Overview
WHo is eligible?
Everyone is eligible for the services provided via the Innovation Hub - not just students. Members of the community can rent space, apply for the “Start-Up Now” program, and work towards developing their business.
Why the innovation hub?
The Innovation Hub is our “business incubator”, providing a host of services to start-ups, including mentorship, networking, and a chance to pitch for venture funding. Our “Start-Up Now” program is available to those who have a qualified start-up idea.
launch YOUR IDEAS HERE
We’re a start-up incubator for entrepreneurs, small business owners, students & Investors
By the numbers
$20k
Worth of education and mentoring with the Start-Up Now program.
$0
The Start-Up Now program is FREE for entrepreneurs who qualify.
12
College credits awarded on successful program completion.
CareerSource Broward’s Start-Up Now Program
Start-Up Now is Broward County’s leading accelerator program, in partnership with CareerSource Broward, funded by an i6 Challenge Grant from the US Department of Commerce. Learn how to develop your innovative idea and start a successful small business. We provide the resources: about $20,000 worth of best practices, education and mentoring, plus 12 college credits – all FREE of charge, if you qualify.
Learn the ropes
We start by introducing you to key concepts in entrepreneurship, marketing, and finance that you’ll want to know to give you a comfort level when speaking to investors and others.
Develop your plan
Next, we help you determine product-market fit using a proven methodology and a framework of accountability. If you have that fit, you move on to writing your business plan and developing your pitch—facilitated by a successful serial entrepreneur and with the advice and mentoring of experienced entrepreneurs, investors, and C-level professionals.
be accountable
Finally, we begin holding you accountable to what you said you would do as you participate in your first CEO peer group. Start-Up Now pays for about $20,000 worth of best practices, education and mentoring, plus 12 college credits and the Technical Certificate in Entrepreneurship from Broward College. You, however, pay to start your business and meet specific deliverables.
other benefits to enrolling in the start-up now program
- Networking
- Mentorship
- Pitch for funding
Other benefits to enrollingin the start-up now program
Networking
By completing the Start-Up Now program, you will grow a network of entrepreneurs, investors and high-level executives that will help you as you begin this journey.
Mentorship
You will have opportunities to obtain additional mentoring through The Venture Mentoring Team, a 501c3 non-profit that screens and works with start-ups.
pitch for funding
Earn the opportunity to pitch for seed funding from the J. David Armstrong, Jr. Student Venture Fund.
innovation hub services tour
Let's take a quick tour of the advantages of growing your business within the Innovation Hub @ BCEx.
Make meaningful connections
The Innovation Hub @ BCEx is your one-stop solution for meeting the right people who can help you grow your business aspirations. From mentors to networking opportunities, we invite you to come shake a few hands.
innovative thinking tools
Access to the latest business acceleration learning tools, principles in entrepreneurship and best practices.
Entrepreneurial process
mapping
Learn how to develop a business process solution template, transforming inputs and ideas to outputs and profit.
Develop your start-up
Work with like-minded entrepreneurs to take your idea from concept to a successful launch. Participants in the Start-Up Now program even have the opportunity to pitch for funding with investors.
Your new place to do business
Many successful businesses started in a garage, but well, this is South Florida! The Innovation Hub @ BCEx has everything you need to manage your business in comfort while being surrounded by tons of resources. Check out how we can help below.
Grow your business in your own las olas workspace
Privateoffices
- 24/7 access
- Las Olas Mailing Address
- Fast WiFi & prints
- Kitchen Area
- Free access to Innovation Hub events
Dedicatedworkspace
- 24/7 access
- Las Olas Mailing Address
- Fast WiFi & prints
- Kitchen Area
- Free access to Innovation Hub events
sharedcoworking
- 24/7 access
- Las Olas Mailing Address
- Fast WiFi & prints
- Kitchen Area
- Free access to Innovation Hub events
Communalworkspace
- Access during business hours
- Fast WiFi & prints
- Free access to Innovation Hub events
All workspaces are located at our campus in Downtown Fort Lauderdale, FL
Sherrell Brown
Hear from Sherrell Brown, founder of Just Like Mee!, an all-inclusive, diverse "party-in-a-box" start-up that was born from the Start-Up Now program. Sherrell recaps her experience in the program and how it helped launch her custom party supply company.
Innovation Hub events
we’d love to see you!
From networking and meet-up opportunities to speaker and workshop sessions, BCEx has plenty of ways to take the next step in growing your ideas. Swing by an event and talk with the team @ BCEx to see how we can help with your plans for your future.
may, 2024
Event Type
No Events
Make a connection or two
Partners
We value those who help support the community through partnerships with BCEx. Here are the companies who make our program initiatives possible.
Randall Vitale
President at Hoffman's Chocolates
Angelo Anzalone
Principal Owner of Veritas Legal
Jayson Koss
Founder and CEO of Delivery Dudes
Joshua Esnard
Inventor & CEO of The Cut Buddy
Kristian Bouw
Founder, Notion Theory
Claudio Sorrentino
Entrepreneur
Have questions?
BCEx Innovation Hub Q&A
Have questions about BCEx or any of its programs? We’ve put together some helpful questions and answers below. If you still have questions or want to get involved, we’d love to discuss with you!
i am a Student
If you’re a current Broward student and have a business idea you’d like to explore, we’ll walk you through how to develop & refine your idea into a sustainable business via our Idea Lab.
i am an entrepreneur
You don’t have to be a Broward student to benefit from our business incubator. Click below to see how we help entrepreneurs launch & grow their start-ups.