FL TRIM

Florida Small Business & Technology Programs encompasses a comprehensive ecosystem of state-funded grants, loans, and incentives designed to support technology startups, small businesses, and innovation across the Sunshine State. Florida offers $142 million through the State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI), plus numerous specialized programs for high-tech, export, and innovation-focused companies.

Key programs include the Florida High Tech Corridor Matching Grants (up to $250,000 for research partnerships with UCF/USF), FL FAST SBIR/STTR Support ($4 billion annually in federal non-dilutive funding), Florida Venture Capital Program (equity investments for early-stage companies), and the Emergency Bridge Loan Program (zero-interest disaster recovery loans).

Florida's business-friendly environment features no state income tax, strong research university partnerships (UCF, USF, UF), and targeted support for aerospace, biotech, defense tech, and AI/ML companies. Programs span 23 counties from the Space Coast to the Suncoast, covering major tech hubs in Miami, Orlando, Tampa, and Jacksonville.

For ZHC builders, Florida offers accessible non-dilutive funding, strong university research partnerships, and comprehensive support from the Florida Small Business Development Center (SBDC) network. The state particularly supports technology commercialization, export development, and high-growth startups.

Florida High Tech Corridor Matching Grants

• Focus: Technology, research, AI/ML, biotech, aerospace, clean energy
• Partnership requirement: Must collaborate with UCF or USF on research project
• Coverage: 23 counties (Space Coast to Suncoast)
• Funding: Up to $250,000 per project (50% matching)
• Additional: SBIR/STTR award winners can get up to $150,000 supplemental
• Annual budget: $4 million through Matching Grants Research Program (MGRP)
• Target sectors: 11 high-tech industry sectors

FL FAST SBIR/STTR Support

• Type: Non-dilutive federal funding (retain 100% ownership and IP)
• Amount: $4 billion annually across 11 federal agencies
• Uses: Proof of concept, prototypes, technical staff, equipment, research partnerships
• Focus: Cutting-edge, high-risk technologies and R&D
• Support: Workshops, one-on-one assistance, proposal review, budget prep
• Emphasis: Economically disadvantaged small businesses in innovation

State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI)

• Total funding: $142 million
• Target: Small businesses and startups seeking expansion capital
• Types: Loan guarantees, venture capital, credit enhancement
• Goal: Expand credit access and commercial bank financing

Florida Venture Capital Program

• Type: Equity investments and convertible debt
• Stage: Early-stage companies with long-term growth potential
• Focus: Innovation-driven sectors, targeted industries
• Manager: Florida Opportunity Fund

Emergency Bridge Loan Program

• Type: Short-term, zero-interest loans
• Amount: Up to $50,000
• Purpose: Disaster recovery, bridge to permanent funding
• Eligibility: Businesses impacted by severe weather or disasters
• Timeline: Expedited funds for rapid recovery

Enterprise Florida Trade Grants

• Requirements: 2+ years in business, $250K+ annual revenue, 3-500 employees
• Trade show support: 75% coverage up to $7,500 for booth costs
• Export marketing: $4,500 reimbursement for $5,000 marketing plans
• Focus: Small and medium exporters (96% of Florida exporters)

ZHC-Specific Fit

✅ Excellent for:

• High-tech companies partnering with Florida universities (UCF, USF, UF)
• SBIR/STTR-eligible R&D companies (non-dilutive funding)
• AI/ML, biotech, aerospace, defense tech, clean energy startups
• Technology commercialization from research
• Export-focused businesses expanding internationally
• Companies within the 23-county High Tech Corridor
• Startups requiring university research partnerships
• Small businesses with $15K+ monthly revenue (for some programs)

❌ Poor fit if:

• No Florida presence or unwilling to establish operations
• Purely software/SaaS without research component
• Cannot partner with Florida universities
• Not in high-tech or innovation sectors
• Pre-revenue without research partnership
• Service-based businesses without technology focus

Florida High Tech Corridor - Application Process

Step	Timeline	Details
Identify partnership	Ongoing	Connect with UCF or USF researchers in your field
Develop proposal	2-4 weeks	Joint project plan, budget, research objectives
Submit application	Rolling basis	Applications accepted year-round
Review	4-8 weeks	Technical and commercial evaluation
Award notification	2-4 weeks	Approval and funding commitment
Project execution	12-24 months	Research, development, reporting

FL FAST SBIR/STTR - Support Process

1. Interest form: Complete SBIR/STTR support interest form
2. Training: Attend workshops, agency speaker series, webinars
3. Office hours: Bi-weekly open Q&A sessions (Tuesdays 11am EST)
4. One-on-one assistance: Topic identification, budget prep, proposal review
5. Application: Submit to relevant federal agency (11 agencies, various deadlines)
6. Matching funds: If awarded + UCF/USF partnership, apply for Corridor matching

State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI)

• Contact: Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO)
• Application: Through participating lenders and venture capital programs
• Process: Business plan, financials, credit assessment
• Timeline: Varies by program type (4-12 weeks typical)

Emergency Bridge Loan Program

• Activation: Governor-declared disaster
• Application: Expedited online process
• Requirements: Business impact documentation
• Funding: 1-2 weeks from application
• Terms: Zero-interest, short-term (bridge to permanent funding)

Enterprise Florida Trade Grants

• Eligibility check: Verify 2+ years, $250K+ revenue, employee count
• Application: Through Enterprise Florida online portal
• Documentation: Export marketing plan, trade show details, budget
• Reimbursement: Submit receipts after activity completion
• Timeline: 4-8 weeks processing

Key Support Resources

• Florida SBDC Network: Free consulting on applications, business plans, financial projections
• National Entrepreneur Center (Orlando): Mentorship and resources
• University technology transfer offices: UCF, USF, UF partnership facilitation
• FL FAST team: SBIR/STTR expertise and proposal assistance

Annual Calendar (Typical)

• Year-round: High Tech Corridor applications, SBDC consulting
• Quarterly: Various grant cycles and deadlines
• Bi-weekly: SBIR/STTR office hours
• Monthly-Quarterly: SBIR/STTR agency workshops
• As-needed: Emergency Bridge Loans (disaster activation)

Primary Programs

• Florida High Tech Corridor: floridahightech.com

  • Matching Grants: floridahightech.com/innovation-investments
  • SBIR/STTR Support: floridahightech.com/innovation-investments/sbir-sttr-support

• FL FAST Program: floridahightech.com

  • Training & Events: Register via SBIR/STTR Support page
  • Open Office Hours: Every other Tuesday 11am EST

• Florida Department of Economic Opportunity: floridajobs.org

  • SSBCI Program: Contact DEO Business Development
  • Emergency Bridge Loans: floridadisaster.org/businessrecovery

• Enterprise Florida: enterpriseflorida.com

  • Trade Grants: Export assistance programs
  • Venture Capital: Florida Opportunity Fund

• Florida Small Business Development Center (SBDC): sbdcnetwork.org

  • Free consulting, application assistance
  • Local centers throughout Florida

University Partners

• University of Central Florida (UCF): Office of Research
• University of South Florida (USF): Research & Innovation
• University of Florida (UF): Office of Technology Licensing

Federal SBIR/STTR Agencies (11 total)

• Department of Defense (DOD) - Largest funder
• Department of Energy (DOE)
• National Institutes of Health (NIH)
• National Science Foundation (NSF)
• NASA
• And 6 other federal agencies

Local Economic Development

• Miami-Dade Beacon Council
• Orlando Economic Partnership
• Tampa Bay Partnership
• Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce