Welcome to the Miami-Dade Business Navigator

The Miami-Dade Business Navigator (MDBN) program is an exciting local initiative funded (in part) through a grant from the U.S. Small Business  Administration (SBA). It is led by the Florida Small Business Development Center (FSBDC) at Florida International University’s College of Business (FIU Business) in partnership with six experienced community organizations: Ascendus, Branches, the EDC of South Miami-Dade, the Miami-Dade Chamber of Commerce, Prospera, and StartUP FIU Procurement. Through the program, the group of community partners will connect with underserved local entrepreneurs in Miami-Dade County to launch, grow and revitalize their businesses. The MDBN program focuses on small businesses—including microbusinesses with fewer than 10 employees—owned by women, veterans, and socially and economically disadvantaged individuals.

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About Us

Meeting small businesses where they are to help them survive and thrive

Miami-Dade County is one of the most diverse and dynamic counties in the country. It is a great place to start or grow a business with quality resources and programs here for small businesses. But we know that navigating government programs and small business resources can be complicated. That’s what we’re here for. The Miami-Dade Business Navigator program utilizes deeply trusted community-based organizations to guide small businesses to all the community resources, services and programs that are available for your business. MDBN provides additional capacity to these trusted local groups to reach more businesses in the community and create a stronger local network of Miami-Dade small business providers. The goal is to improve access to the assistance you need to start a new business, grow an existing business, or recover from the impacts of the pandemic.

The first step is to set up a no-cost consultation so we can learn more about you and your business. After that, we can connect you to a Navigator to provide consulting, training, or access to critical resources.

Services

The one-on-one technical assistance, training and information entrepreneurs need to succeed

There are a number of barriers local entrepreneurs face when navigating government programs and resources. Whether it is overcoming language or cultural barriers to entry, breaking down programmatic silos, or bringing industry experts directly to small businesses, Miami-Dade Business Navigators are here for you. Our program has three key components:

» One-on-One Business Assistance
» Training and Outreach Assistance
» Connectivity to Small Business Networking, Resources, and Information

Services and trainings are available in English, Spanish, and Kreyol. Critical resources and assistance you can access include:

Startup Assistance

Financial Management and Access to Capital Assistance

Marketing/Sales, Business Strategy, and Operations

Government Contracting and
Procurement Assistance

Industry-specific training

Upcoming Events

Ascendus

For over 30 years Ascendus has provided small business owners with the loan capital and coaching to move up, improve their lives, care for their families, and contribute to their communities. At Ascendus, we work with business owners to customize a program that creates financial ascension. We’re more flexible than other lenders, and we see beyond traditional lender measures and forms.

Branches

Branches develops and implements programs that address the root causes of poverty. Its micro-business program provides services to supports participants in becoming economically self-sufficient through entrepreneurial activity. These include: business assessment and readiness workshops; comprehensive business management training; personal one-on-one financial coaching; one-on-one business technical assistance; and ongoing business mentoring services.

Economic Development Council (EDC)

The Economic Development Council (EDC) of South Miami-Dade’s seeks to improve and advance quality of life, expansion of businesses and job creation through the implementation of projects that harness sustainability and resiliency through economic development, infrastructure improvements, education and skilled workforce. The EDC of South Miami-Dade’s primary mission is to increase the overall economic vitality of South Dade communities.

Miami-Dade Chamber of Commerce (MDCC)

The Miami-Dade Chamber of Commerce (MDCC) was founded in 1974 to objectively advocate the needs of a growing Black business community. Today, MDCC is one of the most diverse minority and woman Chambers of Commerce in South Florida focused on providing technical assistance and resources that create opportunities for economic and social transformation in communities in Miami-Dade County.

Prospera

Prospera is an economic development organization specializing in bilingual business development services for underserved entrepreneurs. The organization’s mission is to help start, sustain, and grow Hispanic-owned businesses to achieve community prosperity. Prospera empowers entrepreneurs through training, individual consulting, and additional resources so their businesses can grow and prosper.

Startup FIU

Start FIU Procurement is designed to help unlock economic growth, by becoming procurement-ready with government and private institutions. Industry experts and partners are committed to supporting entrepreneurs by providing educational tools that would help them evaluate business environment, innovate, and strategize to overcome the challenges that could impact financial growth and expansion while providing a network connecting to opportunities.

SBDC at FIU

FIU's College of Business and the Florida SBDC Network have joined forces to bring local companies a team of highly experienced business experts who offer confidential, no-cost consulting to entrepreneurs and business owners looking to grow. If you own a business with 3 or more employees, or are launching a scalable venture, we are ready to help you successfully navigate the obstacles that often hinder business growth.

Partners

Miami-Dade County has a strong small business ecosystem. The Miami-Dade Business Navigator program is proud to have the partnership, assistance and support of key business and community leaders, organizations and other groups across the county. The following organizations and groups are collaborating with our network to better serve your business:

Axis Helps Miami
Baptist Health South Florida
Catalyst Miami
Catalyst Miami
Miami Bayside Foundation
Miami Downtown Development Authority
Strive305
Catalyst Miami
CareerSource South Florida
The Miami Foundation
Univision
WQBA
Amor 107.5
Unimas Miami
Radio Mambi
Mix 98.3
BBB
AO BUSINESS NETWORK
MDPLS
Trinity Church TV
Trinity Church TV
Trinity Church TV
Trinity Church TV
Trinity Church TV
ACTIONZONE
MIAMIBEACH
DORAL FLORIDA
ELEVATE D5
Grupo Mulheres do Brasil
MIAMI DADE PUBLIC SCHOOLS

If you would like to partner with the MDBN program on consulting, training or outreach in your community in Miami-Dade, please fill out the “ Become a Partner ” inquiry form.

Client Successes

Mind Over Matter Allied Health

Mind Over Matter Allied Health

Ideal Music Box

Ideal Music Box

Kimone's Cake Art Studio

Kimone's Cake Art Studio

Lil Chef Big Food LLC

Lil Chef Big Food LLC

JC Supplier, LLC

JC Supplier, LLC

Attunergy

Attunergy

Tinajita LLC (dba Vegallia)

Tinajita LLC (dba Vegallia)

Live Like You Green It

Live Like You Green It

LCT-E Learning Solutions

LCT-E Learning Solutions

Metro Mommy Agency LLC

Metro Mommy Agency LLC

Mav Inc

Mav Inc

Makeup by Rory Lee

Makeup by Rory Lee

Athlon Rub

Athlon Rub

Stacy's Naturals

Stacy's Naturals

Indigo Events Corp.

Indigo Events Corp.

Lifestyle Gear LLC

Lifestyle Gear LLC

Alabao Roofing Services

Alabao Roofing Services

Allyi Inc.

Allyi Inc.

Place of Aroma LLC

Place of Aroma LLC

Cognitive Wellness, LLC

Cognitive Wellness, LLC

Gradible

Gradible

Print Web and Social Media Design

Print Web and Social Media Design

Designs by Sommer LLC

Designs by Sommer LLC

Upright Spine Center

Upright Spine Center

Lavish Touches

Lavish Touches

Vila Kids LLC

Vila Kids LLC

WYSP Skin Studio

WYSP Skin Studio

Anointed Florist & Gift Shop LLC

Anointed Florist & Gift Shop LLC

Land Airline

Land Airline

Imago Art LLC

Imago Art LLC

Insinet Group LLC

Insinet Group LLC

TPE Coaching & Consulting

TPE Coaching & Consulting

Exclusive Tonsorial Services

Exclusive Tonsorial Services LLC

Thrive Loop LLC

Thrive Loop LLC

Swirls Frozen Yogurt

Swirls Frozen Yogurt

NFoods Base LLC (DBA Y'all Foods)

NFoods Base LLC (DBA Y'all Foods)

Alpha International Transport LLC

Alpha International Transport LLC

HJ Construction Group, Inc

HJ Construction Group, Inc

Zulia Market Discount

Todo Dollar Store Exito Supermarket
(dba Zulia Market Discount)

305 Aero Supplies, LLC

305 Aero Supplies, LLC

Mariana Foods

Mariana Foods

Mailing Logistics LLC

Mailing Logistics LLC

In the News

The latest Miami-Dade Business Navigator news

We’re excited about the Miami-Dade Business Community Navigator program, and so is the media! Check back here for updates and news, and reach out to Navigators@fiu.edu with questions or requests.
 

Contact

Connect with us!!!
 

Address:
FIU Downtown at Brickell
1101 Brickell Avenue, South Tower
Room 204
Miami, FL 33131

Email Us:
Email: Navigators@fiu.edu

Call Us:
Call: (305) 779-9244