What is the FSBDC Network?
A network of Small Business Development Centers (SBDC's) in Florida referred to as the Florida Small Business Development Center Network. The FSBDC Network is administered from the FSBDC Network State Director's Office in Pensacola. Our SBDC's are hosted primarily by colleges and universities and located throughout Florida. Each SBDC provides counseling and business expertise in their area to small business owners or those who want to start a business in Florida. We are non-profit and are funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration. Our purpose is to provide entrepreneurs with the one-on-one counseling, management training and the related information they need to start, grow and prosper in business.

Does the FSBDC Network or the local SBDC's lend money?
Neither the FSBDC nor the local SBDC's lend money. Your local SBDC can help you locate sources of financing and help you prepare the necessary business planning documents to apply for a loan. However, you must apply through the normal application process for a loan, and you must supply all the pertinent records required. All Small Business Administration (SBA) loans and loan guarantees are handled through banks.

What services do the local SBDC's offer?
The local SBDC's offer everything from extensive one-on-one counseling and small group workshops to large group meetings on important business topics. Training topics cover many areas of business operations including Business Start-up, Financial and Cash Flow Analysis, Accounting and Recordkeeping, Marketing and Sales, and Business Planning.

Do the SBDC's charge for services?
The SBDC's do not charge for counseling services but occasionally there are small fees for seminars and workshops.

Does the FSBDC Network have an SBDC in my area?
There are many centers throughout Florida. Find the SBDC nearest you.

Where can I get information about starting a small business?
For information about starting a small business visit the SBDC in your area. They will provide you with the information and resources you need to start a small business.

Can I apply for services on-line?
Yes! Free and confidential on-line business consulting is available from every SBDC in Florida. A Certified Business Analyst (CBA) from an SBDC conducts the consulting via email.

Does the FSBDC Network sell business licenses, fictitious names, etc.?
The FSBDC Network does not sell business licenses, documents of incorporation or fictitious names, etc. Neither the FSBDC Network nor any of the SBDC's perform any licensing function at all. The SBDC in your area will assist you with this business function.

Where can I get loans, grants, or other financing for my business?
There are many sources for business financing including bank loans, SBA guaranteed loans, private money, and collateral money. The kind of financing most entrepreneurs seek through commercial lenders is debt financing. Most banks provide debt financing for existing and start-up businesses. SBA loans, which are guaranteed by the SBA, are made by private-sector lenders.

Grants given to business start-ups are very rare. An exception may be for high tech businesses or for businesses producing products that can be used by certain agencies or departments involved in our nation's defense.

Workshops, consulting, and publications to help you with locating and applying for financing are available from the local SBDC in your area.

Does the FSBDC Network provide legal patent searches?
The FSBDC Network is pleased to offer preliminary patent searches for Florida's inventors. This patent search process is not designed or guaranteed to replace a full legal search. First, Business Analysts at your local SBDC will guide you in business plan preparation and assess the market for your product idea. Then, if you determine that your idea has market potential, the SBDC will perform the preliminary Patent Search. If the report is positive, the SBDC will refer you to patent attorneys, agents or inventor assistance organizations while continuing to assist with your business plan development. The patent searches focus on the patent's abstract information. The patent database can be searched using key words and Boolean combinations. To request a preliminary patent search, contact the SBDC in your area.

Click to read more about patent searches.