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Sarasota County Office of Business and Economic Development


Resources  Entrepreneurs 

With initiatives like the expedited permitting processes and our business assistance email address, bizhelp@scgov.net, we are working to enhance your experience throughout the entire permitting process.


Locations

Resource Agencies to Know:

All Stages

What do you need help with?

Prospera

We specialize in providing bilingual assistance to Hispanic entrepreneurs trying to establish or expand their business. We offer a variety of services especially designed for Hispanic small business owners, to empower them through training, consulting, grants and access to capital.
Business Plan, Coaching & Mentorship, Education & Training, Importing & Exporting

Florida Venture Forum

The Florida Venture Forum is a statewide member organization that helps entrepreneurs obtain funding through education, strategic partnering and effective networking. The Forum's educational programs provide in-depth information on topics such as raising debt and equity capital, human resources, finance, management, term sheet negotiation, valuations, marketing and R&D.
Funding / Financial

FloridaMakes

FloridaMakes is a nonprofit that works with individual manufacturing companies, to deliver company-centric service with bottom-line results, designed to: help you expand your market opportunities; adopt best practices, advanced technologies and training, and make the best use of existing public and private state and national resources available to enhance and further your company's growth.
Manufacturing

Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce

As a Chamber member you'll have access to networking, advertising, promotion, volunteering, savings, referrals, educational opportunities and much more.
Business Development, Education & Training, Networking

GrowFL

GrowFL is Florida's only organization exclusively dedicated to support and accelerate the growth of second-stage companies, by providing their leaders with focused, efficient, and timely access to resources they deem important. Our programs provide connections with other second-stage company leaders, resources, and organizations whose expertise, experience, and products lead to the second-stage company’s continued growth and prosperity. Second-stage growth companies have at least 6 employees and $750 thousand in revenue and possess the intent and desire to grow beyond second-stage. They are a small, but mighty group of entrepreneurial leaders in Florida, accounting for just 10% of the companies but generating more than 30% of the jobs.
Awards & Recognition, Business Counseling, Business Development, Business Expansion and/or Relocation, Business Plan, Coaching & Mentorship, Education & Training, Funding / Financial, Government Contracting, Importing & Exporting, Incubator / Accelerator, Manufacturing, Networking

Longboat Key Chamber of Commerce

The Chamber strives to make Longboat Key, Lido Key and St. Armands Key great places to do business while respecting the residential character of the keys.
Business Development, Education & Training, Networking

SCORE Manasota

We have dozens of members locally to assist you with Education and Mentoring on a wide range of business issues.
Business Plan, Coaching & Mentorship, Education & Training

PoweringFlorida | Small Business Tool

PoweringFlorida combines the power of both Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Planning and Economic Modeling Specialists International (EMSI) workforce data in one easy-to-use application to help you quickly explore and compare Florida’s communities; gain a broad understanding of the labor force statistics, consumer spending, geography, demography and other important data; and identify and evaluate all available sites and buildings in each community.

Available Buildings & Sites, Business Expansion and/or Relocation

Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce

Our Chamber is made up of over 500 businesses, independent professionals, and other stakeholders who work together to maintain and drive the health of our diverse local economy for the benefit of all who live, work and visit Siesta Key.
Business Development, Education & Training, Networking

Suncoast Technology Forum

Our mission is to create a technology-rich community, support technology entrepreneurship, and connect technology professionals with appropriate resources in the Florida Suncoast region.
Networking

The HuB Sarasota

The HuB is a creative space where entrepreneurs develop ideas and contribute toward building a new economy and culture.
Co-Working / Office Space, Incubator / Accelerator, Networking

Venice Area Chamber of Commerce

Our dynamic membership of area professionals welcomes you, and hopes your business prospers within our community. The Chamber is involved in several programs designed to enhance the business climate in the community.
Business Development, Education & Training, Networking

Englewood Incubation Center

The role of the Englewood Incubation Center is to offer opportunities to individuals who have a vision and need some place or some organization to make that vision a reality. This will be accomplished by both working closely with the educational systems and those young students who require someone to help them connect their specific skill sets with the commercial world.

Business Plan, Coaching & Mentorship, Education & Training, Incubator / Accelerator, Maker space / Maker lab, Manufacturing, Networking

Englewood Chamber of Commerce

As a Chamber member you'll receive a listing in our Member Directory, have the opportunity to participate in a variety of networking events, be listed in our newsletters along with other marketing distributions and much more.
Business Development, Education & Training, Networking

Economic Development Corporation of Sarasota County

A rich resource for entrepreneurs considering sites for new enterprise, as well as for existing business owners exploring relocation or expansion, the EDC is ready to serve. For more information about starting, expanding or relocating your business in Sarasota County, Florida, contact us.
Available Buildings & Sites, Business Expansion and/or Relocation

Enterprise Florida

Enterprise Florida recruits new business to the state, and works to retain and expand existing industry and business. We provide site selection services, demographic information, incentive information and much more.
Available Buildings & Sites, Business Expansion and/or Relocation

Florida Division of Corporations | Sunbiz

Our activities include a variety of business entity filings, trade and service mark registrations, federal lien recordings, judgment lien filings, uniform commercial code financing statements, fictitious name registrations, notary commissions, and cable and video service franchises.
Business License

Florida Economic Development Council

Since 1964, the Florida Economic Development Council has promoted economic development throughout the state of Florida. Today we are its primary resource for developing economic development professionals, issues education, networking, and recognition of excellence among members of the profession. 500+ professionals count on FEDC to educate, advocate, and connect on their behalf.
Networking

Florida High Tech Corridor Council | The Corridor

A 23-county region spanning from Florida’s Sun Coast to Space Coast, The Corridor is a place where research and innovation thrive. Chaired by presidents of the University of Central Florida (UCF), the University of South Florida (USF) and the University of Florida (UF), the Florida High Tech Corridor Council drives progress in the region. Our mission is to attract, retain and grow high tech industry and the workforce to support it. We envision a 23-county Florida High Tech Corridor region with a high-wage, high-value economy that leads the nation and world in technology invention and innovation.
Funding / Financial

Florida Medical Manufacturers Association

The Florida Medical Manufacturers Consortium (FMMC) is a state-wide association of medical device firms, that exists to unite, promote and grow our industry.
Business Development, Education & Training, Manufacturing, Networking

Idea Stage

What do you need help with?

Prospera

We specialize in providing bilingual assistance to Hispanic entrepreneurs trying to establish or expand their business. We offer a variety of services especially designed for Hispanic small business owners, to empower them through training, consulting, grants and access to capital.
Business Plan, Coaching & Mentorship, Education & Training, Importing & Exporting

SCORE Manasota

We have dozens of members locally to assist you with Education and Mentoring on a wide range of business issues.
Business Plan, Coaching & Mentorship, Education & Training

Englewood Incubation Center

The role of the Englewood Incubation Center is to offer opportunities to individuals who have a vision and need some place or some organization to make that vision a reality. This will be accomplished by both working closely with the educational systems and those young students who require someone to help them connect their specific skill sets with the commercial world.

Business Plan, Coaching & Mentorship, Education & Training, Incubator / Accelerator, Maker space / Maker lab, Manufacturing, Networking

Formation Stage

We’ve selected the agencies below as being important to forming your business; however, you should still review agencies categorized for the Idea stage. Agencies are categorized at the point of recommended introduction in the business cycle.

What do you need help with?

PoweringFlorida | Small Business Tool

PoweringFlorida combines the power of both Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Planning and Economic Modeling Specialists International (EMSI) workforce data in one easy-to-use application to help you quickly explore and compare Florida’s communities; gain a broad understanding of the labor force statistics, consumer spending, geography, demography and other important data; and identify and evaluate all available sites and buildings in each community.

Available Buildings & Sites, Business Expansion and/or Relocation

Suncoast Technology Forum

Our mission is to create a technology-rich community, support technology entrepreneurship, and connect technology professionals with appropriate resources in the Florida Suncoast region.
Networking

Launching Stage

We’ve selected the agencies below as being important to launching your business; however, you should still review agencies categorized for the Idea and Formation stages. Agencies are categorized at the point of recommended introduction in the business cycle.

What do you need help with?

Florida Venture Forum

The Florida Venture Forum is a statewide member organization that helps entrepreneurs obtain funding through education, strategic partnering and effective networking. The Forum's educational programs provide in-depth information on topics such as raising debt and equity capital, human resources, finance, management, term sheet negotiation, valuations, marketing and R&D.
Funding / Financial

The HuB Sarasota

The HuB is a creative space where entrepreneurs develop ideas and contribute toward building a new economy and culture.
Co-Working / Office Space, Incubator / Accelerator, Networking

Florida Division of Corporations | Sunbiz

Our activities include a variety of business entity filings, trade and service mark registrations, federal lien recordings, judgment lien filings, uniform commercial code financing statements, fictitious name registrations, notary commissions, and cable and video service franchises.
Business License

Growing Stage

We’ve selected the agencies below as being important to growing your business; however, you should still review agencies categorized for the Idea, Formation, and Launching stages. Agencies are categorized at the point of recommended introduction in the business cycle.

What do you need help with?

FloridaMakes

FloridaMakes is a nonprofit that works with individual manufacturing companies, to deliver company-centric service with bottom-line results, designed to: help you expand your market opportunities; adopt best practices, advanced technologies and training, and make the best use of existing public and private state and national resources available to enhance and further your company's growth.
Manufacturing

Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce

As a Chamber member you'll have access to networking, advertising, promotion, volunteering, savings, referrals, educational opportunities and much more.
Business Development, Education & Training, Networking

GrowFL

GrowFL is Florida's only organization exclusively dedicated to support and accelerate the growth of second-stage companies, by providing their leaders with focused, efficient, and timely access to resources they deem important. Our programs provide connections with other second-stage company leaders, resources, and organizations whose expertise, experience, and products lead to the second-stage company’s continued growth and prosperity. Second-stage growth companies have at least 6 employees and $750 thousand in revenue and possess the intent and desire to grow beyond second-stage. They are a small, but mighty group of entrepreneurial leaders in Florida, accounting for just 10% of the companies but generating more than 30% of the jobs.
Awards & Recognition, Business Counseling, Business Development, Business Expansion and/or Relocation, Business Plan, Coaching & Mentorship, Education & Training, Funding / Financial, Government Contracting, Importing & Exporting, Incubator / Accelerator, Manufacturing, Networking

Longboat Key Chamber of Commerce

The Chamber strives to make Longboat Key, Lido Key and St. Armands Key great places to do business while respecting the residential character of the keys.
Business Development, Education & Training, Networking

Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce

Our Chamber is made up of over 500 businesses, independent professionals, and other stakeholders who work together to maintain and drive the health of our diverse local economy for the benefit of all who live, work and visit Siesta Key.
Business Development, Education & Training, Networking

Venice Area Chamber of Commerce

Our dynamic membership of area professionals welcomes you, and hopes your business prospers within our community. The Chamber is involved in several programs designed to enhance the business climate in the community.
Business Development, Education & Training, Networking

Englewood Chamber of Commerce

As a Chamber member you'll receive a listing in our Member Directory, have the opportunity to participate in a variety of networking events, be listed in our newsletters along with other marketing distributions and much more.
Business Development, Education & Training, Networking

Florida Medical Manufacturers Association

The Florida Medical Manufacturers Consortium (FMMC) is a state-wide association of medical device firms, that exists to unite, promote and grow our industry.
Business Development, Education & Training, Manufacturing, Networking

Optimizing Stage

We’ve selected the agencies below as being important to optimizing your business; however, you should still review agencies categorized for the Idea, Formation, Launching, and Growing stages. Agencies are categorized at the point of recommended introduction in the business cycle.

What do you need help with?

Economic Development Corporation of Sarasota County

A rich resource for entrepreneurs considering sites for new enterprise, as well as for existing business owners exploring relocation or expansion, the EDC is ready to serve. For more information about starting, expanding or relocating your business in Sarasota County, Florida, contact us.
Available Buildings & Sites, Business Expansion and/or Relocation

Enterprise Florida

Enterprise Florida recruits new business to the state, and works to retain and expand existing industry and business. We provide site selection services, demographic information, incentive information and much more.
Available Buildings & Sites, Business Expansion and/or Relocation

Florida Economic Development Council

Since 1964, the Florida Economic Development Council has promoted economic development throughout the state of Florida. Today we are its primary resource for developing economic development professionals, issues education, networking, and recognition of excellence among members of the profession. 500+ professionals count on FEDC to educate, advocate, and connect on their behalf.
Networking

Florida High Tech Corridor Council | The Corridor

A 23-county region spanning from Florida’s Sun Coast to Space Coast, The Corridor is a place where research and innovation thrive. Chaired by presidents of the University of Central Florida (UCF), the University of South Florida (USF) and the University of Florida (UF), the Florida High Tech Corridor Council drives progress in the region. Our mission is to attract, retain and grow high tech industry and the workforce to support it. We envision a 23-county Florida High Tech Corridor region with a high-wage, high-value economy that leads the nation and world in technology invention and innovation.
Funding / Financial

Entrepreneurs to Know:

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