Small Business Investment Companies (SBICs) are privately-owned venture capital firms licensed by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), which use their own funds and those obtained at favorable rates with an SBA guarantee (or by selling their preferred stock to the SBA), to provide equity capital, long-term loans, debt equity investments and management assistance to qualifying small businesses. While most SBICs consider a wide variety of investment opportunities, others may elect to specialize in a certain field of business. SBA- licensed Specialized Small Business Investment Companies (SSBICS) target their investments to small businesses owned by entrepreneurs who are socially and/or economically disadvantaged.

In order to qualify for SBIC financing, a company (including its parent, subsidiaries and affiliates) must have a net worth of $18 million or less and average net income for the preceding two years not exceeding $6 million. Alternative standards are available for those industries where the above standards are too low.   

http://www.banking.state.ny.us/sba/equity.htm