Kauffman Foundation FastTrac® Entrepreneurship Development Programs
These programs equip aspiring, established, and growth entrepreneurs with business skills, insights, tools, resources, and peer networks to start and support successful enterprises. The program was created by the
Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, the world’s largest foundation devoted to entrepreneurship. The program includes the following:
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The Intentional Entrepreneur™ - This is a half-day workshop for aspiring entrepreneurs to establish a one-year vision.
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Listening to Your Business™ - This is a half-day workshop for existing business owners to develop a three-year business strategy.
NewVenture™ Entrepreneurship Program - This course is for aspiring entrepreneurs to develop a business concept and business plan (10-module course). As a Kauffman Foundation FastTrac® affiliate, OESBD is hosting the NewVenture™ Entrepreneurship Program to help entrepreneurs refine their business concept, identify the components of a strong business plan, and access the appropriate resources for launch. At the end of the course, completed business plans will be evaluated and the top three will be eligible to compete for seed money grants.
Details on the 2024 NewVenture™ cohort:
The application open: Friday, April 12, 2024 at 8:30AM.
The application close: Friday, April 26, 2024 at 5PM.
Notification of Acceptance: Wednesday, May 22, 2024.
The 2024 NewVenture™ INFO SESSION was held on Wednesday, April 10, 2024, from 6 to 7:30 PM at the Broward County Governmental Center in downtown Fort Lauderdale. The information session recording is now available in case you missed it.
IMPORTANT Information:
Applying for NewVenture™ is free and open to Broward County residents.
Space in the NewVenture™ Program is limited; this is a competitive application process.
The 2024 cohort is open to all business types and concepts.
NewVenture™ sessions will start in June on Wednesdays (unless otherwise noted) from 5 to 8 PM for accepted applicants ONLY and will culminate in a Graduation and Pitch Day. All program activities will be held at the Broward County Governmental Center in downtown Fort Lauderdale (unless otherwise noted).
Eligibility Criteria for NewVenture™
A well-researched idea for a new business
Two years of work experience
Access to a computer to complete assignments
Conducted some market research
Commitment to attend all sessions (approximately 30 classroom hours) and complete prep work (approximately 15-20 hours per week)
NewVenture™ Entrepreneurship Program Statistics
- Assisted over 584 entrepreneurs through
Listening to Your Business and
Intentional Entrepreneurs workshops.
- Graduated 118 entrepreneurs from four (4) FastTrac® New Venture™ courses and helped 101 participants complete business plans.
- Awarded over $147,000 in seed money grants to 19 NewVenture graduates who are still in Business in Broward County
2023 Cohort
Materials:
Contact our Economic Development Specialist at 954-357-6400 to learn more. All information noted above is subject to change.
International Trade Business Development
OESBD offers multiple programs for business owners to explore opportunities in international trade. These activities range from primers in
exporting to extensive learning courses and special events. Programs are offered to suit the needs of any business interested in going global.
Program Activities
Conference
Workshops
Business Opportunities and Trends - For business owners to explore international markets
Florida Export Opportunities – For business owners interested in global market growth by exporting to featured countries
“Doing Business With” – For business owners to learn about conducting business in foreign markets
Seminars
- “11 Steps to Exporting – A Roadmap to Your Exporting Success”
Export Readiness
Contact our International Trade Specialist at
954-357-6400 to learn more.
