​​​​​​​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.

• NewVenture™ Entrepreneurship Program - 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.     
• Details on the 2025 NewVenture™ cohort:
• The 2025 NewVenture™ INFO SESSION occured on Wednesday, June 4, 2025, from 5 to 8 PM at the Broward County Governmental Center in downtown Fort Lauderdale. WATCH 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 2025 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, June 05, 2025 at 8:30AM . Click here to apply.
• Application Submission Deadline | Thursday, June 12, 2025 at 5:00 PM.
• Notification of Acceptance | Tuesday, July 01, 2025.
• NewVenture™ Begins | Wednesday, July 09, 2025.
• NewVenture™ Graduation & Pitch Competition | Wednesday, November 12, 2025. 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)

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 92 participants complete business plans.
• Awarded over $202,500 in seed money grants to 20 NewVenture™ graduates who are still in business in Broward County.

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

Program Activities 

Conference

• ​Florida International Trade and Cultural Expo (FITCE)​​
  
  
  

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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