Resources

The Launch Pad Links
Marketing
Operations
Business Plans
Demographics
Strategy
Resources for Entrepreneurs in South Florida
Funding
Legal

The Launch Pad Links

Academic and Business Resources
Useful resource for searching for business information. Numerous links that can help you with research
http://www.academicinfo.net/business

Step by Step Business Plan
Cool guide for creating a business plan and it walks you through putting in the content.
http://web.sba.gov/busplantemplate/BizPlanStart.cfm

Survey Design
Survey Design is a survey and research company that helps users make the best possible survey to get the information that the researcher wants.
http://www.surveysystem.com/sdesign.htm

Choosing corporate structures
This is a very helpful guide for the entrepreneur to choose what kind of corporate structure would be ideal for your particular situation.
http://www.sba.gov/smallbusinessplanner/start/chooseastructure/START_FOR...

Protecting Your Ideas
This provides a great guide to protecting your Intellectual Property and making sure no one steals your ideas.
http://www.sba.gov/smallbusinessplanner/start/protectyourideas/index.html

Sample Business Plans
This site offers great sample business plans to look at and base your business plan off of. This is a great first place to look at.
http://www.bplans.com/sample_business_plans.cfm

Business Plan Outline and Template
This site offers great templates and outlines for your prospective business plan. For complete samples look at the link above.
http://articles.bplans.com/writing-a-business-plan/A-Standard-Business-P...

Generating Name Ideas
This site is very interesting in that it helps you generate possible names to use as your next business / product name.
www.Nameboy.com

Getting web development Proposals
This is a great resource to get an initial quote on how much your website would cost.
www.designquote.net

Creating an RFP for a development Proposal
In order to get a developer to create a proposal for your site you need to create what is called an RFP, or request for proposal. This document outlines your sites functionality so that your developer can quote you an acurate price and timeline. You need to create this document BEFORE talking with potential developers.
http://www.qando.net/wp-content/uploads/rfp_web_sample.pdf

oDesk
An online staffing marketplace and management platform that provides a convenient way to hire, manage, and pay individuals for web development, software development, writing, QA, graphic design, systems admin, and more.
www.odesk.com

Researching Traffic statistics on Websites
This website tracks other web domains and the amount of users/traffic they generate.
www.alexa.com

Equity Calculation Simulator
This website has a great simulator that calculates the equity you would have after you input all the other possible variables.
http://www.ownyourventure.com/equitySim.html

Graphic Design Crowd Sourcing
This site allows you to submit a design proposal through a contest to obtain logos, web designs, etc. for a fraction of the cost. You set the prize winnings and a termination date while clients submit entries.
http://www.crowdspring.com/

Marketing

Simply Interactive
Internet service that will market your company through the internet by building your company an innovative web presence, online user-based contest, flash game, or banner ad campaign.
http://www.simplyinteractive.net/email/?gclid=CO7mjqP_nJUCFReenAodUB7bgg

Education Index
A website that has multiple links of information on different types of advertising and marketing with links to resources to help maximize their effectiveness.
http://www.educationindex.com/market/

Small Business Marketing Resources
Links to online marketing, advertising and trends, as well as resources for start-ups and business advice with articles relating to all of these topics.
http://www.inc.com/resources/marketing/recommended.html

Marketing Strategy
Teaches how to create a marketing plan, how to begin marketing research, create a marketing strategy, etc. It also offers links to marketing tools and online courses and tutorials.
http://marketing.about.com/

Personal Image Consulting
Free tips and advice from leading experts in how to brand yourself. This site also allows you to upload your resume and customize a profile to suit your personal character when presenting it to an employer.
http://brand-yourself.com

Online Student Business Community (Affliates: Harvard, Yale, U of Chicago, UPenn)
Connects you with partners and service providers on a world-class level. Grow connections with top startup advisors and investors. The site is by-invitation and by-application only in order to ensure a high standard of membership. Student membership is free.
http://www.studentbusinesses.com/

Publicity and Marketing resources for getting media attention
Marketing communications directories- marketing resources in over 70 categories to help get your product/service recognized by the public.
http://www.authorhouse.com/AuthorResources/BookMarketing.aspx

Operations

Resources for Operation
Provides links to operations management as well as links to web resources dealing with decision and risk analysis.
http://www2.lib.udel.edu/subj/opre/internet.htm

A Basic Guide to Exporting
"A Basic Guide to Exporting" is a publication now available online that has been continuously updated for over 70 years. It is put together and organized by the United States government.
http://www.export.gov/

Guide on Trade and Export Financing
This document, put together by the United States government, will take you step by step on trade and export financing.
http://trade.gov/media/publications/pdf/tfg2008.pdf

2009 Export Fact Sheet
This pdf will give an overview of the past year's exporting as well as highlight significant facts, changes and happenings.
http://www.trade.gov/press/press_releases/2009/export-factsheet_031309.pdf

2009 Report: Economic Value of the Advertising-Supported Internet Ecosystem
This report outlines the strong emphases of the Internet's value-added benefits and its key role in the American economy.
http://www.iab.net/economicvalue

Manufacturing and Services
The Manufacturing and Services (MAS) unit of the International Trade Administration (ITA) is dedicated to enhancing the global competitiveness of U.S. industry, expanding its market access, and increasing its exports. This page has a database of companies and statistics for manufacturing and services organized by industry.
http://www.trade.gov/mas/index.asp

Find nonprofits
Find nonprofit organizations in a database of 1.8 million IRS-recognized organizations to find a charity to support, benchmark your own nonprofit's performance, research the sector, and more.
http://www.guidestar.org/

Setting up small Business Operations
What you will actually need to step up operations of your business as well as a checklist of primary steps that every business needs to include.
http://www.smallbusinessnotes.com/starting/busoper.html

Business operations vendors/Operations management/Business.com
Links to business operations consultants and providers of operations management software. Solutions for managing the operations of a company.
http://www.business.com/directory/management/operations_management/

Operating a business
Links to resources to help the small business owner provided by the IRS.
http://www.irs.gov/businesses/small/article/0,,id=99930,00.html

Business Plans

Inc. Magazine Business Plan Guide: This website details the step-by-step guidelines to writing a business plan.
http://www.inc.com/articles/2000/04/18470.html

Business plan software & guide: Basic Information
Basic info for detailed free business plan guide with template & sample for business plan.
http://www.planware.org/gbasic.htm

Sample Plans from Bplans.com: This site offers advice on how to write a business plan.
http://www.bplans.com/

Bureau of Labor Statistics: This website contains Bureau of Labor statistics and information from the past 125 years.
http://stats.bls.gov/

Writing a Business Plan
Advice on how to write a business plan from getting started to actually pitching the plan.
http://articles.bplans.com/index.php/business-articles/category/writing-...

European Patent Office: The European Patent Office (EPO) provides a uniform application procedure for individual inventors and companies seeking patent protection in up to 38 European countries. It is the executive arm of the European Patent Organization and is supervised by the Administrative Council.
http://www.epo.org/index.html

WSJ Business Plan Guide: This site offers advice on how to write a business plan.
http://www.bplans.com/

USPTO United States Patent and Trademark Office: an agency of the United States Department of Commerce.
http://www.uspto.gov/

Census Bureau: Gives quality data about the nation's people and economy: Population & Housing Census, Economic Census, American Community Survey, Many Other Surveys, Economic Indicators
Small Business Administration.
http://www.census.gov/

Online workshop to help start and improve your business plans, using your business plan efficiently and help on finding your niche.
http://www.sba.gov/smallbusinessplanner/plan/writeabusinessplan/index.html

Franchising Opportunities: What is a franchise opportunity and how do you investigate the myriad choices available? And once you choose the one you want, where do find the money to pay for it? Our easy-to-follow guide offers all the information you need to find and buy a franchise.
http://www.entrepreneur.com/franzone/guide

Market Segmentation by Zip Code: MyBestSegments features details about all of Claritas' market segmentation systems, including PRIZM, P$YCLE and ConneXions.
http://www.claritas.com/MyBestSegments/Default.jsp

SBA Business Plan Guide: The Small Business Planner includes information and resources that will help you at any stage of the business lifecycle.
http://www.sba.gov/smallbusinessplanner/index.html

Business Plan Center with a library of Real Business plans
Business planning, marketing planning and marketing strategy information, advice, and free software and directories for investors and consultants.
http://www.businessplans.org/

Business Owners Toolkit: This site offers more than 5,000 pages of free cost-cutting tips, step-by-step checklists, real-life case studies, startup advice, and business templates to small business owners and entrepreneurs. The site also offers a monthly newsletter, up-to-date news topics, and Ask Alice!, a column that closely follows industry trends and provides trusted advice to inquiring site visitors.
http://www.toolkit.com/

Business Plan Samples, Writing a business plan
Rule book for Business plans for startups from Entrepreneur.com
www.entrepreneur.com/businessplan/

Demographics

Demographics by the zip
Find demographics for specific zip codes and compare to other areas as well.
http://zipskinny.com/

DemoReports
Current demographics 2008-2013, reports that can be ordered online
http://www.demoreports.com/?gclid=CM7DxavcnZUCFRkigQodXjg7kg

Demographics Page
Several programs at the Bureau of labor Statistics make significant amounts of data available for specific demographic categories.
http://www.bls.gov/bls/demographics.htm

SSBR: Demography
Provides information collected from the federal government relating social statistics
http://www.whitehouse.gov/fsbr/demography.html

Stats about all US cities - real estate, relocation information, etc
Demographics of cities in the US ranging from cost of living to radio and TV stations
http://www.city-data.com/

Strategy

Bplans
A good, brief overview of the steps necessary to begin a startup.
http://articles.bplans.com/index.php/business-articles/starting-a-busine...

Business Strategy
A full circle website detailing the many aspects of a company from startup to potential harvesting.
http://www.strategy-business.com

Business Strategy guide
A very strong site providing business strategy advice specifically tailored to beating the competition. Complete with graphs and other visuals to facilitate domination.
http://www.1000ventures.com/business_guide/business_strategy.html

BuyUsa
A list of research resources for businesses compiled by the United States government
http://www.buyusa.gov/florida/8.html

Forbes Best of the Web
A very interesting list of the best sites on the web in Forbes' eyes. You may be surprised at what you find.
http://www.forbes.com/bow

Useful business templates
A site that provides a template for developing a strategic plan, an essential step in the early startup process.
http://www.planware.org/strategicplan.htm

Resources for Entrepreneurs in South Florida

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Womens Business Development Center: The Women's Business Development Center provides WBENC (Women's Business Enterprise National Council) Certification to women-owned businesses in order to make available corporate procurement opportunities designated for Women Business Enterprises.
http://www.womensbusiness.info/

Miami Small Business Development: The Miami-Dade County Department of Small Business Development (SBD) works to increase the participation of small businesses on County contracts. The department coordinates and implements various small business programs to provide business opportunities and technical assistance to aid these firms in their growth and contribution to South Florida’s economy.
http://www.miamidade.gov/sba/home.asp

Local (Miami) Startup Tips
A good stop for someone interested in starting a business in Miami. Gives both legal and practical advice specific to the city of Miami.
http://miami.about.com/cs/business/a/aa041302a.html

Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce: This site is committed to the service of their members through advocacy, regional and international business development, leadership, marketing, and a vast array of member services and programs.
http://www.greatermiami.com/

Florida’s Online business center
Florida’s online business center. Anyone looking to register in Florida must first come to this site. Also has lots of helpful information.
http://www.sunbiz.org

Miami/Dade Business Site: This site offers resources, guides and links to business forms and operations that can be done online
Using Resources on SBA.gov.
http://miamidade.gov/

Florida SBDC Network: The Florida Small Business Development Center Network (FSBDCN) is a statewide economic development partnership between higher education and other stakeholder organizations dedicated to providing entrepreneurs and established businesses with the assistance needed to start, grow and succeed, contributing to the Florida economy.
http://floridasbdc.org/

Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce: The objective of this site is to foster and enhance the economic interests and quality of life of the Coral Gables community. The Chamber offers an array of involvement opportunities: independent business development, travel & tourism, the 20/30 group, advocacy or international affairs, a business leader can find a niche at the Chamber.
http://www.coralgableschamber.org/

Small business plan resources
http://www.sba.gov/smallbusinessplanner/plan/writeabusinessplan/index.html

FBIA: This site shares information and develops programs that support the successful growth and operation of business incubators throughout Florida
http://www.fbiaonline.org/

BioFlorida: BioFlorida is a member-based organization working to support the growth of biotechnology, pharmaceuticals and medical technologies. To establish Florida as a worldwide leader in the biosciences, BioFlorida's leadership and programs positively influence the growth of the industry, including initiatives related to capital formation, public policy, workforce development, education and commercialization of research.
http://www.bioflorida.com/

Starting a Business in Florida: This site is the official portal of the State of Florida and offers information about starting up a business in Florida.
http://www.myflorida.com/taxonomy/business/starting%20a%20business%20in%...

Score Miami Business Plan Consulting.
Score Miami offers free business advice as well as free online workshops to help you start up your own business.
http://www.scoremiami.org/home.html
Working Capitol Florida

This website is a great alternative resource for people unafilliated with the University of Miami who wish to take advantage of government services and grants to help start a new venture.
http://www.workingcapitolflorida.org

Link to South Florida Regional Planning Council with information about upcoming meetings, current and upcoming projects, etc.
http://sfrpc.com/

Miami Dade's Community and Economic Development with information about current development projects to ensure the long-term viability of local business community.
http://www.miamidade.gov/CED/

SE Florida Better Business Bureau: This site is an ethical marketplace where buyers and sellers can trust each other via creating a community of trustworthy businesses, setting standards for marketplace trust, encouraging and supporting best practices, celebrating marketplace role models, and denouncing substandard marketplace behavior.
http://www.seflorida.bbb.org/Home.aspx

Funding

Business Plan Competition
Entrepreneur Magazine hosts its own competition with seed money and free publicity.
http://www.thecampusbuzz.com/2009/04/entrepreneur-magazines-college-entr...

On startups
A short article that should appeal to nascent entrepreneurs as it details how to get funding without having to give away any equity for the company.
http://onstartups.com/home/tabid/3339/bid/1289/4-Quick-Tips-on-Raising-S...

Startup Funding
Long but very comprehensive article detailing nearly all opportunities for startup funding
http://www.paulgraham.com/startupfunding.html

Government Funding
A site that introduces the concept of government funding. Gives a general overview as well as links to government pages.
http://www.proposalwriter.com/govtgrants.html

Angel Investors
Article detailing what angel investors are and what it takes to receive funding from them. .
http://www.smallbusinessnotes.com/financing/angelinvestors.html

NCIIA Grant
Grant for students who need early stage funding for engineering, innovation and inventions. Grants are typically for students who are already using UM resources to create their inventions.
http://www.nciia.org/grants

Echoing Green Fellowship Program
To accelerate social change, Echoing Green invests in and supports outstanding emerging social entrepreneurs to launch new organizations that deliver bold, high-impact solutions. Through a two-year fellowship program, Echoing Green helps our network of visionaries work to solve deeply rooted social, environmental, economic, and political inequities to ensure equal access and to help all individuals reach their potential.
www.echoinggreen.org

Fullbright Scholar Program Grant
The Fullbright program, the U.S. government's flagship program in international educational exchange, was proposed to the U.S. Congress in 1945 by Senator J. William Fullbright of Arkansas. In the aftermath of WW II, Senator Fullbright viewed the proposed program as a much-needed vehicle for promoting "mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries of the world." Signed into law by President Truman in 1946, the Fullbright program awards grants for a variety of educational activities, advanced research, graduate study, and teaching in elementary and secondary schools. Since the program's inception, approximately 279,500 participants -chosen for their academic merit and leadership potential- have received the opportunity to exchange ideas and help find solutions to shared issues.
www.iie.org/fullbright

Legal

Checklist
A 20 step checklist for starting a company. Allows user to click on links in each step that further explains or helps the user complete the step.
http://www.incorporate.com/completing_startup_tasks.html

The Global Legal Information Network (GLIN)
An expansive database of official texts of laws, regulations, judicial decisions, and other complementary legal sources contributed by governmental agencies and international organizations.
http://www.glin.gov/search.action

Protect Your Intellectual Property
Stop trade in fakes! This 7 page guide created by the United States government will help you take the necessary steps to protect your intellectual property domestically and internationally.
http://trade.gov/media/publications/pdf/stop2005.pdf

Patent Information and examples
This website offers great information on patent information and information on what to do if legal trouble arises.
http://iusmentis.com/patents/claims/

Patent Search:
http://www.freepatentsonline.com
http://www.sumobrain.com

Attorney
Article detailing whether or not the entrepreneur should seek the council of an attorney upon startup.
http://smallbusiness.findlaw.com/starting-business/starting-business-hel...

Attorney Question and Answers
A question and answer service where a user can get answers from an attorney.
http://www.lawguru.com