Navigating Business Possibilities Together
You can navigate to our resources and let us connect with you to provide direct support for whatever problem you are facing or questions you have.
We'll also connect you with community resources and our partners participate in a training event or workshop to connect with experts and peers.
Consulting
- Small Business Development Center
The SBDC, located at Florida Gulf Coast University, helps in many aspects including business continuation, finding access to capital, data and business intelligence, DISC and driving forces, government contracting, growth acceleration, and international trade. To request consulting, visit their website https://fsbdcswfl.org/. - SCORE – Naples
SCORE is a nonprofit association dedicated to educating entrepreneurs and helping small businesses start, grow, and succeed nationwide. To find a mentor and request a meeting, visit their website https://naples.score.org/. - Goodwill Industries SWFL Microenterprise Program
Goodwill’s SWFL MicroEnterprise Institute assists individuals with a business idea in developing a plan to guide their start-up process or strengthen their existing business. Subject matter experts do small presentations in the class and experienced business coaches work with participants each evening to develop their plan. The next class in Naples begins Sep. 27 and runs through Nov. 4. Classes are held Monday and Thursdays evening from 6-9pm.
https://goodwillswfl.org/microenterprise/
Business Start-Up Support
- Sunbiz
Sunbiz (https://dos.myflorida.com/sunbiz/) is a great place to start is looking to register a business. You must register your business name here, and you can apply for your employer identification number here as well. Most businesses need an EIN, including those with employees and those operating as a corporation or partnership. To apply for an EIN online, go to https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/employer-id-numbers. A fictitious business name registered with the Florida Department of State is required for any individual or business entity is required before starting business in Florida. To register a business name, visit https://dos.myflorida.com/sunbiz/start-business/efile/fl-fictitious-name-registration/. - Collier county Business tax receipt
All businesses operating in Collier County must have a county business tax receipt. Obtaining a business tax receipt requires filing an application at the Business Tax Receipt Office, 2800 N. Horseshoe Drive. All commercial businesses located in the county will need approval from the Planning Department (located at 2800 N. Horseshoe Drive) and a fire inspection from your local fire department district. In some instances, permits and certifications are required from other state or county agencies. If you are using a business name, you must register the name under which you do business with the Department of State, Division of Corporations at www.sunbiz.org (850-245-6058). Business tax receipt fees vary with the kind of business. Business tax receipts run through September 30th of the following year and are to be renewed by September 30th or are held delinquent and are penalized a percentage as prescribed by law. (https://colliertaxcollector.com/business-tax-receipts/) A PDF copy of the Collier County business tax receipt form can be found here. - Open My Florida Business – The State of Florida’s Official Business Information Portal
The portal is designed to help individuals seeking to start and operate a business in the Sunshine State. By entering the type of business you wish to start, the portal will create a checklist to help you understand governmental requirements for your business category. Access the portal here http://openmyfloridabusiness.gov/
Coworking & Flexible Office Space
- Regus
Regus is the world’s largest provider of flexible workspace solutions, with customers including some of the most successful entrepreneurs, individuals and multi-billion-dollar corporations. To get a quote, visit Office Space for Rent in Naples | Serviced Office | Regus. - Venture X – Naples
Located in Mercato in the heart of Naples, the space offers a diverse community you can connect with that includes entrepreneurs, architects, tech startups, health & fitness publishers, marketing teams, financial advisors, realtors, attorneys and more. To contact of book a tour, visit Coworking Space, Shared Office Space Naples, FL | Venture X Naples South - Premiere Executive Suites
Premiere Executive Suites has single starter offices, large executive suites, team offices, double suites, triple and larger. These various sizes allow the flexibility needed in today’s changing business market. To request information or book a meeting, visit Office Space Virtual Offices & Meeting Rooms -Fort Myers and Naples FL (premiercenter.net). - Suite 200 - Naples Executive Suites
Suite 200 by Naples Executive Suites offers the right combination of space, technology, and amenities for your business needs, as well as your daily living requirements. To request more information, visit Naples Executive Suites | Executive & Virtual Offices.
Industry & Trade Associations
- Southwest Regional Manufacturing Association - SRMA
The SRMA is the conduit that brings manufacturers and the needed resources in Southwest Florida together to help them to thrive in the areas of economic development, state of the art technology, and maintaining a highly skilled workforce. Visit Southwest Regional Manufacturers Association – … your resource for manufacturing in Southwest Florida (srma.net) to become a member. - Southwest Florida Regional Technology Partnership - (SWFRTP)
The Southwest Florida Regional Technology Partnership is comprised of technology companies, technology users, economic development groups and higher education institutions united to promote and expand the regional technology sector through seminars, forums, and educational programs. SWFRTP creates linkages with IT users and service providers, education and economic institutions. To join, visit SWFL Regional Technology Partnership - Home (swfrtp.org). - Collier Building Industry Association – (CBIA)
The Collier Building Industry Association (CBIA) is a member-driven organization, providing its members with educational programs and industry resources throughout the construction industry in Collier County, Florida. The CBIA is affiliated with the Florida HBA and the National Association of Home Builder (NAHB). Visit Naples & Collier Construction & Building Association | CBIA to join. - Marine Industries Association of Collier County
Marine Industries Association of Collier County (MIACC) is a not-for-profit membership-based organization focused on the responsible growth of the marine industry for the benefit of its members, recreational boaters, the community, and the environment. To join, visit https://www.miacc.org/. - Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association (FRLA)
The Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (FRLA) is Florida’s premier non-profit hospitality industry trade association. FRLA’s more than 10,000 members include independent hoteliers and restaurateurs, household name franchises, theme parks and suppliers. FRLA provides legislative advocacy to ensure the voices of its members are heard and their interests are protected. To join, visit https://frla.org/. - 1MillionCups – Naples
1 Million Cups is a free program designed to educate, engage, and inspire entrepreneurs around the country. As a program of the Kauffman Foundation, 1 Million Cups works with entrepreneurs, empowering them with the tools and resources to break down barriers that stand in the way of starting and growing their businesses. Greater Naples Area, FL Event for Entrepreneurs | 1MillionCups.com - HR Collier
HR Collier is a vibrant group of over 200 human resource professionals who come together to discuss issues related to human resource management and to find ways to better serve their employers and employees. To join, visit https://www.hrcollier.org/. - Naples Area Board of Realtors (NABOR)
The Naples Area Board of REALTORS® and Association of Real Estate Professionals (NABOR) is a local branch of the Florida Association of REALTORS® and the National Association of REALTORS®. - CCIM – Southwest District
The mission of the Florida CCIM Chapter is to provide the highest quality marketing and networking opportunities, services, and education that will enhance our members‘ ability to conduct business successfully. To join, visit https://www.flccim.com/districts/southwest-district/.
Talent Resources
WORKFORCE RESOURCES
- CareerSource Southwest Florida
CareerSource Florida is the statewide workforce policy and investment board. Our partners include the Department of Economic Opportunity, 24 local workforce development boards and 100 career centers throughout Florida. Together, we help connect businesses with the talented workforce and training needed to succeed and grow. Helping Floridians Find Jobs and Employers Recruit Talent | CareerSource Southwest Florida - Spherion
Spherion is a staffing leader with local roots and a passion for placing the right person in the right job. Founded in 1946, we have a firm grasp on what it takes to build a strong workforce and a successful career. Spherion Staffing Services | Staffing & Temp Agencies | Job Search - Florida Southwestern State College Corporate Training Center
The FSW Corporate Training Center provides a centralized location for FSW’s corporate training initiatives, the Florida Flex Quick Response Training (QRT) and the Incumbent Worker Training (IWT) grants. It is also the focal point for FSW’s customized business training programs. - Express Employment
Express Employment Professionals is one of the top staffing companies in the US and Canada to help people find jobs and provide workforce solutions to businesses. Express has more than 800 franchise locations that provide a full tange of employment solutions that include full-time, temporary, and part-time employment in a wide range of positions. - HR Collier
HR Collier is a vibrant group of over 200 human resource professionals who come together to discuss issues related to human resource management and to find ways to better serve their employers and employees. To join, visit https://www.hrcollier.org/
JOB BOARDS
- Employ Florida
- Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association — FRLA
- Financial Planning Association — FPA
UPSKILLING AND TRAINING
- Incumbent Worker Training (IWT)
The IWT program provides grant funding and continued education and training of incumbent employees. An incumbent worker is defined as an employee working at least 37.5 hour per week and receives a W2, is at least 18 years of age, is a citizen of the United States or non-citizen with permission for employment in the US, a Florida resident working at a Florida location, and has been employed six months before date of application. Businesses can receive up to 50% reimbursement of preapproved, direct, training related costs, up to $200,000 per company. Businesses with 50 or fewer employees and in a rural or distressed area receive up to 75% reimbursement. For eligibility, the business must be for-profit registered with the State of Florida, operating for at least one year before date of application, describe the training and commitment to retain/avert layoff of employees receiving training, and provide financial viability. Not-for-profit and government agencies, retail establishments, volunteer employees, workforce development boars, labor unions, and businesses that received a IWT grant in the previous year are no eligible. Costs covered under the IWT program include tuition/training/course costs, curriculum development, and textbooks/manuals. Wages/fringe benefits, compensation, travel, food, membership fees, conferences, test/exam fees, equipment, licenses, capital improvements, and company web site design are not allowed costs. To apply and look at a sample application, visit https://careersourceflorida.com/training-grant/. - Quick Response Training (QRT)
The QRT Program provides grant funding for qualifying businesses to train new full-time employees. Partial reimbursement is given for customized, skill-based curriculum development and training to new or expanding businesses. Eligible businesses are for-profit, create new full-time jobs, create new full-time jobs in qualified target industries, require non-degree, specialized skills-based training of 12 months or less not available at the local level, create high-quality jobs paying at least 125% average annual wage, produces an exportable good or service, provide documentation for participants, and demonstrate financial viability. Reimbursable training includes a portion of instructor salaries, curriculum development, textbooks/manuals, customized skills based online training, and travel for trainer or trainees. To apply and view a sample application, visit https://careersourceflorida.com/qrt/.
* To be eligible for the QRT Program, businesses must meet Florida qualified target industries. These are high-skill industries with exportable goods or services and wages of 125 percent above state or local wages. The industries include cleantech, life sciences, infotech, aviation/aerospace, homeland security/defense, financial/professional services, manufacturing, corporate headquarters, and research and development.
* This PDF lists all industries and businesses that qualify.