Launching Smart in Florida: A Startup Essentials Workshop + Celebration!

Starting a business is exciting, but knowing where to begin can feel overwhelming. This hands-on workshop is designed to guide aspiring and early-stage founders through the 10 foundational priorities for launching a business in Florida.

From validating your idea and choosing the right legal structure to understanding licensing, taxes, insurance, and cash flow management, participants will walk away with a clear, practical roadmap for building a compliant and sustainable business.

Designed with Florida’s unique regulatory and market environment in mind, this session also highlights key regional considerations such as seasonal demand planning, hurricane preparedness, and community-driven growth strategies that can impact long-term success.

In addition to foundational business insights, learn more about the newly formed FAUs Entrepreneurship Institute and how the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) provides hands-on support in critical areas, including:

• Business planning
• Financial projections
• Access to capital guidance
• Marketing strategy
• Licensing and compliance navigation
• Ongoing advisory services to help scale and sustain growth

Whether you're just exploring a business idea or preparing to launch, this workshop will help you move forward with clarity and confidence.

💼 The 's mission is to help entrepreneurs start, grow, and sustain successful businesses through expert advising, training programs, and practical tools. They specifically serve businesses in Palm Beach County and Broward County, making them a key regional resource for founders in South Florida.

The Florida SBDC at FAU is a member of the Florida SBDC Network, a statewide partnership program nationally accredited by the Association of America's SBDCs and funded in part by the U.S. Small Business Administration, Department of Defense (DoD), State of Florida, and other private and public partners, with the University of West Florida serving as the network's lead host institution. Florida SBDC services are extended to the public on a nondiscriminatory basis. Language assistance services are available for limited English proficient individuals. Reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities and/or limited English proficiency will be made if requested at least two weeks in advance.

🚀 The new is a centralized program launched in April 2026 within the Florida Atlantic University College of Business to oversee and accelerate innovation across South Florida. It integrates multiple university initiatives, including the Adams Center for Entrepreneurship, The Runway at Florida Atlantic, and the FAU Wave Program, to support founders from ideation through venture.

The institute builds on FAU's record of supporting approximately 300 ventures and raising $178 million in capital. FAU's entrepreneurship programs were recently ranked among the Top 20 in the nation. The Entrepreneurship Institute is directed by Kevin Cox, Ph.D., who was named the 2025 Florida Entrepreneurship Educator of the Year.

QUESTIONS? INTERESTED IN SPONSORSHIP?

👉🏽 Email Nikki Cabus at [email protected]

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

FAU Office Depot Center, 777 Glades Road, Boca Raton, United States

Concerts, fests, parties, meetups - all the happenings, one place.

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