“This collaboration with Broward County’s OESBD is a testament to our shared pledge to nurture entrepreneurial talent and foster economic growth,” said Kelley Shanley, Interim Executive Director at the Levan Center of Innovation. “By providing these startups with the resources and support needed, we are empowering individual entrepreneurs while also contributing to the overall prosperity of our community.”
This strategic partnership includes a satellite office where the County will provide specific services. The Office of Economic and Small Business Development (OESBD) will host Technical Assistance Fridays to highlight the services and resources available through OESBD to businesses interested in Broward County’s local and federal small business certification programs. The County’s Innovation Team will also use the facilities, and, on a rotational basis, other County agencies may similarly utilize the facility.
OESBD Technical Assistance Fridays will be held at the satellite office on the first and third Fridays of every month beginning in December. Hours will be 8:30AM-4:30PM. The office is located at the Levan Center in the Alvin Sherman Library, Research, and Information Technology Center at 3100 Ray Ferrero Junior Boulevard, 5th floor, Fort Lauderdale, 33314. To meet with available OESBD staff, call 954-357-6400 to schedule appointments.
“Our County Commission goals of Connected Community and Economic Opportunity are supported through the provision of essential services through collaborations we cultivate with key partners embedded in the community. The Alan B. Levan | NSU Broward Center of Innovation offers a range of programs to support entrepreneurs from ideation through successful execution. By expanding those offerings with even greater access to government contracting as well as local and federal certification programs, we promote a more inclusive community of entrepreneurs better equipped to succeed,” said Monica Cepero, County Administrator, and member of the Levan Center Board of Governors.
“Establishment of a satellite office represents an innovative means of outreach to Broward County local businesses and entrepreneurs. The County’s purposed expansion of its strategic partnership with Nova Southeastern University is evidence of our commitment to continuous process improvement and intention to maximize the synergies of well-cultivated partnerships,” said Sandy-Michael E. McDonald, Director, OESBD.
In further support of the Kauffman NewVenture™ Entrepreneurship Program, the County has secured 100 Start-Up Entrepreneurship Project scholarships for the graduates of the 2024 Kauffman NewVenture™ Cohort. This project supports startup and scaleup companies with a one-year scholarship providing access to the resources including a dedicated community desk, entry to programs, invitations to events, utilization of wraparound services, access to potential funders, and introductions to professional networking opportunities thereby facilitating their growth and success within a collaborative and innovative environment. Scholarships were presented to the graduates on October 16, 2024, at the Levan Center.
For more information on theAlan B. Levan | NSU Broward Center of Innovation, please visit
nova.edu/innovation.
(Courtesy of Levan Center of Innovation)
