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FSBDCN State Office (Pensacola, Fla.) - The
Florida SBDC Network, in partnership with Veterans Florida, welcomed the
first class of participants in the new Veterans Florida Entrepreneurship
Program, a statewide initiative offering qualified veterans the opportunity
to receive an accelerated entrepreneurship education at no cost. The pilot
program, which began the first of three phases March 15, received over 600
applications and accepted 400 participants.
Delivered through five participating institutions of higher
education, the Veterans Florida Entrepreneurship Program is an educational
training program in entrepreneurship offered to military veterans that meet
the following requirements: have been honorably discharged, are National
Guardsmen or Reservists, or are active duty within one year of separation;
reside in Florida, and demonstrate a strong interest in entrepreneurship.
The first phase of the program, an accelerated online
training, seeks to equip participating veterans with the essential
information to build their venture on a strong business foundation. The
course entails developing business concepts, exploring feasibility,
researching target customers, and gaining an understanding of Lean Startup
and the Canvas Business Model, programs utilized in the phase two in-class
training. Over a period of eight weeks, participants will receive
exercises, readings, videos, and guidance from instructors from one of five
institutions of higher education - the University of West Florida (UWF),
University of North Florida (UNF), Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU),
Florida Atlantic University (FAU), and Hillsborough Community College
(HCC).
Due to funding support provided by the State of Florida, the
Veterans Florida Entrepreneurship Program is offered to participating
veterans at no cost. In December, Veterans Florida, a non-profit
created by the Florida Legislature to attract and retain veterans, selected
UWF, through its Florida SBDC Network and Military Veterans
Resource Center, to administer the program.
"Military veterans are 45 percent more likely to start a
business than those with no prior active-duty experience," said Bobby
Carbonell, Executive Director of Veterans Florida. "The support and
training the program provides is designed to serve as a catalyst for
veterans to kick-start the launch of their business concepts."
Michael Myhre, CEO and Network State Director of the Florida
SBDC Network, described the positive response the program has received.
"Demand for the program exceeded resources, capacity, and
our expectations," said Myhre. "Our initial goal was to recruit
400 qualified veteran applicants within six weeks - a feat we achieved
within a two week period. Prior to suspending our statewide marketing
efforts and closing applications earlier than planned, we received over 600
applications - demonstrating the significant demand and need for this type
of program in the state."
Following the conclusion of phase one in May, participating
veterans will attend six days of in-class training held over a period of
three consecutive weekends at their assigned institution of higher
education. Following successful completion, participants will receive up to
six-months of ongoing mentorship from Florida SBDC business consultants to
drive success.
The objective of the Veterans Florida Entrepreneurship Program
is to assist all participants realize their entrepreneurial potential and
develop practical skills - both technical and behavioral - to achieve their
entrepreneurial aspirations.
About the Florida SBDC
Network:
The Florida SBDC Network,
the state's principal provider of business assistance, is celebrating its
40th anniversary in 2016. Since its inception, the Florida SBDC
Network has nourished a statewide partnership between higher education and
economic development to provide emerging and established business owners
with management and technical assistance, enabling overall growth,
increased profitability, and economic prosperity for the state. In 2014,
the initiatives of the Florida SBDC Network resulted in 42,664 jobs
created, retained and saved; $5.8 billion in sales growth; $140.2 million
in capital accessed; $210.2 million in government contract awards; and 952
new businesses started. A statewide network of over 40 centers, the Florida
SBDC is funded in part by the U.S. Small Business Administration, 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 SBDCs. For more information, please visit www.FloridaSBDC.org.
About Veterans Florida:
Veterans Florida was established by the Florida Legislature in
2014 as part of the Florida GI Bill to serve as an innovative corporation
to encourage recently retired or separated military personnel to make
Florida their permanent residence. The 501c(3) corporation will reinforce
Florida's standing as the most veteran-friendly state in the nation by
helping veterans to bring or develop the skills needed by Florida
businesses to the state. The board of directors is comprised of nine
individuals from across the state. For more information, visit www.veteransflorida.org.
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