BROWARD COUNTY, FL - Broward County and the Alan B. Levan | NSU Broward Center of Innovation (the Levan Center) announce the expansion of their strategic partnership. On April 16, 2024, the Broward County Board of County Commissioners approved funding for the County to become a Corporate Partner of the Levan Center and to award 20 scholarships for the 100 Startup Project to graduates of the 2024 Kauffman FastTrac® NewVenture™ Entrepreneurship Program.
This strategic partnership includes a satellite office where
the County will provide specific services. The Office of Economic and Small
Business Development (OESBD) will host Technical Assistance Fridays to
highlight the services and resources available through OESBD to businesses
interested in Broward County's local and federal small business certification
programs. The County's Innovation Team will also use the facilities, and, on a
rotational basis, other County agencies may similarly utilize the facility.
OESBD Technical Assistance Fridays will be held at the
satellite office on the first and third Fridays of every month beginning in
December. Hours will be 8:30AM-4:30PM. The
office is located at the Levan Center in
the Alvin Sherman Library, Research, and Information Technology Center at 3100
Ray Ferrero Junior Boulevard, 5th floor, Fort Lauderdale, 33314. To meet
with available OESBD staff, call 954-357-6400 to schedule appointments.
"Our County Commission goals of Connected Community and
Economic Opportunity are supported through the provision of essential services
through collaborations we cultivate with key partners embedded in the
community. The Alan B. Levan | NSU Broward Center of Innovation offers a range
of programs to support entrepreneurs from ideation through successful
execution. By expanding those offerings with even greater access to government
contracting as well as local and federal certification programs, we promote a
more inclusive community of entrepreneurs better equipped to succeed,"
said Monica Cepero, County Administrator and member of the Levan Center Board of Governors.
"Establishment of a satellite office represents an
innovative means of outreach to Broward County local businesses and
entrepreneurs. The County's purposed expansion of its strategic partnership
with Nova Southeastern University is evidence of our commitment to continuous
process improvement and intention to maximize the synergies of well-cultivated
partnerships," said Sandy-Michael E. McDonald, Director, OESBD.
In further support of the Kauffman NewVenture™
Entrepreneurship Program, the County has secured 100 Start-Up Entrepreneurship
Project scholarships for the graduates of the 2024 Kauffman NewVenture™ Cohort.
This project supports startup and scaleup companies with a one-year scholarship
providing access to the resources including a dedicated community desk, entry
to programs, invitations to events, utilization of wraparound services, access
to potential funders, and introductions to professional networking
opportunities thereby facilitating their growth and success within a
collaborative and innovative environment. Scholarships were presented to the graduates
on October 16, 2024, at the Levan Center.
"This collaboration with Broward County's OESBD is a testament to our shared pledge to nurture entrepreneurial talent and foster economic growth," said Kelley Shanley, Interim Executive Director at the Levan Center. "By providing these startups with the resources and support needed, we are empowering individual entrepreneurs while also contributing to the overall prosperity of our community."
About the Office of Economic and Small Business Development
The Office of Economic and Small Business Development is responsible for promoting economic development and supporting Broward County's small businesses. Areas of focus include workforce development, business expansion and retention, small business growth, business development and outreach, international trade and export readiness, entrepreneurial development, and promoting Broward County as a film destination. Services are delivered by the agency and through partnerships with federal, state, local, and private sector organizations. The Office promotes equal access to Broward County's procurement opportunities for small business enterprises in local and federal small business programs and helps position small businesses and aspiring entrepreneurs to take advantage of opportunities while growing their businesses in and beyond Broward. Like, follow, and find us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube - @BrowardCountyOESBD or on X - @BCOESBD. Call 954-357-6400 for more information or visit the website. About the Alan B. Levan | NSU Broward Center of Innovation
The Alan B. Levan | NSU Broward Center of Innovation is a public-private partnership between Nova Southeastern University (NSU) and Broward County. The Levan Center is "The World's First Theme Park for Entrepreneurs™", for entrepreneurs and supporting stakeholders located in a 54,000 sq. ft. purpose-built facility in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The Levan Center of Innovation is focused on three themes (innovation, technology, entrepreneurship) and four pillars known as the Founder's Journey (Ideate, Incubate, Accelerate, Post-Accelerate). The Levan Center of Innovation serves the NSU and South Florida communities resulting in breakthrough ideation, new technologies, talent skills pipeline, company formation, job creation, and scaling of early-stage and young startup companies. Each of the four pillars are supported by customized programs, events, and wraparound services. The Levan Center of Innovation is an economic and education development engine for linking South Florida with local, regional, national, and international impact. By powering the innovation ecosystem, the Levan Center of Innovation is a major stakeholder in the establishment of an innovation hub for South Florida. For more information, please visit nova.edu/innovation. November 20, 2024
MEDIA CONTACT: Monique S. Headley, MSOL Public Information Officer/Community Relations and Outreach Manager
Office of Economic and Small Business Development
954-357-6400
mheadley@broward.org