In 1996 the U S government eliminated federal funding for Small Business Institutes, resulting in a significant loss of formal SBI membership. A poll of Small Business Institute Directors Association members identified five schools that had started new SBI programs since 1996, despite the lack of federal funding. The authors conducted a survey of these five new SBI programs. The authors conclude that starting new SBI programs is a viable means of offering students hands-on business experience despite the lack of federal funding