The FSBDC at FIU is part of national and statewide networks dedicated to helping new and existing businesses grow and prosper by providing free and low-cost consulting and training. Our services cover a variety of business needs including business formation, marketing, financing, and strategic planning.

We provide consulting in:

• Start-up assistance
• Business strategy
• Financial management
• Marketing and sales
• Access to capital
• International trade
• Government contracting
• Operational efficiency

Our local team of consultants tailor their expertise to your business challenges.

Yes. We offer one-on-one business consulting, training workshops, market research, referrals to community resources, and support in securing financing.

Our consulting can improve efficiency, increase revenue, and enhance decision-making. We help you to work “smarter, not harder” in your business. FSBDC at FIU consultants help identify growth opportunities, streamline operations, and create effective marketing strategies to strengthen your bottom line.

This service is for you if you’re an entrepreneur or business owner seeking expert advice and are ready to take action to start or grow the business. You should be actively engaged in your business. FSBDC at FIU services are not for you if you’re expecting the FSBDC at FIU consultants to directly manage your business, execute on consultant recommendations, or provide you with direct loans/grants.

Visit our website at sbdc.fiu.edu. On the website you can review our available services and consulting team backgrounds. Then click on the "Register Here" button to request a consultation.

Click on the "Register Here" to request a consultation. Once we receive the registration, we will review it and determine how best FSBDC at FIU or one of our community partners can best assist you. You will hear from our team via email or phone on next steps.

You should be actively engaged in your business, be open to changes, and be prepared to share relevant information related to growing your business.

It varies. Consultations usually last up to an hour, with follow-up sessions depending on your specific business needs and timeline.

We use a combination of virtual meetings, phone calls, and email.

Most FSBDC at FIU services are offered at no cost to clients.

The center's sole fee-based, specialized service is an Export Marketing Plan (EMP) for businesses looking to expand to new export markets or export for the first time. More information on the EMP service is available here: https://floridasbdc.org/services/consulting/international-trade/

No, FSBDC at FIU does not directly provide grants. However, we can help identify available grants, loans and funding opportunities in the community.

A business plan may be required for financing-related services. Collateral may be necessary when seeking funding.

No. FSBDC at FIU provides expert guidance and tools, but you manage your day-to-day operations and must execute on any consulting recommendations.

No. For tax or legal issues, consult with a qualified tax or legal professional.

We serve Miami-Dade and Monroe Counties and have offices in both counties:

Miami-Dade

Address: 1101 Brickell Avenue, South Tower, Suite 300, Miami, FL 33130

Hours: Monday–Friday: 9 AM to 5 PM

Monroe County

Address: 300 Southard St., Suite 205, Key West, FL 33040

Hours: By appointment only

Email Bonnie Barnes: bonnie.barnes@FloridaSBDC.org to schedule an appointment.

Visit the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) website to find an SBDC near you. The tool to search for a local SBDC is available at: sba.gov/sbdc.

A: Yes. A Spanish-language preregistration form is available on our website. Scroll down to the very end of our website and click on the desired language as shown in the picture below:

B: Sí, ofrecemos pre-registro en español. Puede encontrar el formulario de preregistro en español en nuestro sitio web bajando hacia el fondo de la pantalla y seleccionando el idioma que prefiere.

FSBDC at FIU is a partner organization to the U.S. Department of Defense APEX Accelerator program. To register to meet with a local APEX Accelerator consultant, visit the Florida APEX Accelerator website at:  https://www.flapex.org/

The SBA helps small businesses get funding by setting guidelines for loans and reducing lender risk. These SBA-backed loans make it easier for small businesses to get the funding they need. Visit our Financing section or contact us for application support.

FSBDC at FIU services are available in a nondiscriminatory way to aspiring entrepreneurs or business owners who are lawful permanent residents; U.S. nationals; U.S. citizens; or individuals with immigrant visas leading to a path to permanent residency. Clients self-certify that they are eligible for SBDC services.

We generally do not provide services to: businesses involved in loan packaging, passive real estate investments, multi-level marketing/sales, or gambling/illegal activities defined by Federal law.  Additionally, clients must be operating small businesses or planning to operate a business in Miami-Dade or Monroe Counties.

Generally, FSBDC at FIU clients have revenues of $20 million or less and services are best suited for small to medium-sized businesses.

We provide free consultations, loan packaging support, business plan assistance, and guidance in identifying funding opportunities (loans, lines of credit, grants).

Some loan programs are available for startups, while others require a minimum amount of time in business.

Yes. A business plan strengthens your application, is required for many types of financing, and helps you better plan your business strategy. FSBDC at FIU can assist you in developing a business plan.

Yes, residency or legal status may affect eligibility for certain SBA or other Federal financing programs.

Requirements vary by lender, but typically a credit score of 650 or higher is preferred.

This depends on the lender. Some require 2+ years in business, while others have startup-friendly options.

Some programs accept businesses in growth or recovery stages if you can demonstrate viability.

Many lenders require a personal guarantee, and collateral may be needed for larger loans.

For access to capital services, FSBDC at FIU consultants work with for-profit entities including sole proprietorships, LLCs, partnerships, and corporations.

Bring your most recent financial statements, tax returns, and a summary of funding needs (e.g., acquisition, equipment, expansion, overhead, hiring).

We assist with commercial loans, microloans, Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) loans, SBA loans, lines of credit, local government grants, and other financing options.

We help you understand loan requirements, strengthen your application, and increase your chances of approval. Additionally, FSBDC at FIU consultants can connect you with sources of financing depending on your business stage and capital needs.

Visit go.fiu.edu/sbdc-events for upcoming workshops, seminars, and training opportunities.

When you register on our event page go.fiu.edu/sbdc-events, we reserve your spot and send you the confirmation email. The Join via Zoom button in that email opens the Zoom’s page, which asks for your name and email to generate your unique, secure join link. This helps prevent unwanted access and ensures you enter the FIU Zoom protected platform.

The best way to stay informed about our latest events, training opportunities, and small business resources is by joining our email newsletter! You'll receive regular updates on upcoming workshops, webinars, funding opportunities, and expert insights to help your business grow.

👉 Sign up for our newsletter here.

We’d love to hear your feedback! Your reviews help us continue improving our services and allow other small business owners to learn about the resources we offer. If you’ve worked with one of our consultants or attended an event, please take a moment to share your experience on our Google page.

👉 Leave us a review on Google here.

Presentation materials are shared exclusively with participants who attended the event. A follow-up email is sent within three business days after the event, including the presentation and any additional resources.

The Florida SBDC at FIU is funded through federal and state grants, and our impact is measured by the results we create in the community. Your feedback helps us understand the topics that interest small business owners, evaluate how we performed, and identify ways to improve. By completing the event feedback form, you help us ensure our programs continue to deliver high-quality, impactful services tailored to your needs.

All previously hosted webinars are available on our official YouTube channel. There, you can access full recordings, revisit key insights, and stay informed on the topics that matter most to your business growth.

🔗 Watch now: Visit our YouTube Channel

Should you need an ADA accommodation to participate in a university event, program, or activity or need to request materials in an accessible format, please contact FIU’s Office of Civil Rights Compliance and Accessibility (CRCA) at 305-348-2785 or accommodations@fiu.edu. All requests for ADA accommodation or accessible materials for this event must be submitted to CRCA at least seven (7) business days prior to the event or at the earliest possible opportunity.

Each year, we publish client success stories highlighting how local entrepreneurs have grown their businesses with the help of our consultants.

To read our latest feature, visit our GrowBiz Blog at growbiz.fiu.edu

You do not have to be a client to attend our workshops, webinars, or special events — they’re open to all entrepreneurs and small business owners looking to learn and grow.

However, becoming an SBDC client offers additional benefits, including:

• No-cost one-on-one consulting with our business experts
• Customized business assessments and growth strategies
• Access to exclusive tools, data, and market research
• Guidance on funding, marketing, and operations tailored to your business needs

If you’re interested in seeing whether you’re eligible to become an SBDC client, we encourage you to complete a consultation request form.

👉 Request a Consultation

Our webinars are held virtually and open to participants from any state, so you can attend from wherever you are. However, in-person workshops are typically hosted for businesses within the region served by that specific SBDC. If you’re located outside of Miami or outside of FIU’s service area, you can still participate by connecting with the SBDC nearest to your business location. Find your local Florida SBDC center: https://floridasbdc.org/find/ Locate an SBDC anywhere in the U.S.: https://americassbdc.org/find-your-sbdc/

Yes! The Florida SBDC at FIU – Florida Keys Center serves businesses throughout the Florida Keys and Monroe County. This is an appointment-only center, providing one-on-one consulting, business development support, and resources tailored to your needs. Location: 300 Southard Street, Suite 205, Key West, FL 33040 Contact & Appointment Scheduling: Schedule a consultation online: Book here Phone: (305) 779-9230 This center is perfect for local entrepreneurs and small business owners looking for personalized guidance in the Keys. If you’re located outside of Miami or outside of FIU’s service area, you can still participate by connecting with the SBDC nearest to your business location. Find your local Florida SBDC center: https://floridasbdc.org/find/

The Florida SBDC at FIU regularly collaborates with community partners across Miami-Dade and Monroe counties to host events that support local entrepreneurs. If your organization is interested in exploring partnership opportunities, please contact sbdcevents@fiu.edu.