The Florida SBDC Network provides tools, training and resources to help small businesses grow and succeed. Designated as “Florida’s principal provider of small business assistance [§ 288.001, Fla. Stat.],” the Florida SBDC Network has more than 40 offices from Pensacola to Key West to serve the needs of Florida’s business community.
Contents
History
The Florida SBDC Network was founded in 1976. The FSBDC was started at the University of West Florida as one of the eight original state-based Small Business Development Center pilots funded by the U.S. Small Business Administration. Other participating schools in the program were California State Polytechnic University at Pomona, California State University at Chico, The University of Georgia, University of Missouri, the University of Nebraska at Omaha, Rutgers University and the University of Southern Maine. The schools were chosen based on their pre-existing efforts to further the business community in their areas.
The goal of these SBDC pilots was to link the state’s higher education system to community outreach, specifically to aid in the development and education of Florida's entrepreneurs and small business community. Today, the FSBDC is one of the 63 SBA funded SBDC programs. These SBDC programs are located in every state and US territory.
Originating as one man at the University of West Florida overseeing two centers in Northwest Florida and serving a handful of clients, the Florida SBDC Network has since grown to over 40 centers and nearly 250 employees providing tools, training, and expertise to thousands of Florida’s entrepreneurs and small business owners annually.
The FSBDC is state designated as Florida’s Principal Provider of Business Assistance and is the only statewide provider of entrepreneurial services in Florida.
Support and funding
The Network is supported by the following institutions in Florida: University of West Florida, Florida A&M University, University of North Florida, University of Central Florida, University of South Florida, Florida Gulf Coast University, Indian River State College, Palm Beach State College and Florida International University.
The Florida SBDC Network is funded in part by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), Defense Logistics Agency, State of Florida and other private and public partners, with the University of West Florida serving as the Network’s designated lead host institution. The Florida SBDC Network is nationally accredited by the Association of SBDC s.
Services
The Florida SBDC’s primary services:
Services include:
Small business classifications
Florida SBDCs serve the needs of organizations that meet the definition of a small business. The FSBDCN separates small businesses into three markets: pre-venture individuals, start-up businesses, and small and medium-sized enterprises.
- Pre-Venture Individuals are defined as individuals exploring the possibility of starting new business. They have no employees, no sales, and have not secured financing.
- Start-up businesses are defined as individuals in business for less than three years. They are defined by the amount of time they have been in business and not by their employment of revenues. They are generally in the phase of development with prospect for growth.
- Small and medium size enterprises have been in business for three or more years with 5 or more full-time employees.
Accreditation
The FSBDC has been designated by the state of Florida as the principal provider of business assistance in the state. The FSBDC is accredited by the National Association of Small Business Development Centers, based on the Malcolm Balrige Performance Quality Standards.
Impact and reach
In 2015, Florida SBDCs delivered over 113,000 hours of business consulting to more than 12,000 client businesses. According to the Florida SBDC’s most recent annual report, as a result of this assistance, client businesses created, retained and saved 32,398 jobs; grew sales $4.8 billion; acquired $301 million in government contract awards; accessed $276.8 million in capital investments; and started 404 new businesses.
A recent independent survey, the Economic Impact of the SBDC Business Development Activities on the Florida Economy, the Florida SBDC Network returns $41.07 to the state economy for every $1 invested. In the past year, the Network was able to help create, retain, or save 43,856 at an average cost of $118.51, a number well below comparable economic organizations.
Recognition
In June 2016, the network received the Florida Sterling Best Practice Award for its annual Quality Improvement Program review process of the network’s 10 regional centers.
In May 2016, Florida SBDC at UNF client Endoscopy Replacement Parts was awarded the 2016 National Exporter of the Year by the SBA during National Small Business Week. Also in May, the network was honored to receive the President’s “E” Award for Export Service, the highest achievement any entity in the country can achieve for making a significant contribution to the expansion of U.S. exports.
In March 2016, three graduate student teams from UWF and UCF were awarded top honors by the Small Business Institute (SBI®) during its 40th Annual Academic Conference for consulting projects involved Florida SBDC small business clients.
In December 2012,SBDC at the University of Central Florida's Regional Director, Eunice Choi, was recognized by University of Central Florida President John C. Hitt as one of UCF’s highest-funded contract and grant recipients. Choi helped raise over one million dollars in external Fiscal Year 2012 funding for the university and its College of Business Administration, the sponsoring institution for the Small Business Development Center at UCF.
In May 2012, local commissioners in the Palm Beach, Florida, passed the SBDC at Palm Beach's proclamation dedicating May as "Small Business Month". Different centers throughout the state celebrated Small Business Month by hosting special events and training sessions.
In November 2011, the SBDC at the University of South Florida was commended by the Tampa Bay City Council for "building and strengthening a sustainable local business economy." They were also mentioned in a proclamation from Tampa's mayor, Bob Buckhorn. The proclamation recognized the center for " providing consulting and low-cost training, delivering tools, plans, and expertise to entrepreneurs to accelerate growth and success in a competitive market including assistance with international trade, governmental contracting, women and minority certifications, and internet strategies."
Network Headquarters
Florida SBDC Network Headquarters was established in Pensacola after one of the eight original SBDC pilots were started at the University of West Florida (UWF). UWF is the lead host institution in the Florida SBDC Network. While each SBDC must report to its host institution, all centers must report to Network Headquarters in Pensacola. Network Headquarters is responsible for all programmatic activities and financial reporting to partners. Florida SBDC Network Headquarters works directly with all funding partners to ensure each of the offices in Florida are properly allocating the funding given to them.
UWF has primary responsibility for administering the Florida SBDC Network Program and providing leadership, administrative services, and coordination with the SBA through the Cooperative Agreement.