SMALL BUSINESS ECOSYSTEM SARASOTA COUNTY · ThE SMALL BUSINESS ECOSYSTEM This booklet is intended...

SMALL BUSINESS ECOSYSTEMSARASOTA COUNTY

ThE SMALL BUSINESS ECOSYSTEM

This booklet is intended to guide companies through the landscape of business assistance that exists in Sarasota County. There are a myriad of local organizations whose core missions are to help local businesses grow through the provision of workforce assistance, consulting services, regulatory assistance, industry expertise, networking, various grants, and incentives. This guide will highlight these organizations, with explanations of their purpose, programs and means of contact. Any of the organizations in this guide are well equipped to handle your needs in their specific area, as well as help you integrate with any of the other providers that can deliver value. Sarasota County values our businesses, and strives to contribute to their success through this network of providers.

2

finAnCing HOW TO finD A finAnCiAL gROWing WORkfORCe inDuSTRy BuSineSS eDuCATiOn gRAnTS& ReguLATORy START A LOCATiOn MAnAgeRiAL yOuR ASSiSTAnCe eXPeRTiSe ReSeARCH SeRViCeS inCenTiVeS PeRMiTTing BuSineSS ASSiSTAnCe BuSineSS neTWORking ASSiSTAnCe

Bridge Angel Investors X

CareerEdge X X X X X

CareerSource Suncoast X X X X X X

EDC of Sarasota County X X X X X X

Enterprise Florida X X

Florida Makes X X X X X X

Foundation for X

XFinancial Education

Grow FL X X X X X

SAMA X X X X

SBDC X X X X X

SCORE X X X X X

COnSuLTing SeRViCeS

SERVICES / PROGRAMS Bridge’smembersaretypicallyretiredFortune500seniorexecutivesandsuccessfulentrepreneurs.Theycanbenewtoinvestingorlong-timeinvestors.Forthisreason,Bridgeprovideseducationalseminarsforitsmembersonawidevarietyoftopicsrelatedtoangelinvesting,anassetclassofitsown.Topicsincludebestmethodsforscreening,conductingduediligence,defining term sheets and quantifying the risks versus Return on Investment. For startups requesting to pitch to Bridge, mentoring and feedback are also offered to help startups be successful, if not in the short term then in the longer term. In order to fulfillthat purpose, Bridge will provide feedback to the startups duringthepre-fundingscreeningandduediligencephasesandmentoringpost-funding.Evenforstartupsnotchosentomoveforward to the next phase of due diligence, specific reasons are given and they are encouraged to return once they have worked ontheirrespectiveissues.Forstartupsthatarefunded,Bridgemembers will hold a Board seat or take on a role on the company’s AdvisoryBoardtocontinuetoguidethemonapathtosuccess.

CONTACT

Wendi Chapman, executive Director

Sarasota, florida 34239

email: [email protected]: 202-270-5607

www.bridgeangelinvestors.com

MISSION

fund and mentor primarily early-stage startups in the Sarasota-Manatee region and throughout florida.

dESCRIPTION Bridge Angel Investors is a group of private, qualified investors whoresideintheSarasota-ManateeareafundingstartupsfromacrossFlorida.Thereasonissimple:Floridaisoneofthemostattractivestatesforbothinvestorsandstartups.Itisthemeccaforwealthyretireeswithsuccessfulcareersasexecutivesandinvestors who want to make a social impact by investing and mentoringyoungstartups.

Thedatasupportsthis.AccordingtoaSmallBusiness&Entrepreneurship Council Florida is the fifth best state to start abusiness.Otherreportscitethegrowingriseofangelfunds,incubators,topuniversities,lowcostoflivingand,ofcourse,theweather. And the data just keeps getting better. Inc.com reported that340ofits2018Inc.5000listoffastestgrowingprivatecompaniesarelocatedinFlorida.

The outlook is also promising for young entrepreneurs, especially in the Sarasota-Manatee region. According to MoneyRates.com, theytoppedthelistin2017asthebestcityinFloridatostarttheirownbusinessventures.InJune,2019,Sarasotawasrecognizedasthe#2BestSmallCitytoStartaSmallBusinessinastudyconductedbyVerizon.

Forthesereasons,BridgeAngelInvestorshasbecomeanimportantpartoftheentrepreneurialecosystem,playingitsparttoco-createwealthforitsmembersandfortheeconomyasawhole.

3

4

CONTACT

Mireya C. eavey, executive Vice President,Careeredge & education initiatives

The greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce 1945 fruitville Rd.Sarasota, florida 34236

email: [email protected]: 941.556.4038

www.careeredgefunders.org

MISSION

Careeredge’s mission is to provide an exceptional labor force to the region’s growing industries by leveraging community assets and forming high-performing workforce partnerships.

dESCRIPTION CareerEdge, a workforce initiative of The Greater Sarasota ChamberofCommerce,strivestounderstandemployerneeds,designingastrategytoaddressneedswhilefuelingeconomicgrowth for employers, workers and educators. Target industries include:healthcare,manufacturing,constructiontrades,TDLandinsurance.

SERVICES / PROGRAMS CareerEdge uses a formal process to develop its partnership strategy by:

• Drawing on labor market information and other economicinsight

• Engaging key stakeholders in the region

• Identifyingtheindustrysectorthathasemploymentand advancement for workers in our region

• Generating system change by having a well-articulatedstrategy forgeneratingchangeinpublicpolicy,institutionalbehavior and job quality

• Employerledindustrypartnershipsbasedonmarket demand

• Serving under employed and middle skilled individualsby creatingupwardmobilityopportunities

MISSION

To recruit, train, and retain talent for employers on the Suncoast.

dESCRIPTION CareerSource Suncoast is a private, non-profit corporation with aBoardofDirectors,consistingofprivatebusiness,economicdevelopmentandeducationrepresentatives,communityandstateagencies, and elected officials. Members of the board represent thediversityofbusinesses,organizationsandtradesthatoperateinManateeandSarasotacounties.Ourprimaryfocusistohelpbusinesses grow by providing workforce solutions for talent recruitment and development, and helping job seekers and workers manage their careers.

SERVICES / PROGRAMS CareerSourceSuncoastoffersavarietyofno-feeandfor-feeservicestoassistemployersinrecruiting,training,andretainingthe workforce they need for the 21st Century.

RECRUITING

• JobPostingsatwww.employflorida.com• Job Seeker Referrals• Labor Market Information• OnsiteHiringEvents• Drug and Background Testing• DiscountedJobAdvertisements• JobFairs

TRAINING

• Connectionstoalllocalcollegesandschools• On-the-Job Training Grants to fill future openings• Employed Worker Training Grants, reimbursing costs for existing employees to get new credentials or certificates• Registered Apprenticeship Sponsor• HR and Benefits Services • Workforce Training Resources• StateofJobsConference• Skills Assessments

RETENTION

• Incumbent Worker Training Grants• OrganizationalEngagementSurvey• StateofTalentConference

ThRIVE

ASuncoastbasedbusinessaccelerator.Itsupportstheregionalentrepreneurial community with flexible and affordable workspace, tech-centric tools, and skill development resources.

CONTACT

Anthony gagliano, Director of Business and economic Development

3660 north Washington Boulevard, Sarasota, florida 34234


www.careersourcesuncoast.com5

Ad VALOREM TAx ExEMPTION (AVAILABLE IN UNINCORPORATEd SARASOTA COUNTY AS wELL AS ThE CITIES Of SARASOTA, VENICE ANd NORTh PORT)

TheEconomicDevelopmentAdValoremTaxExemption(EDAVTE)programisdesignedtoencouragenewbusinessestorelocatetoSarasotaCounty.Inaddition,itservesasacatalystforexistingbusinessestoexpand,creatingnewjobopportunitiesForresidentswithinthecountyandthecitiesofSarasota,Venice,andNorthPort.Thisprogramauthorizesthecounty,andthoserespectivecities’ commissions, to grant qualifying businesses a property tax exemptionofupto100percentforupto10years,onbothrealandtangiblepersonalproperty.

MOBILITY fEE MITIGATION

TheMobilityFeeMitigationprogramallowsthecountytolessenupto100%ofmobility(impact)feeschargedtooffsetcapitalimprovementstothecountyresultingfromgrowth.Thesefeescomeintheformofshort-termcosts,typicallypaidbeforeabuilding permit or certificate of occupancy is issued. Mitigation isdesignedtofostereconomicdevelopmentbyencouragingtheexpansionandattractionoftargetedindustries,especiallythosethat primarily benefit the residents of Sarasota County.

(Continued)

MISSION

To grow, diversify, and sustain the economy of Sarasota County while enhancing our unique, natural and cultural environment.

dESCRIPTION TheEconomicDevelopmentCorporationofSarasotaCountyisapublic/privatepartnershipfocusedongrowingexistingbusinessesandstrategicallydiversifyingtheeconomyofSarasotaCounty.Itassists new and existing businesses by providing confidential project management, rapid permitting, building/site review, market research, workforce assistance, incentives/financing, and exportassistance.

SERVICES / PROGRAMS TheEconomicDevelopmentCorporationisavailabletoassistcompaniesofallsizesandscope.Allofourservicesarefreeofcharge.TheEDC’sBusinessDevelopmentServicesinclude

• Confidential Project Management• Rapid Permitting/Regulatory Navigation• Building & Site Review• Market Research• Workforce Assistance• Incentives• ExportingAssistance• Connectionstootheressentialbusinessresource agencies /organizations

6

CONTACT

Destin Wells, Vice President, Business Development

1680 fruitville Road, Suite 402Sarasota, florida 34236

email: [email protected]: 941.309.1200, ext. 101

www.edcsarasotacounty.com

ECONOMIC dEVELOPMENT INCENTIVE fUNd (EdIf)

SarasotaCountyhasestablishedanEconomicDevelopmentIncentiveProgramdesignedtoretain/expandcurrentbusinessesinandattractnewbusinessestoSarasotaCounty.Theprogramisbasedonpay-for-performancestandardsandfocusesoncompaniesidentified by Enterprise Florida or County Resolution as Qualified Targeted Industries, specified as job creators and/or offering higher than average wages. Additional economic benefits to the communityarealsoconsidered.

RAPId PERMITTING PROGRAM (SMART)

A fast-track permitting system, the Sarasota Means Action Response Team (SMART) Program will allow targeted industry companieswishingtoexpandorrelocateinSarasotaCountytodevelopafacilitywithinatimeframethatmeetscorporategoalsand deadlines. This time frame is usually shorter than working throughthesystemwithoutspecialassistance.

The SMART program doesn’t eliminate or circumvent existing landuseregulationsorconstructionstandards;itacceleratestheprocess by making certain determinations and decisions about thedevelopmentofthelandandfacilitiesinamoreexpeditiousmanner.

7

• Research and Development Tax Creditisavailabletoa business enterprise that has qualified research expenses in Floridainthetaxableyearexceedingthebaseamountand, forthesametaxableyear,claimsandisallowedaresearch credit for such qualified research expenses. The credit is equal to 10 percent of the excess qualified research expenses in Florida that exceeds the average Florida qualified research expensesallowedtothepreviousfourtaxyears(baseamount).

• Sales and Use Tax Exemption on Machinery and Equipment Used for Research and Developmentisavailableon machinery and equipment used predominantly for research anddevelopmentareexemptfromsalesandusetax.Eligibility “Machinery and equipment” includes, but is not limited to, molds,dies,machinetooling,otherappurtenancesor accessories to machinery and equipment, testing and measuring equipment, test beds, computers, and software, whetherpurchasedorself-fabricated,and,ifself-fabricated, includesmaterialsandlaborfordesign,fabrication, andassembly.

CONTACT

Tim Vanderhoof, Senior Vice President, Business Development

800 north Magnolia Avenue Suite 1100Orlando, fL 32803


www.enterpriseflorida.com

MISSION

To expand and diversify the state’s economy through job creation.

dESCRIPTION EnterpriseFlorida,Inc.(EFI)isapublic-privatepartnershipbetweenFlorida’sbusinessandgovernmentleadersandistheprincipaleconomicdevelopmentorganizationforFlorida.Inpursuit of its mission, EFI works closely with a statewide network ofeconomicdevelopmentpartnersandisfundedbothbytheStateofFloridaandbyprivate-sectorbusinesses.

SERVICES / PROGRAMS • Qualified Target Industry Tax Refundprogramprovidesan incentivefortargetindustriestolocatenewfacilitiesinFlorida ortoexpandexistingfacilitiesinFlorida.Theprogramprovides taxrefundsof$3,000pernewjobcreated.Higherawardsare availabletocompaniespayingveryhighwages,operatingwithin adesignatedhighimpactsector,ormeetingothercriteria.

• Capital Investment Tax Creditisanannualcredit,providedfor uptotwentyyears,againstthecorporateincometax.The amountoftheannualcreditisbasedontheeligiblecapital costs associated with a qualifying project. Eligible capital costs include all expenses incurred in the acquisition, construction, installation, and equipping of a project from the beginning of constructiontothecommencementofoperations.

8

• Technology Acceleration: Provide cost /benefit analysis of newtechnology• Export and International Market Development• Workforce Training and Development: FloridaMakes leverages localandnationalservicesaswellasinternaltraining• Supply Chain Optimization:Providesstepbysteproadmapto help address risk, increase visibility and create opportunity

• Process Improvement:LEAN,ToyotaKATA,SixSigmaefforts and ISO Quality Management – to name a few• Grants:Muchofthecostoftheseprogramimprovementefforts canbeoffsetbyITWandETWgrantsofferedbythestate. Reimbursement of employer spend can range from 50% to 75%

CONTACT

David ferguson,Business Advisor

800 n. Magnolia Ave., Suite 1850Orlando, florida 32803


www.floridamakes.com

MISSION

improve the productivity and technological performance of florida Manufacturers.

VISION

FloridaMakes is recognized as a statewide initiative which has significantly and measurably advanced Florida’s manufacturing economy.

dESCRIPTION We are a nonprofit statewide industry led partnership. These partnership(s) include involvement with Florida’s Regional ManufacturerAssociations,theStateofFloridaandaspartoftheNationalInstituteofStandardsandTechnology’sManufacturingExtensionPartnership(NISTMEP).Thesepartnershipsaredesignedtoprovidetalentdevelopment,technologyassistanceandbusinessgrowthservicetoimprovetheoverallperformanceof individual firms. Deliverable/measurable economic impacts arethemetricsofsuccess.

SERVICES / PROGRAMS • Enterprise Assessment:Helpsidentifycapabilitiesand potentialshortcomingsofthebusiness

• Business Growth and Innovation Services: ID strategies for Growth; from identifying new customers to productdevelopment

9

• SocialSecurityforBeginners• AdvancedSocialSecurity• Retirement Planning• FinancialFitness• Taxes and the IRS• Planned Giving• Medicare• Long-termPlanning• 10StepstoFinancialFreedom• EstatePlanning• FinancialPitfalls• ImprovingYourCredit• Introduction to Real Estate

CONTACT

Hal Hammond, Director

1800 2nd Street, Suite 918Sarasota, florida 34236


www.f3eonline.org

MISSION

To promote financial literacy.

dESCRIPTION The Foundation for Financial Education is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organizationdedicatedtoprovidingfreeeducationalresourcestothepublic.WearepartneringwiththeEconomicDevelopmentCorporationofSarasotatoprovidefreeclassesthroughoutourcommunity. The first chapter began in Washington D.C. and has spreadthroughoutthecountryasweexpandontheimportanceofFinancialWellness.

SERVICES / PROGRAMS TheFoundationforFinancialEducationisavailabletoassistcompaniesofallsizesandscopes.Allourservicesarefreeofcharge. We teach one hour classes over various financial and economic topics to employees. This is not only beneficial to the employee,buttotheemployeraswe,asithelpswithemployeeretention in this competitive market. Classes offered include:

10

STRATEGIC RESEARCh

GrowFL matches you with a team of specialists in unique areas toanalyzeyouroverallbusinessstrategy.Followinganinitialdiagnostic conference call, each team member works virtually from offices across the state through an online collaboration tooltosendyoureports,recommendationsanddataliststoimplement at your own pace. The team is there to work with youonproblemsthatyouidentifyandtoprovideadditionalperspectiveonpotentialissuesoropportunitiesthatyoumaynot have seen. Our Strategic Research Program includes these servicestohelpyourcompanyimprovetoplinerevenue.

PEERSPECTIVES ROUNdTABLES

GrowFL’s CEO Roundtables are peer groups utilizing the PeerSpectivesmethodologydevelopedbytheEdwardLoweFoundation. PeerSpectives is a unique CEO roundtable methodologydesignedespeciallyforleadersofsecond-stagegrowthcompanies.ThesystemdiffersfromotherroundtableformatsbyhavingastructuredformatthatensuresabalancedgroupdiscussionnotdominatedbyanyoneindividualandprofessionalfacilitatorswhoaretrainedattheEdwardLoweFoundation.Ourroundtablesplaceanemphasisonsharingexperiencesratherthangivingadviceandparticipantscomefromdiverse,non-competingindustries.PeerSpectivesprovidesa confidential environment for discussing sensitive issues – bothintheirbusinessandpersonallives.

(Continued)

MISSION

To provide strategies, resources and support to second-stage companies for next level growth.

dESCRIPTION GrowFL was created in 2009 as an economic development programfocusedonassistingsecond-stagegrowthcompaniesprosperinthestateofFlorida.BasedonthephilosophyofEconomic Gardening®– to grow existing businesses in a community, region or state – GrowFL, the Florida Economic Gardening Institute, is a critical component to the state’s economicdevelopmentstrategyandFlorida’sentrepreneurialecosystem. GrowFL is a statewide economic development organization certified by the National Center for Economic Gardening through the Edward Lowe Foundation.

SERVICES / PROGRAMS Second-stage companies headquartered in Florida are the definition of economic growth and prosperity – they are responsible for creating 34% of all jobs. Second-stage companies face unique challenges as they grow and GrowFL’s Business Growth Program isdesignedtohelptheirleadershipovercometheseobstaclesbyproviding methods proven to help take their companies to the nextlevel.

11

LEAdERShIP dEVELOPMENT EdUCATION

Innovative learning sessions and networking opportunities designedtoexplorechallenges,trendsandtopicsthatarecommonlyfacedbysecond-stagecompaniesduringgrowth.Time, money and knowledge are important assets to you. GrowFL will maximize your ROI all the way through the program.

CONTACT

Tammie Sweet, Director

12424 Research Parkway, Suite 355Orlando, florida 32826


www.GrowfL.com

Roundtables participants tell us that they have gotten new ideas on everything from marketing strategy and financial issues to dealing with difficult personnel problems. What’s more, the roundtables also spark accountability and strong bonds among members.

fLORIdA COMPANIES TO wATCh

FloridaCompaniestoWatchcelebratesgrowingsecond-stagecompanies headquartered in Florida. Companies to Watch was developed by the Edward Lowe Foundation as a unique way to recognizeandhonorsecond-stagecompaniesthatdemonstratehigh performance in the marketplace with innovative strategies and processes, making them “worth watching.” Presented byGrowFL, in association with Edward Lowe Foundation, Florida Companies to Watch is an awards program like no other. Companiesfromacrossthestateandallindustriesmayparticipate.Selectionisbasedonsteadygrowthinemployeecountsandrevenueaswellasstrengthinleadership,corporateculture,communitysupportandphilanthropy,innovationinmanagementortechnology,orotherfactorsthatcontributetoanoutstandingorganization.

12

Networking on a regular basis creates the opportunity to find solutionstomanufacturingandotherbusinessrelatedproblems.Our members come together each month to network, share best practicesandhearpresentationsfromsubjectmatterexpertsontopicsrelevanttomanufacturing.Quarterly Brunch & Learn seminars for SAMA Members are hosted by subject matter experts who share in-depth knowledge on topics such as Health Care, Employee Benefits, Employment Law, Business Succession Planning and Marketing Strategy.

AdVOCACY

Weadvocateonbehalfofindustryatalocal,stateandnationallevel.

We work closely with elected officials, economic developers andtheeducationcommunityinpursuitofgoals,suchasapro-business environment and an educated/highly skilled workforce for manufacturing.Inthepastwehaveauthoredlegislationtorelievethetaxburdenonmanufacturers.

Our Government Affairs Committee wrote and solicited legislative sponsorsfortheoriginalbillthateliminatedsalestaxonmanufacturing equipment purchases. In2010weorchestratedacoalitiontopassacountywidereferendumtoabateportionsoftheadvaloremtaxonmanufacturinginfrastructure.Wearepursuingabolishingtangiblepropertytaxonmanufacturingassets;orinlieuofthat,theadoptionofstraightlinedepreciationby the Department of Revenue.(Continued)

MISSION

Create an environment where manufacturing can thrive.

dESCRIPTION 501(c)(3) Not for profit Trade AssociationFoundedin1971MembersincludeManufacturersandAssociateswhoprovideservicestohelpourmanufacturersbemoresuccessful

SERVICES / PROGRAMS

ACTIVITIES

SAMA is one of the many Regional Manufacturing Associations whohaspartneredwiththeNISTMEPcenterinFlorida,FloridaMakes. Through this partnership, SAMA can bring a wealth of resources, services, tools, know-how to our local manufacturers. TheseserviceswhichareprimarilycoordinatedthroughourSAMA/FloridaMakes Business Advisor include but are not limited to full businessassessment(topandbottomlines),disasterpreparednessanalysis,training,grantwritingassistance,technologyadoption,andbusinesscontinuityplanning.Inaddition,thepartnershipbringsbestpracticesharingfromacrossthestateandcountryandallowsustojoinourvoicesonallissuesrelatedtomanufacturingintheStateofFlorida.

13

TRAINING fOR ExISTING wORkfORCE

Wehelpconnectourmemberstoorganizationsandindividualscapable of providing solutions to workforce training costs, productionpartnerships,supplychainmanagement,research,newproductdevelopment,etc.FocusgroupsconsistingofSAMAMembers helped to define the basic skill sets needed to close the “skills gap” as identified by the National Association of Manufacturersin2005.Weaddedleadershiptrainingtothefourbasic tenants – safety, quality, maintenance and manufacturing process. Students and incumbent workers alike can now obtainnationally recognized standing as a Certified Production Technician.

COMMUNITYSAMAmeetingsareopentomembersandinvitedguests.Weencourage elected officials, educators and the media to participate.Special events like our annual golf tournament and the Holiday Gathering are open to everyone.Our digital newsletter; The SAMA MFG elert is distributed to morethan700subscribers.Anyonemaysubscribeforfreeonourwebsite.

CONTACTRob Harris, executive Director

PO Box 22228, Sarasota, fL 34276 email: [email protected]

www.sama-fl.com

We work with County Commissions every year to officially designateOctoberas‘ManufacturingMonth’inrecognitionofthe contributions manufacturers make to our economy and our community.ThisiscoordinatedwithNationalManufacturingDayandourMadeInFloridaTours.SAMA’s partnership with FloridaMakes, ensures that manufacturers presentaunitedvoiceinTallahasseeandWashington.

wORkfORCE EdUCATION

Ourorganizationsupportsstudentswhosuccessfullycompeteata national level in FIRST Robotics and Skills USA competitions.

SAMAMembersserveonschooladvisorycouncils;helpingdesignprograms and curriculum for our future workforce.

We take an active role in education; helping in the selection processandprovidingcounseltoschoolsuperintendentsandcareer/ technicaleducationleaders.

SAMA members mentor students. We provide speakers to addressstudentsoncareerchoices.

EveryyearSAMAManufacturershosthundredsofstudentsonMadeInFloridaToursinbothSarasotaandManateeCounties.

Startedin2005,theMadeInFloridaTourshaveprovidedthousands of area students an insider’s up close look at potential careers in our industry and the educational pathway required to pursuethosecareerslocally.

14

SERVICES / PROGRAMS • Growth Acceleration providesin-depthbusinessassessments and strategic planning for qualified businesses to develop sustainablegrowthstrategies.

• Export Marketing Plans position qualified manufacturing small businesses in Florida who are “new-to-export” to identify growthstrategiesthroughthedevelopmentofspecializedplans.

• Government Contracting assistsestablishedbusinessesto expand by reaching new markets through federal, state and localgovernmentcontracting.

• Small Business Certification couldpresentgrowth opportunitiesforyourwoman,minority,orVeteran-owned business.

CONTACT

Pat gordon, Business Consultant

1101 Channelside DriveTampa, florida 33602


www.sbdctampabay.com/manasota

MISSION

To provide businesses the expertise and resources to succeed.

dESCRIPTION TheFloridaSmallBusinessDevelopmentCenter(SBDC)atUniversity of South Florida assists existing and emerging businesses in Sarasota county, through no-cost confidential businessconsulting,information,andlow-costtraining.Ourprofessionallycredentialedconsultantshavethereal-worldexperience and expertise to help you make the right business decisions.Ourconsultantsexpertisefocusesonareasthatarevitaltoowningandoperatingasuccessfulbusiness,including:strategic market research, market expansion and revenue growth, businessandstrategicplandevelopment,accesstocapitalandloan packaging assistance, financial analysis and assessment, accounting systems and financial literacy, feasibility analysis and start-upassistance,disasterpreparednessandcybersecurity.

15

CONTACT

Rick Ross,SCORe Manasota

2801 fruitville Road, Suite 280Sarasota, florida 34237


www.manasotascore.org

Don Benjamin,Port Charlotte SCORe

1777 Tamiami Trail Suite 411Port Charlotte, fL 33948


www.portcharlottescore.org

MISSION

To foster vibrant small business communities through mentoring and education.

dESCRIPTION SCORE, America’s premier source of free and confidential smallbusinessadviceforstartupsandestablishedbusinesses,is a nonprofit resource partner of the U.S. Small Business Administrationwithover300chaptersand10,000volunteersnationwide. To support small business success, two local SCORE ChapterscontinuetopartnerwithlocalcommunityorganizationstoserveSouthwestFlorida’sManatee,Sarasota,andCharlotteCounties.Over120localvolunteerexpertshelpclientsachievetheirgoalstostart,grow,buy,sell,orexittheirbusinessesandsolve problems through mentorship and education. SCORE’s entrepreneuronlinebusinessresourcecenterhasawealthofinformation including workshops, webinars, blogs, how-to guides, videosandpodcasts.

SERVICES / PROGRAMS Freementoringforexistingbusinessesandaspiringentrepreneurs

• Lowcostlocallearningeventsforexistingandnewbusinesses• Business podcasts, SCORE TV• Extensiveonlinebusinessresourcelibrary

16

SMALL BUSINESS ECOSYSTEM SARASOTA COUNTY · ThE SMALL BUSINESS ECOSYSTEM This booklet is intended...

Documents

Transcript of SMALL BUSINESS ECOSYSTEM SARASOTA COUNTY · ThE SMALL BUSINESS ECOSYSTEM This booklet is intended...