The American Small Business League was formed in 2004. It was founded by small business owners who were increasingly frustrated by abuses and loopholes, which have allowed large corporations to receive billions of dollars in federal small business contracts.

The ASBL's roots are based in an association of computer software and equipment re-sellers seeking proper implementation of the Small Business Act. With the futures of their small businesses in mind, these small business owners formed the Microcomputer Industry Suppliers Association.

Throughout the late 1990s, MISA worked hard to address this issue in Washington and around the country. Their efforts attracted media attention, and were responsible for pressuring members of Congress for a remedy. Additionally, while working for a solution MISA dealt directly with the Small Business Administration under both Democratic and Republican presidencies. Despite their efforts, little measurable change took place.

In 2003, Representative Nydia M. Velazquez (D-NY), ranking member of the House Committee on Small Business, issued the fourth annual scorecard report evaluating 21 federal agencies, accounting for 96 percent of federal procurement. She was highly critical of their inability to reach the mandated small business procurement goal. "Even though the government bought more last year, it still failed to meet a single one of its small business goals for the third straight year, " the report said.

As a result of missing the small business procurement goal -- 23 percent of the total value of all prime contracts -- small businesses missed out on an estimated $13.8 billion in federal contracting opportunities.

In July 2003 Representative Velazquez stated, "Small businesses just need a chance - a foot in the door so they can show federal agencies what they can do. After all, small businesses are the lifeline of the American economy. I know that, you know that. Now we just need the federal government to figure it out."

In 2004, the Microcomputer Industry Suppliers Association realized that companies in every industry shared the problems of its members. As a means of serving the needs of all small businesses competing for federal contracts the members of MISA formed the American Small Business League.