Minority Business Resources

Looking for assistance programs geared toward minority, woman-, and veteran-owned businesses? Here are just a few of the organizations that can help. 

Florida Department of Economic Opportunity offers a Black Business Loan Program that provides loans, loan guarantees, or investments through loan administrators to black business enterprises that cannot obtain capital through conventional lending institutions, but who could otherwise compete successfully in the private sector. To learn how to apply contact:

Florida Black Business Support Corporation
(850) 765-0375

Tampa Bay Black Business Investment Corporation
(813) 425-2043

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Florida State Minority Supplier Development Council (FSMSDC) administers a variety of programs and services to provide an atmosphere for business development and networking for minority business enterprises (MBEs), including technical assistance and capacity-building services, educational resources and events. Certified MBEs may apply for funding through FSMSDC’s loan fund or Business Consortium Fund’s (BCF) direct lending program.
(305) 762-6151

Florida Women's Business Center (FWBC) offers networking opportunities and other helpful resources for women entrepreneurs, including one-on-one counseling sessions that are available by appointment. FWBC’s parent organization - the TED Center (www.tedcenter.org) offers business incubation services and access to state-of-the-art computer technology.
(561) 265-3790 x111

Hispanic Business Initiative Fund provides bilingual assistance to Hispanic entrepreneurs who are seeking to establish or expand their business in Florida, including free seminars in Spanish and loan information.
(786) 329-5830

MetroBroward is a community development financial institution that provides lending services to small businesses - with at least 51% of ownership represented an ethnic minority - which will create jobs in and for the residents of low wealth communities.
(954) 587-3755

The Broward County Office of Economic and Small Business Development provides small business certification services including Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) or Airport Concessions Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (ACDBE) program requirements for small businesses seeking to bid on Broward County procurement contracts.
(954) 357-6400.

The Office of Supplier Diversity, Florida Department of Management Services offers loan mobilization, certification, mentor-protégé and other programs aimed at improving opportunities for woman-, veteran-, and minority-owned small businesses seeking to do business with the State of Florida.
(850) 487-0915

The U.S. Small Business Administration provides resources helpful to all small business owners along with information about opportunities geared specifically toward minority-, Native American-, people with disabilities-, woman-, and veteran-owned businesses.
South Florida/Miami District Office: (305) 536-5521

Veterans Business Outreach Centers provide veterans with entrepreneurial development services such as business training, counseling and mentoring.
(800) 542-7232