Funded in 1976 by the US Small Business Administration (SBA), the Florida Small Business Development Center Network (FSBDCN), one of eight original SBDC pilot programs, successfully links the state's education system with community outreach to aid in the development and education of the state's entrepreneurs and small business community.

Starting with only two service centers in the first year of operation, the FSBDCN has grown to a statewide network of approximately 40 centers involving universities, colleges and other economic development partner organizations. Additional outreach is provided at approximately 60 circuit rider locations utilizing resource partners such as chambers of commerce, economic development councils, banks, etc. Today, the FSBDCN is one of 63 SBA-funded SBDC programs, with locations in every state and US territory.

State designated as Florida's Principal Provider of Business Assistance
[§ 288.001, Fla. Stat.], the FSBDCN is the only statewide provider of entrepreneurial services and plays a vital role in Florida's economic development initiatives by:

• assisting entrepreneurs in every stage of the business cycle, from prospective entrepreneurs to mature businesses looking for growth opportunities and more;
• working with firms in all industry sectors; utilizing the expertise and resources of some of the best colleges and universities in Florida;
• accessing the resources of a national network of more than 1,000 centers; and
• accrediting nationally through the Association of SBDCs by Congressional mandate.

The synergistic effect of this partnership program has resulted in many years of positive revenue growth for the state, an impressive FSBDCN return on investment and multiplied success for Florida's small business community. The foundation of Florida's economy is 99% small business, and the Florida SBDC Network is their Principal Provider of Small Business Assistance.

Since its inception, the Florida SBDC Network has consulted 402,528 small business owners and entrepreneurs with 1,778,404 hours of one-on-one consulting and conducted 35,989 business training events for 741,050 participants.

In 2011, Florida's SBDCs helped its clients open 1,026 businesses; create and save 16,914 jobs; win government contract awards worth $313.9 million; acquire $96.6 million in capital for business formation and expansion; and enjoy sales growth worth $317.9 million.