Business Resources

Our goal is to foster an environment that supports the development of small and diverse businesses within the City of Gainesville and in our surrounding communities. 

The Mentor Protégé Program is a year-long program that pairs emerging businesses (protégés) with established businesses (mentors) to build a strong network of local diverse businesses that are well-equipped and qualified to do business with the City of Gainesville.

Mentors and protégés are paired according to industry and interest. During the year, there will be a series of enrichment sessions, where city departments, business leaders and industry professionals will facilitate discussions on diverse topics. A schedule of these sessions will be provided upon acceptance into the program.

Our expectations for mentors are to commit to the following:

• Meeting with protégé at least one time per month (online, phone, in-person… at your discretion)
• Maintaining responsive communications with protégé (agreed upon communication)
• Actively engaging protégé (i.e. offering tips/strategies to assist in business growth)
• Attend and participate in enrichment sessions

Our expectations for protégés are to commit to the following:

• Meeting with mentor at least one time per month (online, phone, in-person… at your discretion)
• Maintaining responsive communication with mentor (agreed upon communication)
• Actively engaging mentor (i.e. seeking guidance to improve business
• Attend and participate in enrichment sessions

Applications are now being accepted through December 30, 2022. Download the invitation packets for mentors and protégés, which include the applications, below.

If you have additional questions, please email If you have additional questions, please email sbpp@gainesvillefl.gov.

Mentor-Invitation-Packet.pdf(PDF, 270KB)       Protege-Invitation-Packet.pdf(PDF, 267KB)

The Small Business Administration is a federal agency designed to offer assistance to small businesses across the nation. Unfortunately, many entrepreneurs do not capitalize on the wealth of resources the SBA has to offer. This program invites Mr. Thaddeus Hammond, SBA Economic Development Specialist/JWBC DOTR, SCORE Liaison to take part in a day-long event of one-on-one appointment opportunities, in addition to workshops detailing the federal programs available to help you.

Register here

As part of our “Lunch and Learn” series, we present our Small Business Power Hour workshops. Facilitated by entrepreneurs and industry professionals, these sessions discuss vital topics impacting the small and diverse business community. To further support the development of Gainesville's small and diverse business community, these one-hour, power-packed sessions will provide attendees with information to better position them for success and working with the City of Gainesville.

Watch from your smartphone or desktop. Limited Space. Register today!

Register here - multiple dates available

Build your technical skills and be a better small business owner!
From conception to simply managing your company, owning a small business can be challenging, especially when you are unsure of how to navigate the technical aspects. Take part in workshops as facilitators guide you step-by-step on how to expertly manage and improve your company, while becoming a better leader along the way.

Register here

For more information about doing business with the city and to review current bids, please visit Financial Services.

U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) continues to help small business owners and entrepreneurs pursue the American dream. 

U.S. Small Business Administration

The Center for Innovation and Economic Development (CIED) and Gainesville Technology Entrepreneurship Center (GTEC) foster innovation and economic development by adding value and providing enrichment to individuals and organizations within our business community.

Santa Fe College Business Incubators

The Florida Small Business Development Center at the University of North Florida (Florida SBDC at UNF) provides management assistance and training to any prospective or existing small-business owner located in the following counties: Alachua, Baker, Bradford, Clay, Citrus, Columbia, Dixie, Duval, Gilchrist, Hamilton, Lafayette, Levy, Marion, Nassau, Putnam, St. Johns, Suwannee and Union.

Small Business Development Center

The Greater Gainesville Chamber of Commerce is five-star accredited chamber by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, a designation that places us in the top one percent of Chamber’s nationwide. The chamber has more than 1,300 members who employ more than 80,000 people.

Greater Gainesville Chamber of Commerce

U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) continues to help small business owners and entrepreneurs pursue the American dream.

Link to SBA

The CIED Program fosters innovation and economic development by adding value and providing enrichment to individuals and organizations within our business community.

Santa Fe CIED

The Florida Small Business Development Center at the University of North Florida (Florida SBDC at UNF) provides management assistance and training to any prospective or existing small-business owner located in the following counties: Alachua, Baker, Bradford, Clay, Citrus, Columbia, Dixie, Duval, Gilchrist, Hamilton, Lafayette, Levy, Marion, Nassau, Putnam, St. Johns, Suwannee and Union.

Link to SBDC

The Greater Gainesville Chamber of Commerce is five-star accredited chamber by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, a designation that places us in the top one percent of Chamber’s nationwide. The chamber has more than 1,300 members who employ more than 80,000 people.

Link to Gainesville Chamber