The Florida Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Network, the state’s principal provider of small business assistance, and Florida Atlantic University (FAU) are announced today a new partnership to establish the Florida SBDC at FAU.
Through the partnership, FAU will serve as the Florida SBDC’s newest regional host partner to provide the intellectual capital and expertise to meet the needs of existing and emerging small business owners in Broward and Palm Beach counties.
As part of its service offerings, Florida SBDC at FAU professionally certified and experienced business consultants will provide no-cost consulting, no- and low-cost training, and access to business data and research resources to existing and emerging small businesses throughout Broward and Palm Beach counties. Consultant expertise will focus on areas vital to accelerating business growth, including capital access, market growth, government contracting, international trade, strategic planning, business continuation, cybersecurity, disaster planning and recovery, and more.
“We are excited to partner with FAU to provide no-cost, professional expertise for small businesses in Southeast Florida,” said Michael W. Myhre, CEO for the Florida SBDC Network.
“FAU’s long commitment to innovation, entrepreneurship, and the economic growth and prosperity of Southeast Florida complements our mission to accelerate Florida’s economy through small business growth and success. We look forward to redefining possibilities to provide the critical assistance Broward and Palm Beach county small businesses need to compete in a competitive global marketplace.”
Florida Atlantic University, founded in 1961, currently serves more than 30,000 undergraduate and graduate students at sites throughout its six-county service region in Southeast Florida. FAU provides widespread outreach and technical assistance to business and potential business operators through its FAU Tech Runway program and its partnership with the Research Park at FAU.
“Florida Atlantic University is extremely proud to partner with the Florida Small Business Development Center to work in collaboration with their team, the Research Park at Florida Atlantic University® and FAU Tech Runway® to provide a vital service for new and emerging companies in Broward and Palm Beach counties,” said Daniel C. Flynn, Ph.D., FAU’s vice president for research.
“This newest partnership will greatly contribute to inspiring and supporting innovation, technology and entrepreneurship to ensure successful business development in this region.”
The Florida SBDC Network was founded at the University of West Florida in 1976 as one of eight original SBDC pilot programs in the country. Starting with only two employees and service centers in Northwest Florida, the Florida SBDC Network has since grown to become the State of Florida’s designated principal business assistance organization for small businesses in the state, with over 40 offices and nearly 250 employees providing the tools, training, and expertise small businesses need to grow and succeed.
FAU becomes the eighth state university to serve as a Florida SBDC regional host partner joining Florida A&M University, the University of North Florida, University of Central Florida, University of South Florida, Florida Gulf Coast University, Florida International University, and the University of West Florida.
The Florida SBDC at FAU will be operational and accessible at various locations throughout the region beginning January 2, 2018. For more information about the Florida SBDC Network and the Florida SBDC at FAU, please visit www.FloridaSBDC.org.