peninsula
Our Services
- If you live in or have a business in North San Mateo County >> Amanda Anthony
- If you live in or have a business in South San Mateo County >> Teresa Perez
- If you live in or have a business in San Jose or Santa Clara County >> Janet Viana
Business Certification
Renaissance Entrepreneurship Center’s (Renaissance) new BizCert program can help you build your capacity and secure certification as a Minority Business Enterprise (MBE), Woman Business Enterprise (WBE), or Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE). Your business must be in, or you must live in, San Mateo County. This will open doors for you to access contracting opportunities that can lead to significant growth in your bottom line.
Our Team
Renaissance Peninsula and South Bay


Nora Razon
Center Director, San Mateo Small Business Development
(650) 395-9130

Nadia Henze
Program Coordinator, San Mateo Small Business Development
(650) 395-9130







Beatriz Orozco
PT Program Assistant, South San Mateo County
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Start Smart
If you have a business idea, our Start Smart class will help you test the feasibility of that idea, develop foundational business skills and build your business network.
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Business Prep
If you have made steps toward starting a business, have taken an introductory class, or are ready for growth, Business Prep is your next best step on the path to success. You will learn business skills, develop financials, write an Action Plan and build networks with other like-minded entrepreneurial individuals and expert consultants.
Business Prep – 10 weeks (EAC)
This 10- week course provides an overview of target market analysis, fundamental business operations, and basic business finance principles. You...
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Plan de Negocios (SSF) – 10 semanas
Inscríbase a nuestra clase de Plan de negocios para aprender conceptos comerciales básicos y desarrollar su negocio. En esta clase...
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Workshops & Events
Continue to develop essential business skills, networks and knowledge with our workshops and special events.
Using QuickBooks 101: Part 2 (EAC 3/28/23)
You’ve got the basics; now make QuickBooks work especially for your business. The last part of this series will help...
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Start Smart (SSF – 4 Weeks)
This class will meet for 3 hours once a week for four weeks online via Zoom. If you are ready...
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Selling Wholesale (EAC 4/11/2023)
Are you looking to get your products wholesale to local businesses? It can be an excellent way to increase exposure...
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Women's Empowerment
Renaissance’s Women’s Business Center, a partnership with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), provides business training, access to capital and markets and support strategies that are essential to the successful growth of emerging and established women entrepreneurs in the San Francisco Bay Area.
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Grant Opportunities
California Microbusiness COVID-19 Relief Grant
The California Office of the Small Business Advocate has released new grant funding to benefit microbusinesses in San Mateo County. The last day to apply is April 30, 2023.
To receive this grant, you must:
- Have a business located in San Mateo County
- The business must have started before December 31, 2019
- The business must have been the main source of the business owner’s income in 2019
- The business must be legally operating (i.e. paying sales tax, registered with the state as appropriate)
- The business must have fewer than 5 employees (in 2019, 2020 and now)
- Have gross revenues (sales) under $50,000 in 2019 taxable year.
- Demonstrate at least a 10% decrease in revenues from 2019 to 2020.
- Not have received the California Small Business COVID-19 Relief Grant. If you received PPP, EIDL or any county grant, you are still eligible, if you meet the other criteria.
To begin the application process, complete the eligibility form below:
- English: https://forms.gle/7nkQLkZdp1AFonJ16
- Spanish: https://forms.gle/bUsdSsP7h1iHc22d6
- Tagalog: https://forms.gle/HNRQYFX2rFGcpknS9
- Chinese: https://forms.gle/BrnNQkcwhJobQEih7
If you have any questions, please contact Amanda Anthony at smcgrantapplication@rencenter.org.
Support hotlines for application assistance (available weekdays between 9:00am – 4:00pm)
English: 650-829-4651
Spanish: 650-829-4660
Chinese: 888-262-7552
Tagalog: 415-766-7059