Entrepreneurs
Do you have a passion?
launch & grow your start-up
Starting your own business usually requires a considerable financial investment, deterring many potentially successful individuals from ever pursuing a life of entrepreneurship. Quite literally, the BCEx experience could be life-changing for an enterprising entrepreneur - those who only need to put in the sweat equity to realize their dream of becoming their own boss. We provide the tools to succeed - will you finally take that next step?
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.
How to launch a business with BCEx:
It starts with an idea...
From idea development to pitching for venture funding - let's take a look at the steps you can take to turn your idea into a start-up business with BCEx. You've got nothing to lose by joining - you might even just be part of the next big thing! We're excited to help!
join “start-up now”
sign up for 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.
start-up now program steps
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.
complete the Start-up
now program
finish our 6 month intensive program
The Start-Up Now program will take 15-20 hours a week out of class and includes workshops, hands-on research and mentor meetings. While it's not for the faint of heart, it certainly prepares you for the real-world demands of running your own business!
start-up now program benefits
Networking &
connections
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.
venture
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.
Ability to pitch
for venture funding
Earn the opportunity to pitch for seed funding from the J. David Armstrong, Jr. Student Venture Fund.
pitch for funding
J. David Armstrong, Jr. student Venture Fund
If you’ve completed the Start-Up Now program and would like to seek funding for your business, qualified entrepreneurs are eligible to pitch for venture funding from the J. David Armstrong, Jr. Venture Fund - just like you'd see on ABC's Shark Tank!
Criteria for venture funding
- Applicants must have completed or be currently enrolled in a Broward College degree or program, and/or engaged in BCEx’s entrepreneurship toolkit program, or enrolled in CareerSource Broward’s Start Up Now program.
- Concepts must be proven, minimally viable or ready for commercial development.
- Concepts must have sustainable points of differentiation.
- Applicants must identify customer archetypes and a compelling value proposition.
- Applicants must have background and skills required for success.
Use our start-up incubator to grow
Grow your business using the Innovation hub’s services
All entrepreneurs who have completed Start-Up Now can take part in our on-campus business incubator - the Innovation Hub. It is here where you can get help with support services for growing your start-up into something larger, utilizing the available services within the Innovation Hub.
innovation hub’s services
Make meaningful connections
Sometimes your business success comes down to who you know. Whether it's our coaches, mentors, teachers, events or other students - there's no shortage of networking opportunities.
- Access to business mentors
- Access to business angels/venture capitalists
- Networking events
- Access to shadow advisory boards
A new way to think
Not sure what to do next with your start up? Utilize the knowledge of our staff, coaches and mentors to help walk you through some of the pain points at getting your business off the ground.
- Innovative thinking tools
- Entrepreneurial process mapping
Develop your start up
The Innovation Hub is essentially the business incubator of BCEx. For entrepreneurs looking for resources to grow their business, we have a solution for you.
- Formal introductions to potential key partners
- Structured acceleration program
- Access to "short-term" business programs
- Business services
Your new place to do business
A business needs a place to grow - that's why we have a whole floor of our downtown campus off Las Olas dedicated to efficient, low-cost office space. Work amongst other entrepreneurs to get your start up off the ground.
- Private offices & workspaces available
- Meeting rooms
- Access to office equipment
- Wi-fi access
BCEx 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
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
