TCC Offers Free Business Incubator Program

Tallahassee Community College, in partnership with the Tallahassee Downtown Improvement Authority, is seeking start-up businesses to participate in its free business incubator program.

This program is part of the Retail Career Pathways Initiative at TCC, which helps prepare students for careers in retail and retail management. The goal of the business incubator program is to support the launch, growth, stabilization and long-term success of businesses in Leon and surrounding counties.

“Great downtowns have great retail. We believe that retail has a strong future in downtown Tallahassee,” said Jay Revell, executive director of the Tallahassee Downtown Improvement Authority. “Systems like this are what generate opportunities for new and exciting retail functions in our city.”

TCC is accepting applications for the program until Feb. 29. Six participants will receive space at the Saturday Downtown Marketplace for a period of three months to do a soft launch of their business. Mentors from the local business community will present developmental workshops to help participants throughout their business planning process.

At the end of the three-month period, each participant will present a capstone project and pitch to a review committee and potential investors. One participant will be chosen to continue launching his or her business for six months at the TCC Capitol Center free of charge. The winner will also receive a scholarship to participate in the Tallahassee/Leon County Entrepreneurial Excellence Program and a one-year paid membership to the Florida Retail Federation.

Applicants must have at least one professional certification from the National Retail Federation in either Customer Service and Sales, Advanced Customer Service and Sales, or Retail Management Operations. TCC offers training to receive these certifications, and many courses can be completed in one day.

Interested participants must complete a program application and submit at least one letter of recommendation to Jynelle Sneed at sneedj@tcc.fl.edu by the application deadline. The program application and more information about the incubator program can be found at www.tcccareersinretail.com.