Programs & Services

FSMSDC delivers programs and services with one driving factor: YOUR SUCCESS.
Our programs and services are designed to assist businesses in laying a strong foundation to ensure they are ready to compete in the global market.

Business Programs & Services

Miami Open for Business Technical Assistance (Miami-Dade Companies ONLY)

Technical Assistance as part of The Miami Foundation Open for Business Fund.

Florida State Minority Supplier Development Council’s Technical Assistance initiative focuses on providing technical assistance, including small business trainings, workshops, and consulting to entrepreneurs, across Miami-Dade County, as part of The Miami Foundation Open for Business Fund.

The Miami Foundation Open for Business Fund aims to support historically underserved small businesses and nonprofits in Miami-Dade County build resilience and generational wealth through the purchase and ownership of critical business assets, such as technology, equipment, machinery, inventory, and property.

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Technical Assistance Program (TAP)

Provide results-oriented services free of charge to minority-owned businesses

The Technical Assistance Program (TAP) for small, minority-owned businesses is designed to help your business thrive in today’s complex, rapidly changing and uncertain environment.

Operated by the Florida State Minority Supplier Development Council (FSMSDC), TAP provides professional assistance and training from expert business consultants and coaches. Think of TAP as an extension of your team.

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SBA 7(j) Management & Technical Assistance (MTA) Program

Training to help small business owners become government contract-ready and ultimately grow successful through federal, state and local contracting opportunities.

The SBA 7(j) Management & Technical Assistance (MTA) Program is a federally funded program administered by the U.S.Small Business Administration (SBA) via multiple grantees. This specific SBA 7(j) MTA Program is facilitated by the Florida State Minority Supplier Development Council (FSMSDC). This training program is designed to help small business owners become government contract-ready and ultimately become successful through federal, state, and local contracting opportunities.

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FDOT DBE Specialized Development Program

Work with DBEs and prime contractors to increase the number of DBEs participating in FDOT contracts and the dollar percentage awarded to DBEs.

The primary goal of the DBE Specialized Development Program is to increase the number of DBEs participating in FDOT contracts and the dollar percentage awarded to DBEs by providing assistance to Prime Contractors and facilitating the development of DBEs to obtain contracts.

This effort will be concentrated on the larger contracts identified by the Department including those contracts advanced in the 21st Century Transportation Plan.

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Minority Business (MB) Classification Program

A new opportunity to make connections and grow your business! Discover how the FSMSDC Minority Business (MB) Classifications Program can help your business stand out in Florida and grow through new relationships.

If you are a minority business owner seeking to expand your net worth, make your business stand out in the state of Florida and/or connect with other minority businesses, we now have two additional classifications that will allow us to serve your business and help you begin the path to becoming a nationally certified MBE.

Consider listing your Minority Business in our Official MB Classifications Program. List your minority business to let others know about your business, services, and products.

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COVID Response & Relief Business Program

Provided results-oriented services free of charge to businesses that were impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The COVID Response & Relief Business Program was a federal program that provides assistance to minority-owned companies. Its goal was to provide results-oriented services, free of charge to businesses that have been impacted by the coronavirus pandemic.

The program, consultants, resources, and training were complimentary for qualified minority businesses. This program was fully funded by the U.S. Department of Commerce Minority Business Development Agency’s Coronavirus Response & Relief Award and is operated by the Florida State Minority Supplier Development Council (FSMSDC).

Corporate Programs & Services

Join as a Corporate Member

A corporate member (buying entity) is a large public or private company, university, hospital, government agency or other large buying institution that is committed to Supplier Diversity Programs and to purchasing from certified Minority Business Enterprises (MBEs).

Criteria and Process

  1. Applicant agrees to promote the general development of minority-owned business in the community.
  2. Applicant pays such annual dues as may be set by the Board of Directors.
  3. Applicant subscribes to the development of minority business and agrees to undertake the establishment of a minority business development program in its company.
  4. Applicant agrees to report its business activity with minority-owned businesses on a confidential basis to the Council. These results will be published in aggregate for all member companies.
  5. Applicant agrees to designate a primary contact for the Council and shall attempt to participate in and send appropriate representatives to a majority of all the Council’s events.

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Rapid Response Project

Let our team help you source and identify MBEs that can meet your supply chain/buying needs.

Let our team help you source and identify MBEs that can meet your supply chain/buying needs. We will respond within 24 hours.

Supplier Diversity Roundtable

Join other leaders in our supplier diversity community to discuss issues, best practices, and innovative ideas that will diversify our supply chains, contribute to company success and have a positive global impact.

Certifications

Minority Business Enterprise Certification

Increase the visibility to your minority business with our trusted MBE Certification.

Get access to business opportunities, expert consultations, programs, events, and increased visibility with corporate and government buyers that are looking for your minority business.

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Minority Business (MBE) Classifications Program

Qualify for bidding opportunities, increase your minority-owned company’s access to large buying organizations and grow your visibility across the supply chain with the nationally recognized and trusted MBE Certification.

If you are a minority business owner seeking to expand your net worth, make your business stand out in the state of Florida and/or connect with other minority businesses, we now have two additional classifications that will allow us to serve your business and help you begin the path to becoming a nationally certified MBE.

Consider listing your Minority Business in our Official MB Classifications Program. List your minority business to let others know about your business, services, and products.

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MBE Subscription Services

Make a greater impact in the marketplace through access to value-added services designed to help you grow your business.

The Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) Subscription Services is an add-on that provides a multitude of value-added services for MBEs. The Subscription was created upon recognizing the need to help businesses make an even greater impact in the marketplace. MBEs are not required to purchase the Subscription Services.

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Events

Annual Kick-off

Join us for our Annual Kick-off and discover the exciting opportunities available for your business in the coming year.

At the Annual Kick-off Meeting, you will:

  • Learn about new tools and partnerships to help you grow your business and improve supplier diversity programs.
  • Discover ways to use the Council’s programs and services to grow your company.
  • Hear about success stories and meet the Board of Directors and staff.

Annual Business Expo

MBEs have the opportunity to meet with and showcase their products to corporate and government buyers in a relaxed and professional setting. Attend many matchmaking sessions with large buyers that are looking for your business!

Business Impact Awards

The Annual Awards Gala is the Council’s signature event, which recognizes the achievements of Florida’s top minority-owned businesses, dynamic industry leaders and major buying organizations that are committed to supplier diversity.

PowerNet Matchmaking

A PowerNet is a corporate-sponsored matchmaker targeting MBE attendees with the capabilities, products, and services the corporation seeks. Vendors present to a target audience of buyers and procurement managers in an open setting for the opportunity to spark a new business relationship.

Educational Resources

Knowledge City

There are many ways to gain a competitive edge.

Business owners understand that a crucial factor is not only who you know, but also what you know. Continuing education is a must for MBEs to grow, develop and stay competitive.

FSMSDC has launched a value-added educational library with courses for certified MBEs to give you that competitive advantage. There are only 300 licenses available, so access to the online courses is on a first come, first serve basis.

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COVID Resources for Business Owners

We’ve been helping businesses thrive and grow for over 45 years, and we help corporations and government agencies with their supplier diversity goals.

We’ve assembled an important and timely list of resources and information, including loans, assistance with loan packaging, technical assistance, webinars, resources to help minority suppliers during this downturn,  advice on business continuity and strategies for managing remote workforces. We’ll be updating these resources regularly, as information, recommendations, executive orders and opportunities change.

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EOS Toolbox

Minority entrepreneurs and businesses are crucial to the fabric of our economy and our society.

That’s why the world not only needs what your business has to offer — it needs you to succeed.  EOS (the Entrepreneurial Operating System®) has teamed up with FSMSDC to provide you with simple, practical, and proven business-building tools used by over 80,000 companies around the world, resulting in what we call Vision, Traction®, Healthy

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Kellogg Scholarship Program - Summer 2023

The Advanced Management Education Program (AMEP) program will be hosted virtually by Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management

The Florida State Minority Supplier Development Council is pleased to announce that the Marlin Cano Kellogg Advanced Management Education Program (AMEP) will be held Summer of 2023 at the James L. Allen Center in the heart of Northwestern University’s Evanston campus.

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Other Programs & Services

Youth Entrepreneur Program

The Florida State Minority Supplier Development Council (FSMSDC) has a commitment to making a difference in the community.

FSMSDC registered the phrase Doing Well While Doing Good®. Each year, the organization recognizes businesses that are impacting the overall community by supporting philanthropic initiatives. Also, for more than 20 years, the organization has had a commitment to the next generation with a focus on youth internships and STEM training for young people. Each year, more than 100 students participate in the organization’s youth entrepreneurship training as part of the Annual Business Expo. Students from seventh to 12th grades and college students participate in leadership training and hackathons, and interact with successful business owners. In addition, FSMSDC has participated in career days and career shadowing programs. The organization has an internship program in which college students from Miami Dade College and Florida Memorial University intern during the last year of their business program to learn the fundamentals of work.

The FSMSDC has provided more than three dozen scholarships to young people to further their college educations, and the staff mentors young adults. Also, the organization has had a nine-year partnership with the Little Haiti Optimist Club (LHOC). LHOC is a nonprofit organization established in 2010 by a group of business, community and civic leaders to provide programs to the youth of Little Haiti. The mission of the Little Haiti Optimist Club is to make a difference in the lives of youth by providing education, mentorship, athletics, arts and cultural programming. FSMSDC was the main partner in the Sun Life Rising Star Grant. With the grant, LHOC prepared 40 Miami Edison Sr. High School seniors for college through its Road Map to Success program. With the help of the program, 95% of the students applied to and were accepted to college and 75% of the students were awarded college scholarships.

In addition, FSMSDC supports LHOC’s Tech and Community Center, after-school program and summer camps. LHOC partnered with the FSMSDC for the STEM Genius® summer camp at Soar Park for 45 students ages 5-15 in grades kindergarten through eighth. The students participated in hands-on educational activities that taught them how to use a computer to create prosthetic limbs and program robots. Also, they took part in activities in engineering design that prepared them for building, as part of a team, a six-foot Ferris wheel, as well as simulated a rocket launch and flew drones. They also learned about careers in STEM. The Full S.T.E.A.M Ahead summer camp at Soar Park for 54 students ages 5-15 in grades kindergarten through eighth . The students enjoyed a summer filled with learning about science, technology, arts, engineering and mathematics. The campers took field trips and were introduced, in a fun and interactive environment, to coding, graphic arts, business/social entrepreneurship and much more. The students took part in activities in engineering design, such as building, as part of a team, a six-foot roller coaster and solar robots; they also created a sustainable future city. Campers participated in hands-on educational activities that taught them how to use a computer to create apps, coding and graphic arts. In addition, they planned, designed, maintained and sustained their own community garden. The community gardening project included a social and entrepreneurial component; the students were able to give some of the items planted to the community and to their families, resulting in reducing food budgets and encouraging healthier choices.

Lastly, each year the FSMSDC participates in LHOC’s back-to-school book bag and book giveaway, holiday toy drive and turkey giveaway.

Doing Well While Doing Good®

Many of the FSMSDC’s MBEs and corporate members are engaged in civic, philanthropic and volunteer initiatives that are making a difference in our community.

Some of our companies have established their own charitable organizations to assist their favorite causes or are doing acts of kindness and giving generously to assist the less fortunate. See how our MBE and corporate members are doing good.

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PPE Portal

The PPE Portal connects certified MBEs that supply PPE products with buyers (MBEs/corporate members) and others.

The online PPE platform will connect MBEs and corporate members throughout the state of Florida and beyond to make, sell and buy PPE products. 

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Business Resources Lab

Need a space for your next seminar or workshop. Impress your guests with an open and professional space.

The Business Resource Lab Miami offers workshops and seminars, a computer lab with broadband and WiFi Access. 60 person maximum. Reach out to Stephanie Toribio at 305-751-2907 or [email protected].

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    ADDRESS

    63739 street lorem ipsum City, Country

    PHONE

    +12 (0) 345 678 9

    EMAIL

    [email protected]

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