Entrepreneurship
Small Businesses, Big Opportunity
North Florida is a great community for starting a business – where your ideas can grow in a friendly community that champions our local entrepreneurs. With a friendly tax code and low cost of living, the region has immeasurable opportunities for economic growth. Throughout the educational system, there are tools and resources for young people interested in an entrepreneurial lifestyle, ranging from high school business programs to university business incubators. Whether you’re a new business owner or just looking to grow your existing company, North Florida has initiatives that will make your business aspirations a reality.
- Education
- Small Business Resources
- Business Incubators
An Early Start
North Florida’s commitment to entrepreneurship starts as early as high school. The Academy of Entrepreneurship in Gainesville, FL offers students in grades 9-12 courses on the basics of business ownership ranging from accounting and business law to hands-on learning experience. For college students, the University of Florida’s Warrington College of Business is home to the Entrepreneurship and Innovation Center which provides graduate and undergraduate courses to prepare students to thrive when opening new businesses after college. They also have a variety of community outreach programs such as the Gainesville Entrepreneurship & Adversity Program and the Veterans Entrepreneurship Program. These initiatives offer disabled veterans and business owners from disadvantaged communities the mentoring and community resources they need to succeed.
Supportive Community
If you’re looking to start your own business, there are an abundance of organizations that provide support. Score of North Central Florida offers free counseling and workshops on business topics including finance, marketing, and business plan preparation to make sure you have all the knowledge to run and grow your company. If you have an already existing business, CareerSource is a great resource with custom training for your employees so you can have a workforce with the most up-to-date skillsets. CareerSource also provides robust business consulting services at their Gainesville, FL office.
Grow Your Business
The University of Florida is home to some of the most prominent business incubators in the Southeast. They provide mentoring, access to capital, workshops, and facilities to help start-ups create a lasting business foundation. Sid Martin Biotech is the premier incubator for business owners who are in research and development and need resources to break into the Biotechnology industry. Florida State University’s Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship is home to the “Incubator Program,” which is a no-charge program for students where they can get assistance crafting business models, establishing companies and more. Sante Fe College also has incubators for business owners not in the tech industry such as the Center for Innovation and Economic Development.