Entrepreneurship
Find Your Light-Bulb Moment Here
From Naples to Fort Myers, Southwest Florida abounds in passionate innovators who bring the local economy to life with their fresh ideas and hard work. Want to get your business up and running quickly? Small business resources stretch throughout the region, providing access to business development, loans and mentorship. Organizations like the Goodwill MicroEnterprise Program, SWFL Entrepreneurs and SCORE Southwest Florida offer regular networking events, classes, accelerator programs and a strong sense of community. No matter what you need as a small business owner or entrepreneur, you’ll find a custom-tailored solution in Southwest Florida.
- Small Business Funding
- Work for a Startup
- Small Business Resources
An Integral Part of the Regional Economy
Acquiring seed funding is arguably one of the most difficult aspects of starting a business. Southwest Florida makes it easier on entrepreneurs to get where they need to be with strong capital access through the SBDC at Florida Gulf Coast University and the Culinary Accelerator @ Immokalee. SWFL Entrepreneurs is also a networking group helping business owners develop relationships within the community.
With small businesses being such an integral part of maintaining a healthy economy within our Southwest Florida communities, regional leadership continues to create solutions help startups get off the ground.
A Rewarding Place for Innovation
Ready for a Florida lifestyle that’s fast-paced, full of creativity and fulfilling? Southwest Florida is a hub of opportunity for those hoping to join a small business, with one out of four working for a startup company. Join businesses like Cigent, a growing IT and cybersecurity firm in Fort Myers, or True Elements, a water quality agricultural startup in Naples.
CareerSource Southwest Florida is also a powerful resource for jobseekers looking to work for newer companies. As startup businesses continue to sprout up across Southwest Florida, the area is cementing its reputation as a highly desirable location for entrepreneurs of all backgrounds and industries.
The Lightbulb Above Your Head
Thomas Edison spent time in Southwest Florida — and so are some of the brightest innovators of today. Entrepreneurs and small business owners find a wealth of resources to start and grow their ventures. The SBDC at Florida Gulf Coast University provides small business owners with online and in-person counseling services, seminars, industry research, workshops, and more. Goodwill’s MicroEnterprise Program trains new business owners and helps them develop a business plan. SCORE Southwest Florida offers mentorship and free workshops. And if you have a great idea for a food business, the Florida Culinary Accelerator @ Immokalee helps entrepreneurs access venture funds and develop plans for commercialization. With all these organizations working together to assist entrepreneurs, Southwest Florida’s lightbulb glows as bright as the Florida sun.