The Florida Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU) provides no-cost, confidential consulting and educational resources to help Southwest Florida’s small businesses start, grow, and thrive.
Explore our Core Services Below:
▼ Capital Access
Secure the financing needed to grow, expand, or recover your business.
- Identify traditional, SBA-backed, and alternative loan options.
- Develop or refine your business plan and financials.
- Prepare professional loan packages and receive funder introductions.
- Receive ongoing post-funding consulting support.
▼ Business Continuation & Resiliency
Prepare your business to withstand and recover from disruptions, whether natural or man-made.
- Develop Business Continuity, Emergency Preparedness, and Disaster Recovery Plans.
- Conduct risk and vulnerability assessments.
- Receive cybersecurity planning and training.
- Access disaster loan assistance and recovery navigation.
- Utilize Mobile Assistance Centers (MACs) for on-site post-disaster support.
- Engage in one-on-one consulting with Business Continuation experts.
▼ Growth Acceleration
Scale your business with tailored strategies and expert guidance.
- Conduct in-depth business assessments and diagnostics.
- Perform financial analysis and operational improvements.
- Develop market diversification and expansion strategies.
- Collaborate on implementation with Growth Acceleration specialists.
▼ Government Contracting (APEX Accelerator)
Navigate the complexities of selling to local, state, and federal governments.
- Conduct market research and bid matching.
- Receive assistance with registrations and certifications.
- Develop proposal review and submission strategies.
- Simplify procurement processes with Florida APEX consultants.
▼ International Trade
Expand your business into global markets with expert assistance.
- Develop Export Marketing Plans (EMP) to guide market entry.
- Research overseas trade opportunities.
- Receive guidance on export compliance, logistics, and funding.
- Access subsidized export planning services for qualified businesses.
- 95% of the world’s consumers live outside the U.S.—expand your reach today.
▼ Strategic & Business Planning
Establish a solid foundation for your business success.
- Develop comprehensive Business Plans for startup and funding.
- Create Strategic Plans for long-term growth and sustainability.
- Differentiate between operational, strategic, and financial planning.
- Utilize templates, receive feedback, and engage in hands-on development assistance.
▼ Data & Market Intelligence
Make informed decisions backed by world-class data sources.
- Access demographic, financial, and competitive industry reports.
- Analyze market potential and location data.
- Obtain custom research specific to your goals and geography.
- Receive professional interpretation of data to support your strategy.
▼ Training & Workshops
Enhance your business skills through a variety of educational opportunities.
- Participate in online and in-person sessions on startup, finance, marketing, and disaster preparedness.
- Attend specialized seminars like “How to Bulletproof Your Business” and “Pricing for Profit.”
- Access workshops hosted online or in-person throughout Southwest Florida.
- Training keeps you and your business competitive.
▼ Business Research & Reporting
Gain access to in-depth research services typically unavailable to small businesses.
- Conduct feasibility studies and industry profiles.
- Perform geographic and trend analyses.
- Generate reports to support funding requests, strategic pivots, or market entry.
▼ Revenue Growth & Economic Impact
Drive growth with support that produces measurable results.
In 2024, Florida SBDC clients achieved:
- $3.8B in increased sales.
- $732M in government contracts.
- $304M in capital secured.
- Over 1,000 new businesses created.
- Nearly 20,000 jobs impacted.
- Our no-cost consulting works—because it’s focused, tailored, and backed by results.