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Asset Map
People, Programs and Organizations Serving Entrepreneurs in Greater Pensacola
Technical Assistance (i.e.: SBDC, micro-enterprise organization, Community College, SCORE, Entrepreneurship Center)
Organization Name – The Florida Small Business Development Center at the University of West Florida
Director or Leadership – John Emsing, Assistant Director
Email – jemsing@uwf.edu
Phone – 850.974.1808
Web- sbdc.uwf.edu
What They Do- SBDC programs deliver up-to-date management advice, training, and information to help business owners make sound decisions and to assist potential owners in starting on the right foot.
Start-up assistance begins with a menu of SBDC workshops. Practical, convenient, concise, and affordable; these group training programs cover topics from Starting a Business basics, to marketing, accounting/record keeping, financing, human resources, and taxes.
Business plan assistance walks start-ups and existing business owners through the process using tools and templates designed to get your plan down on paper. Review of draft business plans and feedback on the plans strengths and weaknesses is just one of the consulting services available in the SBDC at no charge.
One of the critical issues potential and existing business owners face is financing the start up or growth of a business. Access to capital is part of the consulting process our consultants provide to our clients.
The SBDC offers existing business owners interested in reviewing strategic business processes, increasing sales and/or improving the bottom line access to the latest information needed to succeed, including market data, financial analysis, business planning tools, and specialized programs. Plus, proven strategies to help grow your business, including government contracting services and international trade consulting.
Organization Name – CO:LAB Pensacola (Local Economic Development Incubator, supported by Pensacola State College)
Director or Leadership – Patrick Rooney, Director of Entrepreneurial Development
Email – prooney@floridawesteda.com
Phone – 850.497.3794
Web- https://colabpensacola.com/
What They Do- Simply stated, CO:LAB is a business incubator and growth accelerator. At CO:LAB we have one goal: to help entrepreneurs reach their next level. We do it with a community of mentoring, of participating, of caring, of giving, of collaborating.
Organization Name – The University of West Florida Center for Entrepreneurship
Director or Leadership – Ed Ranelli, Director of the UWF Center for Entrepreneurship
Email – bei@uwf.edu
Phone – 850.474.2536
Web- https://uwf.edu/centers/center-for-entrepreneurship/
What They Do- The University of West Florida Center for Entrepreneurship is dedicated to seeding economic growth. The Center encourages and supports educational initiatives related to entrepreneurship and entrepreneurial thinking and serves as a comprehensive resource for economic innovation for students, faculty, industry and community partners. The Center for Entrepreneurship seeks to support the complete life cycle of an entrepreneur.
Networking
(i.e. Who provides networking to entrepreneurs in your region? (example: Chamber of Commerce, Co-
Work facility, Young Professionals Group, Specialty Events) Please list, including the following:
Organization Name – Studer Community Institute (SCI)
Director or Leadership – Rachel Gillette
Email – President
Phone – 850.748.5656
Web- studeri.org
What They Do- Studer Community Institute (SCI) believes in improving the quality of life for all people in the diverse communities we serve – one child, one person at a time.
We do this by helping children be prepared for kindergarten, creating educated and engaged citizens, and creating jobs by mentoring entrepreneurs and business leaders to develop the skills needed for business success. These together are key elements of building a vibrant and engaged community.
(CivicCon provides speakers with Entrepreneurship expertise and allows for networking afterward. This event is hosted once a month.)
Organization Name – EntreCon Pensacola
Director or Leadership – Terry Horne, CivicCon Executive Director
Email – thorne@civicconversations.org
Phone – NA
Web- https://entreconpensacola.com/
What They Do- At EntreCon® we have been challenging you to think differently, think big, focus on purpose driven work and what makes you and your team thrive. Let us help you navigate an ever-shifting landscape and provide you with the tools, resources and connections you need to succeed. (A day seminar in Pensacola.)
Organization Name – Greater Pensacola Chamber
Director or Leadership – Todd Thompson, President
Email – tthompson@pensacolachamber.com
Phone – (850) 491-1880
Web- https://www.pensacolachamber.com/
What They Do- Today, the Chamber stands united as a rededicated organization of passionate, innovative leadership and management, driven to provide professional, personable, positive assistance toward commercial success in Pensacola to long-standing local companies, enthusiastic entrepreneurs, and prospective new members interested in relocating to our great region.
Organization Name – Pensacola Young Professionals
Director or Leadership – Meg Burke, Director
Email – meg@pensacolayp.com
Phone – 850.366.2001
Web- pensacolayp.com
What They Do- PYP is a nonprofit organization founded on giving the young people of Pensacola a voice, a place in our community, and a greater sense of belonging. We’re passionate about Pensacola and we believe we can inspire change within our community.
Organization Name – Kukua Institute
Director or Leadership – Lloyd Reshard, Board Chair
Email – lloyd@kukuainstitute.org
Phone – (850) 356-6921
Web- kukuainstitute.org
What They Do- Today, the Institute is a place to grow and share the cultural, intellectual and economic abilities and contributions of African Americans. We envision a world where everyone discovers, shares and celebrates these stories, abilities and contributions.
Capital
(i.e. Who provides capital to entrepreneurs in your region?)
Micro-finance and Seed Grants (less than $25k in loans, less than $1,000 grants)
Organization Name – Cox Pitch Competition, $7,300 in seed money
Director or Leadership – Ed Ranelli, Director of the UWF Center for Entrepreneurship
Email – bei@uwf.edu
Phone – 850.474.2536
Web- https://uwf.edu/centers/center-for-entrepreneurship/
What They Do- UWF students have the chance to pitch their entrepreneurship ideas for seed capital.
Organization Name – ITEN Wired
Director or Leadership – Kelly Reeser, Co-Founder and Managing Director
Email – kreeser@techfarmscapital.com
Phone – 850-384-0962
Web- https://itenwired.com/
What They Do- ITEN (Innovation Technology Education Network) WIRED Summit is annual conference of the Information Technology Association of the Gulf Coast, Inc. (IT Gulf Coast). It is known as the Southeast’s premier cybersecurity and IT conference to connect, collaborate and build community with industry leaders, entrepreneurs, and educators on innovation, technology and entrepreneurship topics. (This year’s conference will have a pitch competition that will total $50,000, which will be dispersed among several organizations.
Organization Name – Enterprise Florida, Office of Minority and Small Business.
Director or Leadership – Veronica Valdez, VP, MaSBEC
Email – vvaldez@enterpriseflorida.com
Phone – 407-956-5643
Web- https://www.enterpriseflorida.com/small-business/
What They Do- EFI facilitates a number of capital programs that match qualifying small businesses with lenders that can provide financial assistance and lines of credit. Our State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI) and Microfinance Guarantee programs are designed to assist small businesses in obtaining loan approvals and leverage private capital for use in startup costs, working capital, business procurement, franchise fees, equipment, inventory or the purchase of owner‐occupied commercial real estate. In addition, the EFI‐sponsored Florida Opportunity Fund provides venture capital for start-up and early-stage businesses.
a) Microfinance Guarantee Program designed to stimulate access to credit for entrepreneurs and small businesses by providing targeted loan guarantees to lenders made to such entrepreneurs and small businesses. This program provides guarantees up to 50% on loans of $250,000 or less
Organization Name – Florida Opportunity Fund, Funds to Funds Program
Director or Leadership – Laura DiBella, President
Email – laura.dibella@enterpriseflordia.com
Phone – NA
Web- https://www.floridaopportunityfund.com/
What They Do- Created to invest in seed or early-stage venture capital fund portfolios and/or companies in order to realize significant, long-term capital appreciation.
Organization Name – Citizens Bank
Director or Leadership – Lester Smith
Email – Not Listed
Phone – 850-595-6234
Web- ceii-cdc.org
What They Do- CEII understands the challenges that a small business face when attempting to obtain business capital. Our lending programs are designed to be accessible to start-ups and business owners who are unable to access traditional financing. Whether you're starting a business, need working capital, seek to purchase equipment, or desire to expand your business by purchasing commercial real estate, CEII has a financing program that just may be a perfect fit. In addition, as a U.S. Small Business Administration (S.B.A.) intermediary, CEII offers Technical Assistance to help ensure that your business grows toward success.
Bank Loans (specifically, SBA 504, 7a, Community Express etc.)
Director or Leadership – Bruce Vredenburg
Email – bruce.vredenburg@hancockwhitney.com
Phone – 850.444.3217
Web- hancockwhitney.com/
What They Do- Hancock Whitney provides SBA 504 and 7a loans, as well as other small business loans.
Organization Name - Synovus
Director or Leadership - Eddie Norris
Email - ENORRIS@synovus.com
Phone - 850-436-7832
Web - synovus.com
What They Do – Synovus provides SBA and USDA loan assistance.
Organization Name - Community Bank
Director or Leadership – Jason Crowe
Email – Jason.crowe@communitybank.net
Phone - (850) 775-1000
Web - communitybank.net
What They Do – Community Bank offers SBA loan services.
Angel and Venture Capital -
Director or Leadership – Kelly Reeser
Email - kreeser@techfarmscapital.com
Phone - 850-384-0962
Web - https://www.techfarmscapital.com/
What They Do – The fund makes early-stage and seed investments in tech or tech-enabled startups throughout the Southeast US.
Organization Name – Florida Venture Capital Program
Director or Leadership – Laura DiBella, President
Email – laura.dibella@enterpriseflordia.com
Phone – NA
Web- https://www.floridaopportunityfund.com/
What They Do- Provides funding to emerging or early growth stage companies with long-term growth potential in select target industries.
Community Infrastructure
(i.e. Who manages the zoning, sign ordinance enforcement, business licensing activities in your region?)
Director or Leadership – Cynthia Cannon, Planning & Zoning Division Manager
Email – ccannon@cityofpensacola.com
Phone – 850-435-1670
Web- https://www.cityofpensacola.com/139/Planning-Zoning-Division
What They Do – Handle the Zoning and Permitting for the city of Pensacola
Asset Map
Organization Name
Point of Contact
Email
Phone
Website
Startup Stages Served
Services
Notes
Organization Name
Point of Contact
Email
Phone
Website
Startup Stages Served
Services
Notes
Open
Open
Open
Open
There are no rows in this table
Startup Stages Served
Startup Stage
Description
Startup Stage
Description
Idea Stage
The stage where the entrepreneur has an idea for a product or service
Seed Stage
The stage where the entrepreneur is conducting research and developing a prototype
Early Stage
The stage where the entrepreneur is refining the product or service and building a team
Growth Stage
The stage where the startup is expanding and generating revenue
Maturity Stage
The stage where the startup has established itself in the market and may consider exit strategies
There are no rows in this table
Stages
Name
Column 2
Column 3
Notes
Name
Column 2
Column 3
Notes
Idea Stage
Open
IP Concept
Open
Open
Open
There are no rows in this table
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