Business Resources

Collaborative Partnerships are essential for any successful business or organization, regardless of its size or industry. Working together with other companies or organizations can bring many benefits, from increased innovation and reduced costs to a broader market reach and a strengthened reputation. However, building strong alliances can be challenging, and it requires careful planning, communication, and trust.

The Dania Beach CRA works to develop effective collaborative partnerships with the leading economic development and entrepreneurial support agencies in the region and state. In some cases, we have formal documented relationships with our partners and in other cases our relationships are based on a successful history based on trust.

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Intellectual-Property-To-Market @ Florida International University (IP2Mkt)

The IP2Mkt initiative seeks to tap the trillions of dollars of underutilized patented technologies developed by Federal Labs, universities, and industry in order to foster economic development in South Florida and beyond. Modeled after high growth innovation ecosystems, the mission of IP2Mkt is to inclusively grow South Florida’s innovation economy and beyond. We accomplish this through a business incubator program, SBIR partnerships, access to capital, and tech entrepreneurship workshops. IP2Mkt Goal areas:

Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM);
Entrepreneurial Workforce Development;
Innovation & Capital Ecosystem Development;
Business Incubator and Accelerator Network; and
Technology Transfer & SBIR/STTR.

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Dan Marino Foundation

Founded by Dan and Claire Marino after their son, Michael was diagnosed with autism in 1992, the Dan Marino Foundation has a long and distinguished history of life-changing programs and services with the mission to "empower individuals with autism.” Today, 1 in 36 children is diagnosed with autism in the United States. To ensure support is given to those who need it, ninety-four cents of every dollar donated to the Foundation goes toward programs and other initiatives which have included:

Nicklaus Children’s Hospital Dan Marino Outpatient Center
Marino Autism Research Institute
Marino Adapted Aquatics
Marino Campus accredited post-secondary schools
Hub2Connect
Local and nationwide autism organizations

Through grants awarded by Google, the NFL Foundation, and Magic Leap, the Dan Marino Foundation leads in offering technology solutions that address barriers to employment and independence encountered by individuals with autism. The Foundation is a Charity Navigator 4-star organization, GuideStar Gold Seal Charity, and Better Business Bureau Accredited Charity.

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Broward County Office of Economic Development & Small Business Development

The Office of Economic and Small Business Development (OESBD) is responsible for enhancing Broward County's economy by recruiting new and supporting existing industries and creating new employment opportunities for residents. Working collaboratively with key partners, OESBD’s mission is to promote job growth, diversify the County's industrial mix, and expand the local tax.

OESBD supports Broward County businesses and their success by providing a comprehensive roster of client-focused services. Technical assistance is available to local businesses in a range of topics from information on current public procurement opportunities to financing.

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SCORE | Broward

SCORE | Broward is an active chapter for the national SCORE system and has more than 50 volunteers. In 2023, SCORE | Broward was recognized as the #1 SCORE chapter in the country. Their mission is to help entrepreneurs and small business men and women start, develop, and grow businesses in Broward County.

SCORE’s team of 70+ experienced entrepreneurs, corporate managers, and executives from a diverse set of industries and specialties, volunteer their knowledge to help small business to start, grow and thrive. FREE services include Confidential Mentoring, Educational Webinars, Community Partnerships, and numerous business templates and tools.

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Greater Fort Lauderdale Alliance

As the primary economic development organization for Greater Fort Lauderdale/Broward County, the Greater Fort Lauderdale Alliance focuses on creating, attracting, expanding and retaining high-wage jobs and capital investment in high value targeted industries, developing more vibrant communities, and improving the quality of life for our area’s citizens. We provide leadership and excellence in delivering economic development services for our clients, prospects, investors and partners. The Four Foundations of our economic development services are:

Marketing and Promoting Broward County
Managing Expansion, Relocation and Retention Projects
Conducting and Providing Market Research & Business Intelligence
Securing and Enhancing Private/Public Leadership & Investment

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CareerSource Broward (CSBD)

CareerSource Broward (CSBD), the administrative entity of the Broward Workforce Development Board, is a federally funded, locally controlled organization that provides innovative employment solutions and quality workforce services to businesses and individuals in Broward County. These services are delivered through three strategically located career centers, which provide individual assistance with the Employ Florida website, job placement services, career coaching and other employment-related needs.

Vision: To be the premier workforce agency facilitating better jobs and providing quality workers that enhances the quality of life and builds a sustainable economy for Broward County.

Mission: To provide innovative solutions through the professional delivery of quality services, which consistently and effectively meet workforce needs.

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Marine Research Hub (MRH)

The Marine Research Hub (MRH) is building Florida’s Blue Economy by engaging collaboration from all sectors to support the commercialization of nature & research-based solutions to create jobs, build business, harden our infrastructure, and create positive impact for the health of our marine environments and community.

Headquartered in South Florida, the mission of the Marine Research Hub is to raise the visibility, reputation, and prestige of South Florida's oceanographic research institutions and facilitate the transfer of technology into marketable goods and services, resulting in talent attraction and retention and job creation to build our Blue Economy.

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Broward College Entrepreneurial Experience (BCEx)

Our mission at BCEx is to offer an affordable, world-class business accelerator and to create a culture shift toward innovation. Participants in BCEx receive support through six main strategies: Campus Accelerators and Events at Broward College, Student Learning at Broward College, the Innovation Hub at Broward College, LaunchBC - BCEx business accelerator, J. David Armstrong, Jr. Student Venture Fund, and Partnership Opportunities with Broward College.

BCEx has taken another step toward helping participants achieve their dreams with assistance from a $100,000 Perkins grant. The grant is part of the Florida Department of Education’s Entrepreneurial Education and Training (EET) program. This high-impact grant will help Broward College students, faculty, and staff cultivate their entrepreneurial mindset and turn their ideas into reality by launching high-quality businesses at little-to-no cost. Started in 2018, BCEx helps participants innovate, create, and prepare for the future of work through mentorship, coaching, funding, and training.

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Broward County Library, Creation Station Business

Looking for somewhere to unleash your creativity and ideas? We have just the place - it's the first free community center in Broward equipped with tools such as state-of-the-art computers and gadgets as well as public access to the latest virtual reality equipment. Take advantage of free work and meeting spaces, high-tech equipment, business resources and expert assistance for creating and growing your business.

Features: Innovation Lab, Audio/Video Production, Electronics Kits, Arts & Crafts, Computer Programming, Virtual Reality Equipment, 3D Printer, Conference Room, 2 Meeting Rooms, Videoconferencing Equipment, Smartboard, Large Format Printer, Free WiFi, Seminars & Classes, U.S. Patent & Trademark Office, and Wireless Printing.

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Florida Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at Florida Atlantic University

The Florida Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at Florida Atlantic University (FAU) offers high-level consulting and training to small and medium-sized businesses in Broward and Palm Beach Counties. SBDC has access to robust databases, business research resources and knowledgeable expert consultants who can help business owners and entrepreneurs successfully navigate the obstacles that come with the stages of the business life cycle, providing no-cost specialized services to fit their needs. From pre-venture businesses (exploring business feasibility) to established businesses (in business +3 years), the SBDC can help.

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FSU, Jim Moran Institute for Global Entrepreneurship

The mission of the Jim Moran Institute for Global Entrepreneurship is to cultivate, train and inspire entrepreneurial leaders through world-class executive education, applied training, public recognition and leading-edge research. As the challenge of operating and growing a small business becomes increasingly complex, the Jim Moran Institute remains a source of expertise and executive education. For this reason, our focus is on assisting businesses with a minimum of three employees and that have been in business for at least three years for little to no cost.

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Grow America

Grow America acts as partner, teacher, advisor, investor, developer and lender, bringing together technical know-how and capital for community and economic investment. We work with local and state governments and community-based organizations to help them create and implement their own unique economic and community development strategies.

Over the years, our programs and services have evolved to reflect the changing policy environment, adding services and products to meet emerging needs. We provide technical assistance, professional training, small business lending, debt and equity financing for residential, commercial, public, and nonprofit facilities. Our nationally recognized training programs help build a professional workforce in economic and community development that can advance and sustain progress in their communities.

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Hispanic Unity of Florida

Hispanic Unity of Florida (HUF) is a non-profit founded in 1982 by community leaders to ease the acculturation transition for newcomers from other nations. Today, HUF provides assistance through 12 programs and 30+ services in four languages to South Florida's diverse community. HUF, an UnidosUS Affiliate, is one of South Florida’s largest agencies dedicated to the immigrant population, providing them with the tools they need to build a new life. Since its inception, HUF has served nearly 500,000 people. HUF offers 12 programs and services in four languages - English, Spanish, Haitian Creole and Sign Language.

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Miami Bayside Foundation

Miami Bayside Foundation (MBF) is a nonprofit organization designed to advance economic development in South Florida through the support of minority businesses and education. MBF seeks to do this through the creation and administration of loan programs for minority businesses, through the creation of programs and educational scholarships for minorities, and by providing technical assistance to minority-owned businesses.

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Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship (NFTE)

NFTE is a global educational nonprofit focused on bringing the power of entrepreneurship to youth in under resourced communities. NFTE’s rigorous programs are taught by a highly trained Teacher Corps, and NFTE students are supported by a diverse Volunteer Corps drawn from the local community, including business leaders and entrepreneurs. Since its founding more than 30 years ago, NFTE has trained thousands of teachers and educated more than a million young people worldwide.

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Research Park at FAU

The Research Park at FAU is a prime location for forward-thinking technology organizations. It builds relationships between innovative entrepreneurs and the research faculty at Florida Atlantic. It facilitates the commercialization of discoveries, leading to new product releases, revenue growth, job creation and research into new technologies in Broward and Palm Beach counties.

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Urban League of Broward County

The Urban League of Broward County is advancing the lives of nearly 14,000 individuals annually through six verticals of service; education, entrepreneurship, jobs, community justice, housing, and health. Our transformation solutions have life-changing effects that create equity and parity, facilitating economic opportunity and stability and uplifting individuals.

We are committed to building community wealth through ownership. Our Entrepreneurship Center's M3 Model (Money, Market, & Management) helps small business owners access the tools needed to grow and develop their business. We provide technical assistance, business management training, and lending solutions.

We are committed to strengthening the family unit by promoting economic self-sufficiency. We help equip individuals with the tools needed to enter or re-enter the workforce through training, career-building, and job placement services. ADVANCE-U offers a full range of essential economic resources for residents to help them succeed in the workforce, stabilize their finances and build assets. ADVANCE-U can be described in three simple solutions; career credentialing, career preparation, and career advancement.

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Better Business Bureau Serving Southeast Florida & the Caribbean

For more than 100 years, the Better Business Bureau has been helping people find businesses, brands and charities they can trust. In 2023, people turned to BBB Serving Southeast Florida & the Caribbean more than 5.1 million times as a resource for finding BBB Accredited Businesses, news/events and utilizing services while also checking over 6.95 million business reviews. There are local, independent BBBs across the United States and Canada.

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Alan B. Levan - NSU Broward Center of Innovation

The Alan B. Levan | NSU Broward Center of Innovation is a public-private partnership between Nova Southeastern University and Broward County acting as an economic and education development engine linking the South Florida innovation ecosystem. The Levan Center offers four Core Programs that are built to suit the Founder’s Journey from birth of an idea through successful exit or global expansion. All programs include masterclass sessions, access to prototyping, and comprehensive wraparound services to ensure you succeed. No matter what phase your startup is in, our Core Programs have been designed to take it to the next level.