Suncoast Community Capital Brings the Kauffman Foundation to Sarasota and Manatee Counties

BRADENTON -- Suncoast Community Capital has announced major investments from Wells Fargo and the Bradenton Central Community Redevelopment Agency (CCRA) in support of the implementation of its collaboration with the Kauffman Foundation’s Urban Entrepreneur Partnership (UEP) in Sarasota and Manatee Counties.

The UEP will deliver world-class business coaching and technical assistance to the area’s small and emerging businesses. The goal will be to help them grow to scale to create local jobs and provide economic development opportunities. For Kauffman, the UEP represents the “science of entrepreneurial success.” SCC calls the UEP the logical next step in the continuum of entrepreneurial services already available through its own organization and in the bi-county area.

The project’s seed money consists of $50,000 from Wells Fargo and $40,000 from the CCRA and it will create the first UEP program in the state, right here locally. The Kauffman UEP was introduced to the community on January 18, at a packed invitation-only luncheon held at the IMG Academies Golf & Country Club. Speakers included Wells Fargo Community Bank President Leah Flores and Kauffman UEP Board Chair Michael Levin.

“The UEP believes in the entrepreneurial spirit and its ability to unleash imagination, create opportunities, reinvent the market, rebuild communities and transform the world,” stated Mike Kennedy, SCC’s President and CEO. “SCC deeply shares that belief with the Kauffman UEP and looks forward to partnering with UEP and all of our regional stakeholders to support entrepreneurs and create jobs.”

Companies can learn more about the Kauffman UEP at their website.