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Conferences
OESBD hosts two annual signature conferences.
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Educational Programs

​Kauffman Foundation FastTrac® Entrepreneurship Development Programs

These programs equip aspiring, established, and growth entrepreneurs with business skills, insights, tools, resources, and peer networks to start and support successful enterprises. The program was created by the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, the world's largest foundation devoted to entrepreneurship. The program includes the following:

  • The Intentional Entrepreneur™ - This is a half-day workshop for aspiring entrepreneurs to establish a one-year vision.
  • Listening to Your Business™ - This is a half-day workshop for existing business owners to develop a three-year business strategy.
  • Kauffman NewVenture™ - This course is for aspiring entrepreneurs to develop a business concept and business plan (10-module course). As a Kauffman Foundation FastTrac® affiliate, OESBD is hosting the NewVenture™ Entrepreneurship Program to help entrepreneurs refine their business concept, identify the components of a strong business plan, and access the appropriate resources for launch. At the end of the course, completed business plans will be evaluated and the top three will be eligible to compete for seed money grants.

 

Half-Day Workshops


Register for an Intentional Entrepreneur Workshop:


Register for a Listening to Your Business Workshop:


Register for the Kauffman NewVenture™ Information Session:

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Details on the 2026 NewVenture™ cohort:


NewVenture™ Entrepreneurship Program Statistics:

  • Assisted over 665 entrepreneurs through Listening to Your Business™ and Intentional Entrepreneur™ workshops.
  • Graduated 139 entrepreneurs from our four (4) FastTrac® New Venture™ courses.
  • Helped 103 participants complete business plans.
  • Awarded over $225,000 in seed money grants to 23 NewVenture™ graduates who are still in business in Broward County.​

The 2026 NewVenture™ INFO SESSION will take place on Wednesday, April 8, 2026, from 6-7:30PM at the African American Research Library Cultural Center (AARLCC) in Fort Lauderdale. WATCH THE 2025 RECORDING (via YouTube)

 
IMPORTANT Information:

  • Applying for NewVenture™ is free and open to Broward County residents.
  • Space in the NewVenture™ Program is limited; this is a competitive application process.
  • The 2026 cohort is open to all business types and concepts.
  • NewVenture™ sessions will start in June on Wednesdays (unless otherwise noted) from 5 to 8 PM for accepted applicants ONLY and will culminate in a Graduation and Pitch Day. All program activities will be held at the Broward County Governmental Center in downtown Fort Lauderdale (unless otherwise noted).

 
IMPORTANT Dates:

  • NewVenture™ Application Period | Thursday, April 9, 2026 at 8:30AM. Click here to apply.
  • Application Submission Deadline | Friday, April 17, 2026 at 5:00 PM.
  • Notification of Acceptance | Tuesday, May 5, 2026.
  • NewVenture™ Begins | Wednesday, May 13, 2026.
  • NewVenture™ Graduation & Pitch Competition | Friday, September 18, 2026. The time and location will be announced as the event date nears.

 
Eligibility Criteria for NewVenture™:

  • A well-researched idea for a new business
  • Broward County based early-stage small business owners (3 years or less)
  • Two years of work experience
  • Access to a computer to complete assignments
  • Conducted some market research
  • Commitment to attend all sessions (approximately 30 classroom hours) and complete prep work (approximately 15-20 hours per week)

Contact our Economic Development Specialist at 954-357-6400 to learn more. All information noted above is subject to change.​

International Trade Business Development 

OESBD offers multiple programs for business owners to explore opportunities in international trade. These activities range from primers in exporting to extensive learning courses and special events. Programs are offered to suit the needs of any business interested in going global.  

Program Activities 

Conference
Workshops

  • Business Opportunities and Trends - For business owners to explore international markets

  • Florida Export Opportunities – For business owners interested in global market growth by exporting to featured countries

  • “Doing Business With” – For business owners to learn about conducting business in foreign markets

Seminars
  • “11 Steps to Exporting – A Roadmap to Your Exporting Success”

  • Export Readiness

​Contact our International Trade Specialist at 954-357-6400 to learn more.​​​​

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Activities
Kauffman FastTrac® New Venture
Are you interested in developing your own successful business? Watch to learn about Broward County's Entrepreneurship Program - Kauffman NewVenture™. This is a free certificate program that is open to all Broward County residents and is designed to guide aspiring and early-stage entrepreneurs on the path to success. NewVenture™ is offered in partnership with the Kauffman Foundation. The Broward County Office of Economic and Small Business Development is a Kauffman Foundation FastTrac® affiliate.