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Innovation
hub

The Innovation Hub is a mixed-use business incubator, focusing on housing a dynamic community of entrepreneurs, start-ups, mentors, advisors and investors, and serving as a one-stop resource for business owners, innovators and committed individuals pursuing their entrepreneurial ambitions.

Interested? Let’s talk!
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> Innovation Hub
BCEx
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

  • Affordable workspaces

    Need a place to grow your start up? We have low-cost workspace options available at our downtown campus, right off Las Olas.

  • Business coaching, mentorship & Networking

    You don't have to go at it alone. Our Innovation Hub is a space for networking with other business owners while receiving coaching & mentorship from our partners and staff.

  • A pathway to funding

    For those that need start-up funds, the Innovation Hub is also the place that will prepare you to pitch for seed money from the JDA Venture Fund.

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innovation hub

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.

Now

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.

01

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.

02

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.

03

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.

01

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.

02

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.

03
apply for start-up now!

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.

apply to the start-up now program today!

innovation hub services tour

Let's take a quick tour of the advantages of growing your business within the Innovation Hub @ BCEx.

01
Networking

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.

access to business mentors
Who better to help guide you through the start-up process than the ones who have already been through it? Come talk to other successful entrepreneurs for valuable insight in how to launch.
access to business angels/venture capitalists
Anyone working out of the Innovation Hub has potential opportunity to engage the BCEx partner angel investors for a shot at funding.
networking events
There's no shortage of events at BCEx. Your participation in the Innovation Hub allows you access to entrepreneurial events happening @ BCEx.
access to shadow advisory boards
We partner with many strategic individuals and companies, some of which have an active role on our advisory board.
02
design thinking

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.

03
business incubator

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.

formal introductions to potential key partners
BCEx has partnered with strategic partners to specifically help our students and entrepreneurs take their ideas to new heights. You'll be introduced and given a chance to catch their interested.
structured acceleration program
Think you have what it takes to be a successful entrepreneur? Try out our 6-month intensive start-up accelerator, the Start-Up Now program. The Innovation Hub @ BCEx is at the center of the program.
Access to “short-term” business programs
If your schedule doesn't permit the intense demands of our Start-Up Now program, you can still take advantage of our short-term business programs.
business services
The Innovation Hub is about always growing, learning and evolving. If you have any questions about our services, feel free to reach out to us!
04
intrastructure

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.

wi-fi access
Don't let slow internet hold you back. All of our workspace solutions have high-speed wi-fi access included so you don't miss a beat.
private offices & workspaces available
Dreaming of having your own private office? We have fully furnished office spaces for when you just need to close some doors to concentrate. Grab one before they are all booked!
meeting rooms
You need a place to meet with your team and potential clients - we got you covered. Reserve a room and impress potential investors.
access to office equipment
All workspace options have access to the office equipment within the Innovation Hub. We have everything you'd need to run your start-up efficiently.
Interested? Let’s talk!
01
Networking

Make meaningful connections

  • Access to business mentors
  • Access to business angels/venture capitalists
  • Networking events
  • Access to shadow advisory boards
02
design thinking
  • innovative thinking tools
  • Entrepreneurial process mapping
03
business incubator

Develop your start-up

  • formal introductions to potential key partners
  • structured acceleration program
  • Access to “short-term” business programs
  • business services
04
intrastructure

Your new place to do business

  • wi-fi access
  • private offices & workspaces available
  • meeting rooms
  • access to office equipment
rates

Grow your business in your own las olas workspace

$700/mo

Privateoffices

Your own fully furnished office.
  • 24/7 access
  • Las Olas Mailing Address
  • Fast WiFi & prints
  • Kitchen Area
  • Free access to Innovation Hub events
$525/mo

Dedicatedworkspace

Furnished open cubicle at the Hub.
  • 24/7 access
  • Las Olas Mailing Address
  • Fast WiFi & prints
  • Kitchen Area
  • Free access to Innovation Hub events
$200/mo

sharedcoworking

Your own workspace in an open office.
  • 24/7 access
  • Las Olas Mailing Address
  • Fast WiFi & prints
  • Kitchen Area
  • Free access to Innovation Hub events
$100/mo

Communalworkspace

First come, first served acess.
  • 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

let’s find a workspace for you
BCEx
Spotlight story
“
“

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.

Sherrell's innovation hub experience
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

Q&A
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!

”
DO YOUhave an idea?
954-201-7402
bcex@broward.edu
Copyright © 2024 | Broward College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, genetic information, national origin, marital status, sex, disability, or age in its programs and activities. View our non-discrimination policies and Title IX.
broward STUDENTS
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.

let’s develop your idea
ENTREPRENEURS
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.

see how we can help
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