flow problems, leverage growth opportunities, and even increase the value of a business. Making sure to plan for a loan ahead of time is extremely important, as is knowing the documentation needed by your lender when you do apply.
Small Business Financing for Female Entrepreneurs
Grants, loans, government contracts, investors, scholarships, advisors, tutorials — there are plenty of financial resources for female entrepreneurs and women leaders, and we’ll help you discover the best ones for you and your business.
Maintaining Your Small Business
Congratulations! Fewer than 14% of Americans have realized the dream of business ownership. To keep your Massachusetts business running, make sure you keep up with required government filings and maintain a clear record of all earnings and expenses.
Make Sure Your Business is Compliant
When you start a small business, you’ll need to determine if your business needs any licenses or permits to stay compliant.
Set Up Accounting and Bookkeeping
Having a business accountant will help you take advantage of tax benefits and potentially save you and your Massachusetts business a lot of money in taxes each year.
Finding a business accountant as soon as you start your business will ensure that you have the best advice from the very beginning.
Recommended: Hiring an accountant can save your company thousands of dollars in taxes each year. Get a free tax consultation with 1-800Accountant.
Set Up a Business Phone
Getting a business phone number is important for many businesses. Having a phone number for your customers to contact you with can go a long way in ensuring that your business is viewed as professional, trustworthy, and legitimate.
There are also different business phone services and answering services that can ensure that you are able to answer more than one call simultaneously and that all of your customers feel heard. Check out our different phone tools and guides to help your Massachusetts business set up phone services.
Build a Business Website
With growing technology, more and more businesses are going online. We believe all companies need a website regardless of their industry or size to keep up with the times.
So, how do you build a website? Luckily, technology has recently caught up with the massive demand for tools to simplify website creation. It’s never been easier to build your own website without the need for any web designer experience.
Our tools and guides provide an overview of the steps to build a website for your Massachusetts business as well as suggestions for which tools to use based on your business type and knowledge level.
Business Resources for Women
Starting your own business is no small feat; thankfully, there are many valuable resources dedicated to helping women entrepreneurs start and succeed. From woman-owned business certification to grants for female entrepreneurs, we’ll help you discover the women's business resources that will help you get the most out of your entrepreneurial journey.
Massachusetts Business Resources
Massachusetts SBDC Network
The Massachusetts SBDC Network provides business advice and counseling to small business entrepreneurs. A one-on-one confidential business counseling is just part of its assistance programs though. The MSBDC also offers training and workshops on a variety of topics in running a small business. In addition, business guides and forms are also available on the actual page free for access.
Economic Development Council of Western Massachusetts
The Economic Development Council of Western Massachusetts provides a number of entrepreneur resources that are indispensable when it comes to starting a business successfully. From organizations that provide mentorship to startup incubators to state-level resources, the Western MA EDC is one resource page you shouldn’t pass up.
Smaller Business Association of New England
The New England Business Association is a nonprofit organization composed of hundreds of member companies and aims to provide practical information for small businesses to help them run and grow their venture. The New England Business Association features various yearly educational and networking activities for small businesses. It provides an opportunity for networking and establishing connections in the business world.
Assets for Artists
Assets for Artists is a collaboration program that offers a range of support services specifically for artist entrepreneurs. Assets for Artists has provided a number of grant programs and financing assistance to creative startup entrepreneurs. In addition, the organization also provides a number of vital links that can help creative artists get started with their small business ventures.
MassEcon
MassEcon is a private organization that helps in promoting Massachusetts as a premier location for business development. It provides on-the-ground services to help businesses start, grow, and thrive within the state. As part of its continued efforts to cater to the needs of businesses, MassEcon features a number of vital resources for Massachusetts startups.
MA Association of Business Incubators
The MA Association of Business Incubators was created to increase the support for incubation programs within the state of Massachusetts. MABI provides businesses in Massachusetts with a comprehensive collection of information on incubators and startup programs to help them in various aspects of starting a business.
Quincy Center for Innovation
Quincy Center for Innovation is a flexible coworking space that provides a number of startup base services and resources. QCI features an environment conducive for collaboration and co-working. QCI is more than just the usual workspace for it provides all-encompassing programs that help startups and early-stage businesses thrive and grow.
Team Launch
Team Launch provides assistance in building the next generation of commerce companies by equipping businesses with various resources and tools. Using proprietary vetting techniques, best business practices, and advanced data insights technology, Team Launch can help create your dream business.
CIC Cambridge
CIC Cambridge is a coworking space that is a special place for startups. CIC provides every startup with the necessary office space to get started on great ideas and a successful business. If you’re looking for an open desk, a private office or meeting rooms, CIC has all these and more.
Raizlabs
Raizlabs provides various startup assistance services and office spaces to startup companies focused in mobile apps, from development, design to strategy. Raizlabs incubation services, as well as mentorship programs, aim to develop startups.
Community Coworking Collaboration
Community Coworking Collaboration or simply C3 is an excellent coworking space with a vibrant community. It is the largest coworking center that offers a place where startups can thrive with an awesome support network working together to make your dreams happen. Various working areas in C3 include single desks, shared tables, huddle rooms, and other facilities to accomplish business operations.
Koa Labs
Koa Labs supports founders who have the passion to start their very own independent companies. Koa Labs has shared desks with free access to the Koa Network, a dedicated desk with 24/7 access to conference rooms, and a private office, fully furnished with everything you need to run a successful startup.
Impact Hub Boston
Impact Hub Boston is both a working space and a small community that promotes unconventional solutions, creative concepts, and awesome collaborations. As a community, they welcome members who are looking to make a significant difference. Impact Hub Boston offers hot desks, meeting spaces, events space, and exhibition space. The company also regularly comes up with carefully thought out member-driven events.
SCORE
SCORE is a nonprofit organization that provides business mentorship and coaching to new and existing businesses and entrepreneurs who want to succeed in the business industry. These programs are given by volunteers, expert professionals and business consultants who want to educate young entrepreneurs so that they’ll be able to contribute to the economic development of the nation.
U.S. Small Business Administration
The U.S. Small Business Administration is a government agency and the main source of small business resources and tools in the country. It has numerous programs from loans and grants, local assistance, business management training, workshops, events and a lot more.