The American economy has long been built on small businesses that together create innovation and wealth on a large scale.
In 1976, U.S. Small Business Administration leaders recognized that dynamic when they began funding what is now called the Florida Small Business Development Center, or SBDC, Network — the state’s official small business assistance provider with offices at local universities.
The Florida SBDC at Florida Gulf Coast University is the network’s Southwest Florida chapter: a resource for entrepreneurs, mom-and-pop shops, family-run companies and people with the desire but not always the business acumen to turn their passion into a profession.
Small businesses, whether in health care, real estate, construction, retail, food services, the arts or other industries, make up most businesses across the United States and in SWFL. They are officially defined for government contracting purposes as those with fewer than 500 employees and less than $7.5 million in annual revenue.
The SBDC’s clients are typically smaller than that but have an outsized economic impact. FGCU economists found that firms with fewer than 20 employees account for about 25% of employment in Lee, Collier, Charlotte, Hendry and Glades counties.
At the heart of the SBDC’s services, hundreds of business consultants make up a deep pool of expertise and experience. They help shape clients’ entrepreneurial ideas into market-ready business plans and provide ongoing support as they grow.
“They guide you and ask those questions you wouldn’t think of or know of, like how to fund the project and write a business plan,” says Kevin Noble, who founded the Southwest Florida artisan coffee truck Noble Brews with his wife, Daniela, in September 2024. “They really helped with providing those tools and assistance and guidance.”
SBDC’s team at FGCU now includes 15 business consultants. In 2025, they logged meetings with 1,322 clients for 12,426 hours, helping support more than 5,000 jobs. They provided guidance on 281 capital transactions ranging from thousands to millions of dollars for startup funds, manufacturing, government contracting and other needs. And they helped create 113 new SWFL businesses.
“Our work is grounded in a strong commitment to collaboration, innovation and delivering meaningful impact to the small business community,” says Elizabeth Goldbach, assistant director of the Florida SBDC at FGCU. “We are equally committed to delivering high-quality service; fostering strong relationships; and ensuring access to the tools and knowledge business owners need to move forward with confidence.”
Two upcoming events are planned to celebrate the SBDC’s 50th anniversary, along with the entrepreneurs and regional economies that benefit from their work.
The Florida SBDC Network 2025 Small Business Success Summit in Tampa August 18-19, 2025.
SBDC Network
Distinguished Entrepreneur Awards
On May 6, the SBDC at FGCU is set to host its 14th annual Distinguished Entrepreneur Awards at the university’s Cohen Center Ballroom.
The event highlights the contributions of local business leaders, including legacy companies and startups, during the SBA’s National Small Business Week.
It is likely that the event will sell out the 240-person capacity ballroom, said SBDC marketing coordinator and awards event lead Anthony Myles.
Organizers are planning for the special 50th anniversary occasion with elevated decor, food and music that offer an elegant feel with a “business casual” dress code.
“We do it to showcase the whole region, and SWFL is one of the fastest-growing regions of the state,” Myles says.
Last year, Noble Brews was recognized with the William O. Webb Award for “a business that embodies creativity, visionary growth and commitment to our community,” according to the SBDC.
The SBDC will also recognize an Entrepreneur of the Year, Servant Leader of the Year and Emerging Business of the Year.
The Florida SBDC at FGCU team provided more than 12,000 hours of consulting in 2025, guiding 1,322 clients, facilitating 281 capital transactions and helping fuel job growth across Southwest Florida.
SBDC Network
Small Business Success Summit
On Aug. 17-18, the statewide Florida SBDC Network will host its fith annual Small Business Success Summit at Sunseeker Resort on the Charlotte Harbor in Port Charlotte. Along with keynote speakers and presenters who will offer a wide variety of educational resources for companies, the Summit offers a unique opportunity to learn from and mingle with business consultants, contractors and other professionals from across the state. The Summit’s Reverse Trade Show also offers a chance to connect with government agencies and contractors to explore partnership opportunities.