Welcome To
The Startup Roadmap

Start your journey to entrepreneurship with 30+ tools hand-curated by The Spring Entrepreneur Hub.

View Resources
The Spring logo

30+ Tools For Entrepreneurs

Start your journey to entrepreneurship with 30+ tools hand-curated by The Spring Entrepreneur Hub.

View Resources

11 Steps To Get Your Business
Up And Running

Build your business with this last of hand-curated resources
from the Pensacola ecosystem.

Step 1: Validate Your Idea & Create A Business Plan

Have a business idea? Validate your idea and create a business plan with mentorship programs and accelerators in the Pensacola area. 

Startups on the block

Startups On The Block

Incubator

Got a startup idea? Join Startups on The Block and get connected.

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Another logo for 1 million cups

1 Million Cups

Pitch

Caffeinating entrepreneurs nationwide every Wednesday.

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Jetty

Jetty Iot

Incubator

A resource center for those passionate about a better tomorrow.

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UWF

MBA Entreprenuership

Consulting

Have a team of MBA students present solutions for a problem you’re facing.

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SBDC

Small Business
Development Center

Consulting

Powerful tools, effective training and valuable resources for small business.

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Step 2: Get Funding

Looking for funding? Partner with these local companies that are looking to invest in small businesses in the state of Florida. 

CEII logo

Community Enterprise Investments Inc.

Funding

Need funding to start or grow your business? Community Enterprise Investments Inc. can help. Apply for a business loan in four simple steps.

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Florida opportunity fund

Florida Oppurtunity Fund

Funding

Identifying and investing in early growth stage companies, focused on diversified, high-quality opportunities in the state of Florida.

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Florida First Capital logo

Florida First Capital Finance Corp.

Funding

Florida First Capital has helped thousands of clients achieve their small business dreams through their loan programs. They are experts that you can turn to for growth.

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tech farms capital

Tech Farms Capital

Funding

Tech Farms Capital enhances entrepreneurial ecosystems by Investing in and developing startups to generate great returns.

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Step 3: Licensing & Permitting

Business licenses are designed to protect you and your business. Keep yourself from being personally liable by getting set up with a business license. 

Escambia County

Escambia County

Permitting

Escambia County provides you with the information for business licenses.

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City Applications logo

City Applications

Permitting

Apply for a business license in Pensacola, Florida.

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Pensacola logo

Florida First & Future

Permitting

Apply for a business license with Pensacola Florida's First & Future.

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Step 4: Accounting & Legal

Accounting plays an important role in running a business. Businesses of all sizes need to track income and expenses. Schedule a 15 minute call with a Spring staff member and we’ll get you connected with local individuals and organizations to help you track and manage your startup’s finances.

Step 5: Branding & Design

Build a relationship with your audience and express who you are with a strong brand and visual identity. To learn how you can build a brand that people connect with, schedule a 15 minute call with a Spring staff member and we’ll get you connected with the right people and firms. 

Step 6: Marketing & Promotions

Reach a new audience and capture leads with a marketing partner or by taking your marketing in-house. Looking to partner with a local marketing agency to help? Schedule a 15 minute call with a Spring staff member and we’ll get you connected. Check out these ondemand training videos to learn ways you can implement marketing and social media tactics now.

SCI Logo

Messaging Matters: Virtual Branding

Marketing & Promotions

When you are in survival mode, "branding" might be the last thing on your mind. However, hard times can often make or break a brand. last thing on your mind. However, hard times can often make or break a brand. You have to be even more intentional about managing it during times of uncertainty.

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SCI Logo

Virtual Selling, Prospecting, & Networking

Marketing & Promotions

In this 1 hour webinar session, we’ll talk about the significance of creating the process and structure by which we sell during times of uncertainty, how buyers are making decisions, and how to have conversations about state and gaps no one has ever experienced.

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SCI Logo

Winning Business on Social Media

Marketing & Promotions

It’s not a question of whether or not social media is an effective sales tool. The question is whether or not it’s working for you. Corey’s presentation unpacks the sales process and provides a step-by-step plan for winning business on social media.

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SCI Logo

Marketing & Promotions

The key ingredient for impactful social media marketing is having an actionable strategy. In this 2.5-hour workshop, you’ll learn everything you need to know about creative social media strategies: how to plan, write, and execute one that delivers.

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Step 7: Sales & Distribution

Understanding what to price your product or service and how to deliver it to your customers is key to the success of your business. Discover who can help you price and deliver your service by scheduling a 15 minute call with a Spring staff member.

Step 8: Location

Determining where your business is located and how customers can find you is crucial to the success of your business. Whether you’re planning on being based in your home, a retail space, or a food truck, there is much to consider. To learn how you can find the best location for your business, schedule a 15 minute call with a Spring staff member.

Step 9: Staffing

Looking to grow your team? Hire talented individuals so you can focus on your strengths and grow your business.

Gulf coast chamber of commerce logo

Gulf Breeze Chamber of Commerce

Staffing

The Gulf Breeze Area Chamber connects communities and commerce through leadership, advocacy and collaboration. They provide support for business in the community.

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UWF

Military & Veterans Resource Center at UWF

Staffing

UWF has been recognized as a gold-level University in the large public school category on the list of Military Friendly Schools.

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UWF

UWF College of Business

Staffing

UWF's College of Business is invested in building an experienced and educated workforce ready to enter today’s dynamic business world.

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UWF

Career Center (UWF, PSC, George Stone)

Staffing

At Career Center, you can tap into the distinctive and robust talent that exists at UWF. Click the link to learn more about the talent that exist in our community.

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Minority Business Chamber logo

Gulf Coast Minority
Chamber of Commerce

Staffing

To serve as an advocate and the conscience of the Minority and Small Business Community, promoting and assisting in procurement opportunities, business development strategy, increasing operating capacity and other economic assets while striving to ensure economic fairness for all.

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Chamber of commerce logo

Greater Pensacola Chamber of Commerce

Staffing

The Chamber provides leadership and resources to a diverse audience, including community & military leaders, entrepreneurs, business executives and educators.  We offer numerous programs & events to help our members develop strategic relationships within the business community.

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Pensacola Young Professionals logo. PYP logo

Pensacola Young Professionals

Staffing

Pensacola Young Professionals was created in 2006 to be a voice for the young pros of Pensacola. We started with taking a stand on the Maritime Park initiative and have made it our mission to be catalysts for positive change ever since.

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Step 10: Mentorship

Looking for continued support? Connect with entrepreneurs and business leaders in our community and get world-class mentorship.

The Spring logo

The Spring VMS Program

Mentorship

Connecting entrepreneurs with carefully selected experts in residence.

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SCI Logo

SCI Accelerate Roundtable

Mentorship

Connecting like-minded business leaders to accelerate their business.

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gBETA logo

gBETA Pensacola

Mentorship

A seven-week accelerator for early-stage companies with local roots.

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Step 11: Launch 🎉

Congratulations, It’s time to launch your startup! Now it’s time to prepare for your grand opening and set yourself up for a successful road ahead. To learn how The Spring can help you run and scale your business, schedule a 15 minute call with a Spring staff member.