MAKE THINGS
HAPPEN
let us help you take action on your business idea, so together we can transform our community, one social business at a time
Operation Startup is a partnership between Hillsborough Community College and Hillsborough County. Through a robust offering of formal (college credit) and informal (non-credit) entrepreneurship education, workshops, mentoring, advising, co-working, and funding programs, we serve early stage everyday entrepreneurs. We specialize in educating *Veteran and social ventures. We are an idea and innovation lab, and collaborative work space. We help you take action on your ideas, so that together we can transform our community.
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*Veterans, active duty, Reserve/Guard, spouses, and civilian business partner
Learn more about the high impact services available to our members. College credit & non-credit structured programs, effectuation accelerator, business mentors and advisors, and much more.
support us
As we continue to grow by serving more clients and developing innovative programs and services, we need additional financial and volunteer support. Learn more about the various ways you can get involved with Operation Startup.
Community Partners
None of what we do is possible without the incredible support of our collaborating partners.
Everyday Entrepreneur Venture Fund
SMALL BUSINESS DATA
64% of businesses start with less than $10,000
More than 50% of workers are employed by small businesses
70% of U.S. entrepreneurs start their businesses at home
89% of businesses have less than 20 employees
The average age of a founder launching an entrepreneurial startup is 42 years old
Veterans are 45% more likely to be self-employed than non-Veterans
Sources: Small Business Administration, Kauffman Foundation, U.S. Census Bureau
OPERATION STARTUP DATA
Over 45 businesses launched by HCC students, Vetrepreneurs, and Social Entrepreneurs
$250,000 in seed capital secured **, and $57,000 of capital invested in Operation Startup clients
More than 300 workshops and events serving over 3,000 participants
100 plus community partners, business mentors, advisors, and subject matter experts
Recognized as a national leader in community college entrepreneurship education. Acknowledged by the Florida College System Chancellor as an example of innovative excellance
Over 2,700 Veterans , social entrepreneurs, college students, and community members served
** Must complete one of our college credit entrepreneurship certificates or degrees to qualify for the Everyday Entrepreneur $250,000 seed fund.