The 2025 Small Business Success Summit

Our SBDC staff spent two day in Tampa, participating in the fourth annual Florida SBDC Network SBDC Small Business Success Summit! This electrifying event brought together small‑business warriors at the Grand Hyatt Tampa Bay for two days of big ideas and bold connections! From inspiring keynotes to breakout sessions that cracked open fresh strategies, attendees…

Welcome to Our New Assistant Directors!

The Florida Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at Florida Gulf Coast University is proud to announce the internal promotion of Elizabeth Goldbach and Suzanne Specht to the role of Assistant Director, a strategic restructuring that strengthens our mission, improves regional coverage, and elevates the daily support available to our consultants and clients across Southwest Florida….

Bank OZK Supports SWFL Small Businesses with Generous Contribution

Last Wednesday, July 16, the Florida SBDC at FGCU was honored by Bank OZK President of Commercial Banking, Jeremy Fioravanti, along with Business Banking Leader Ehren McGeehan and Business Banking Relationship Manager Gennadiy Berlyand, with the presentation of a $5,000 donation to support the center’s ongoing efforts to provide training services and opportunities to small…

The SBDC Celebrates Business Leadership in SWFL

Florida SBDC at FGCU Honors Five Outstanding Entrepreneurs at 13th Annual Ceremony The Small Business Development Center at Florida Gulf Coast University proudly hosted the 13th Annual Distinguished Entrepreneur Awards, a sold-out event that brought together business leaders, community partners, and supporters from across the region. Held to recognize the resilience, innovation, and leadership of…

CEO XChange Launches with Two High-Impact Sessions

Setting a New Standard for Executive Collaboration in SWFL The Florida SBDC at FGCU is proud to report that the first two sessions of CEO XChange have delivered on every promise—and then some. This exclusive, invitation-only executive roundtable was developed to serve the region’s most forward-thinking CEOs and business leaders, providing a confidential, high-trust forum to discuss…

First Citizens Bank Grant Award

First Citizens Bank

The Small Business Development Center at Florida Gulf Coast University helps small businesses “launch, grow and thrive”, and last month First Citizens Bank had the great privilege of presenting them with a check to help them in their mission.