Central Florida Ecosystem

Central Florida’s entrepreneurial ecosystem provides many different channels to connect, serve, and grow our community.  Whether you are looking to get funding, get a job, or get connected to volunteer opportunities check out the organizations below to discover how you can get connected to our business community!

Growth Companies

If your company is experiencing high growth in revenue or in employees, you may be experiencing a different set of challenges than when you were just getting started.  Central Florida has a variety of organizations that are designed specifically for assisting growth companies.  As you scale from start-up to grown up, the knowledge and connections that can help you make that transition are just a click away. Connect with any of the organizations below to see how they might help or you can always call the BizLink Orange Hotline at 1-800-747-2030 to speak with a BizLink Network Navigator.

The Florida High Tech Corridor facilitates collaborations between partners in academia, industry and economic development to create communities with unlimited potential.

GrowFL is dedicated to support and accelerate the growth of second-stage companies throughout Florida, by providing their leaders with focused, efficient, and timely access to resources to increase their top-line revenue.

UCF Business Incubator Program provides business development & operational support to early-stage, innovative businesses across Central Florida. The non-profit offers four programs that are each designed to help businesses at different stages.

Investors

If you are an investor looking for companies that might fit your investment strategy? You have come to the right place!

Email a [email protected] and we will connect you with companies that are looking for investors and to local groups that work with emerging companies here in Central Florida.

If you are looking for investment in your company

If you are looking for investment in your company, there are many types of investors. Below are a few local groups that might be of assistance if you are qualified to seek investment at this time. There are many types of investors.

be advised, most commercial banks can’t lend to a new start-up but they may lend to you personally if you have qualifying credit and some existing assets.

Love Money

Many small businesses get started by seeking funds from friends and family members.  We call that “LOVE MONEY” because they know you and they love you, so they are really investing in YOU and your dream, not necessarily the business idea. This is the most utilized source of start-up capital for new businesses.  So practice your pitch on friends and family and see if you have what it takes to fund your idea.

Job Seekers & Employers

If you are looking for a job, or even a side-hustle, there a several job placement agencies in Central Florida that have resources to help you prepare and lock down that job you’ve been looking for.  Below are just a couple resources you might want to check out, but don’t forget to directly visit individual company’s websites to locate job opportunities that may not be advertised elsewhere. Best wishes in your search!

If you are looking to hire talent in Central Florida, each of the organizations listed below are constantly placing qualified candidates and many times are aware of hiring incentives that will make your day!

Career Source Central Florida curates local talent for high demand industries, meeting local business needs and cultivating growth and prosperity for the Central Florida community. Whether through job placement, training and certification programs, or higher education, we partner with Central Florida businesses, colleges, and universities to meet industry needs and connect career seekers to local opportunities.                                                                     – Career Source Central Florida

Goodwill Industries provides tools that help people overcome barriers to employment and find meaningful work. We utilize vocational services, youth programs, and disability and veteran services to enable individuals to get back on their feet, secure employment, and develop their careers. Goodwill Industries of Central Florida proudly serves Brevard, Lake, Orange, Osceola, Seminole, and Volusia counties. – Goodwill Industries

Volunteers

A great way to stay involved in your community and to meet some amazing people is to volunteer with a local organization!  There are numerous organizations doing great work in our community and many of them depend on volunteers to get it done!  Below are just a few of the organizations that you might want to check out and see how you might get involved.  If you can spare some time, you can make a difference… and it makes you feel great too!

SCORE is a national organization whose mission is to provide one-on-one coaching, business seminars, and resources for entrepreneurs in Central Florida. There are 4 chapters covering Central Florida –

SCORE Orlando – Serving Orange, Osceola, & Seminole Counties

SCORE Mid-Florida – Serving Lake, Marion, & Sumter Counties

SCORE Space Coast – Serving Brevard County

SCORE Volusia-Flagler – Serving Volusia & Flagler Counties

Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Metro Orlando (HCCMO) serves Central Florida’s seven-county area.  Members have access to unique networking, commerce opportunities with small business owners, corporations and government.

Florida PTAC at UCF, part of the Florida PTAC network, specializes in working with government contractors to develop and hone their skills, knowledge and abilities in targeting government contracts at the federal, state and local levels.  The Florida PTAC at UCF services an eight-county region that includes Brevard, Flagler, Lake, Orange, Osceola, Seminole, Sumter, and Volusia counties.

United Way of Central Florida builds stronger communities through volunteerism. When we volunteer and work together we can change our community for the better. We meet critical needs through volunteer service and civic engagement. Our projects make Central Florida a better place to live for everyone.

American Red Cross of Central Florida is guided by their mission: volunteers define, direct, and deliver critical services to families in need every day. Volunteer and use your talents to support disaster survivors, teach children and families to save lives, or assist our military members and their families in times of crisis. Through all of our programs, Red Cross volunteers help change the lives of tens of thousands local residents each year.