EDC preparing new program for startup firms
Tallahassee Democrat –By Dave Hodges
July 4, 2010
Small high-tech companies trying to make their start in the commercial marketplace will have one more resource soon as the Economic Development Council of Tallahassee/Leon County prepares to roll out its Entrepreneurial Excellence Program to support business incubation in the area.
The program is being funded through a recently received grant of $450,000 from the U.S. Small Business Administration. According to the EDC, the Entrepreneurial Excellence Program will consist of a tuition-based course offered three times per year, based on the curriculum developed by the University of Central Florida Incubation Program.
The course will cover such basics as visioning, marketing, customer service and training, finance, entrepreneurship skills and development. It will be taught by a combination of experienced entrepreneurs, professional service providers and university faculty.
“There will be an application process. We are looking for companies who are past the tire-kicking stage and have a solid business idea, some market research, a working prototype of the product or service, and some initial working capital,” said Beth Kirkland, the EDC’s executive director.
She said the first course should be offered the fourth quarter of this year.
The program will guide startup firms through the vulnerable stages of their business development. Entrepreneurs will have access to a team of business experts, researchers and specialists who will help them identify commercial markets and create solid business plans.
“This is especially important because small, high-tech businesses currently live and die by the Small Business Innovative Research and Small Business Technology Transfer grant process,” said EDC Chairman Kim Williams, referring to other SBA grant programs.
Kirkland said Tallahassee benefits from a wide array of assistance from the Greater Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce, FAMU’s Small Business Development Center, the FSU College of Business, SCORE, Tallahassee Community College and others.
“We market all the small business resources under our Focus First on Small Business,” she added. That initiative directs EDC resources to help existing local firms expand and thrive.