Clearwater Business Spark
Clearwater Business SPARK is a nonprofit business support network founded in 2016 that coordinates ten public and private partner organizations to deliver coaching, training, makerspace access, financing, and incubation services to pre-venture, startup, and established small businesses in the greater Clearwater and Pinellas County, Florida area.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2016
- HeadquartersClearwater, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Clearwater Business Spark does
Clearwater Business SPARK is a nonprofit business support network launched in 2016 and headquartered at 600 Cleveland Street, Suite 100, Clearwater, Florida. The organization functions as a coordinating hub rather than a service delivery company in its own right, connecting entrepreneurs and small businesses in the greater Clearwater and Pinellas County area to a consortium of ten public and private partner organizations. These partners include AMPLIFY Clearwater (a founding partner), the Florida Small Business Development Center at Pinellas County Economic Development, Pinellas County SCORE, Prospera (bilingual Hispanic entrepreneur support), Tampa Bay Black Business Investment Corporation (a CDFI providing micro-loans from $500 to $100,000), St. Petersburg College (workforce training and Collaborative Labs), the Clearwater Public Library System (makerspaces, research databases), the City of Clearwater Economic Development and Housing Department (lead coordinator of the Executive Board), the Florida State Minority Supplier Development Council (MBE certification), and Bootstrap Business School (15-day startup bootcamp). The network serves pre-venture, startup (less than three years), and established small business segments, with additional targeted programs for Hispanic entrepreneurs, African American entrepreneurs, and minority-owned businesses.
The core products and services accessed through the network include one-on-one business coaching, the Studios@Main makerspace (3D printers, laser engravers, video production equipment), the Bootstrap Business School bootcamp (delivered via Zoom with United Way Suncoast-funded scholarships), St. Petersburg College's Collaborative Labs strategic planning sessions, meeting and co-working spaces, and business financing assistance covering traditional loans, non-traditional loans, venture capital, angel investors, and startup funds. There is no proprietary software product or platform technology; the network operates as a referral and coordination layer over its partners' existing programs. Select customer success stories include Eastshore Resort (Billy Day), Clearwater Brewing Company, and Crescent Womb.
Clearwater Business SPARK operates a community-led go-to-market model with no direct revenue generation. Services are free or low-cost to end users, with fees applied only to specific meeting space, memberships, workshops, and industry certifications delivered by appointment through partner organizations. The organization has no disclosed funding rounds, no parent company, no private equity or venture capital involvement, and does not publish financial statements. The network is publicly funded in part through the City of Clearwater's Economic Development and Housing Department and partner organizations, and markets its services through a website, LinkedIn, Facebook, email newsletter, partner referrals, and earned media in local outlets including 83 Degrees Media, Tampa Bay is Awesome, the Tampa Bay Times, and Fox 13 News.
Clearwater Business Spark firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Clearwater Business Spark
- Legal name
- Clearwater Business SPARK
- Website
- https://clearwaterbusinessspark.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2016
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Clearwater Business SPARK is a nonprofit business support network founded in 2016 that coordinates ten public and private partner organizations to deliver coaching, training, makerspace access, financing, and incubation services to pre-venture, startup, and established small businesses in the greater Clearwater and Pinellas County, Florida area.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Clearwater Business Spark industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Small Business Development Services
- akta.pro primary industry
- Internship-to-Apprenticeship & Early Talent Pipeline Programs (EDAMAKAL)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Business Planning, Pitching & Competitions (Pitch Decks, Demo Days) (EDAMAHAB)
Keywords
Where Clearwater Business Spark is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Clearwater
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Clearwater Business Spark business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others
Revenue model
- Network Coordination Services: Clearwater Business SPARK operates as a non-profit business support network. Services are delivered through partner organizations and may be free or low-cost to entrepreneurs. The organization coordinates resources rather than generating direct revenue.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Other | Free and low-cost services |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels6 records
Clearwater Business Spark product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Clearwater Business SPARK operates as a nonprofit business support network that connects entrepreneurs and small businesses with a consortium of public and private partner organizations. It delivers tailored business coaching, training programs, makerspace access, meeting space, financing referrals, and strategic-planning facilitation across all stages of business development in the greater Clearwater area.
Product overview
Clearwater Business SPARK is a business support network (not a single software product) consisting of multiple partner organizations offering a comprehensive mix of programs and services. The core offering is the Clearwater Business SPARK Network itself, which coordinates access to business coaching, makerspace facilities (Studios@Main), educational programs (Bootstrap Business School, CATCH Training), St. Petersburg College Collaborative Labs, meeting spaces, and financing assistance. These services are delivered through a consortium of public and private partners including AMPLIFY Clearwater, FSBDC, Pinellas County SCORE, Prospera, Tampa Bay BBIC, and the City of Clearwater Economic Development.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Clearwater Business SPARK Network
- Business Coaching Services
- Studios@Main Makerspace
- Bootstrap Business School
- CATCH Entrepreneurship Training Program
- St. Petersburg College Collaborative Labs
- Meeting and Training Spaces
- Business Financing Assistance
Companies that use Clearwater Business Spark
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Clearwater Business Spark technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Clearwater Business Spark partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- Bootstrap Business SchoolcoreBootstrap Business School is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that runs intensive business start-up bootcamps that take aspiring entrepreneurs from idea to launch in just 15 days. The program is ideal for someone who either has a business idea but doesn't know what the first steps are, or has just started a business but needs guidance to move forward. All students accepted into the program receive full scholarships and receive a full year of ongoing support.
- Florida State Minority Supplier Development CouncilcoreThe Florida State Minority Supplier Development Council (The Council) was founded in 1975 by the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce and the Greater Miami Progress Foundation for the purpose of fostering the development of minority-owned businesses throughout South Florida. The Mission is to link corporations and government agencies with Minority Business Enterprises (MBEs) to foster business development and expansion. Through the council members become certified MBEs, receive technical assistance, national/international market access, access to educational programming and matchmaking events.
- St. Petersburg CollegecoreSPC's Workforce Institute offers training, continuing education, industry certifications, licensures and career pathways that are affordable and accessible to goal-oriented individuals and businesses committed to accelerated professional growth. Industry experts teach the skills that entrepreneurs are looking for. SPC's Collaborative Labs designs and executes strategic-planning sessions and facilitates organizational problem solving using a unique approach that incorporates interactive technology, strength-based techniques and real-time documentation to develop an actionable plan.
- Pinellas County SCOREcoreSCORE is a 501(c)(3) nationwide nonprofit association dedicated to educating entrepreneurs and helping small businesses start, grow, and succeed. Pinellas County SCORE offers free personal and confidential mentoring, educational workshops and business tools. Business mentoring services are provided by both active and retired business executives and entrepreneurs who donate their time and expertise as mentors. Free workshops cover topics including writing a business plan, advertising and marketing strategies, negotiating leases, applying for patents and registering trademarks.
- ProsperacoreProspera is the leading Hispanic economic development, nonprofit organization that specializes in providing bilingual assistance to Hispanic entrepreneurs trying to establish or expand their businesses. For 30 years Prospera has provided business seminars, individual consulting sessions, access to business grants and loan facilitation process. These resources help support Hispanic entrepreneurs at no cost. As a partner of Clearwater Business Spark, the team of business development consultants is dedicated to guide and support the Hispanic entrepreneurs in building, developing and growing their business.
- AMPLIFY ClearwatercoreAMPLIFY Clearwater is a founding partner of Clearwater Business SPARK and supports the network with strategies and initiatives to encourage innovation among existing businesses, and to promote entrepreneurship and new business development both locally and throughout the region. Some of AMPLIFY Clearwater's priorities for the network include recruitment of employers and jobs to Clearwater, working with educators to support curriculum for job training, and elevating the profile of Clearwater regionally and beyond. In addition, AMPLIFY Clearwater facilitates community involvement through mentorship, educational programs and seminars, collaborative opportunities and committee engagement.
- Florida Small Business Development Center at Pinellas County Economic Development (FSBDC @ PCED)coreThe Florida Small Business Development Center at Pinellas County Economic Development works to connect local entrepreneurs to business resources and strategic solutions for expansion and growth. Through professional workshops and business counseling sessions as well as local, regional and statewide partnerships, FSBDC @ PCED fosters a pro-business climate in Pinellas County, Florida. The team provides dedicated, certified consultants with the expertise to guide and support the exploration of innovative ideas for emerging entrepreneurs and small businesses, helping to accelerate business growth.
- City of Clearwater Economic Development & Housing DepartmentcoreThe City of Clearwater's Economic Development and Housing Department serves as lead coordinator of the network's Executive Board and Advisory Committee, and actively seeks additional partners to add to the strong support system, as well as securing sponsorships. Economic Development and Housing provides the network access to incentive and grant opportunities, office/retail and industrial site selection assistance, business licensing and permitting and regulatory assistance.
- Clearwater Public Library SystemcoreThe Clearwater Public Library System is an active partner providing valuable, no-cost access to information, resources and educational opportunities to support business endeavors. Clearwater Main Library is the first library in Pinellas County to offer a comprehensive array of maker studios where people can meet, socialize and share innovative ideas, explore technologies, and learn new skills. The Library system also provides entrepreneurial support, expert reference services, business training and seminars, computer and Wi-Fi access, study rooms and meeting spaces.
Scale indicators2 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Clearwater Business Spark competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Florida SBDC Network: Statewide network of Small Business Development Centers providing consulting and training to Florida entrepreneurs. The Pinellas County host (FSBDC @ PCED) is itself a SPARK partner, and the broader network competes for the same founder-counseling and growth-advisory engagements.
- SCORE: National 501(c)(3) nonprofit that provides free mentoring, workshops, and resources to small businesses — the exact function Pinellas County SCORE performs inside Clearwater Business SPARK. Pinellas County SCORE is one of SPARK's nine core partners, making SCORE the closest direct functional peer.
- Prospera: Hispanic economic development nonprofit providing bilingual business consulting, seminars, and grant/loan facilitation. Prospera is a SPARK partner delivering the Hispanic-entrepreneur leg of the network, and operates an essentially identical model externally to Florida.
- Tampa Bay BBIC: U.S. Treasury-certified CDFI providing capital ($500–$100K) and capacity-building to African American and other underserved entrepreneurs. Functions as a SPARK partner and on its own offers a comparable mix of financing plus the CATCH entrepreneurship training program (16-week course).
Emerging players
- Hello Alice: Technology-enabled platform connecting small businesses with grants, capital, mentors, and networks at national scale. Comparable as a substitute aggregator of business support resources that competes for the same entrepreneur attention that SPARK's partner network currently captures.
- Bunker Labs: National nonprofit supporting veteran and military-spouse entrepreneurs with education, access, and community. Comparable because Bunker Labs organizes the same kind of cohort-based, community-led business support SPARK provides, but for a different founder segment.
Broad incumbents
- ICIC (Initiative for a Competitive Inner City): Nonprofit focused on economic development in underserved urban areas through research, advisory, and small-business support programs. Compares as a broader incumbent in the community economic-development space SPARK operates in, with similar place-based and minority-business support functions.
- Main Street America: National community-revitalization and small-business development program with local coordinating programs across the U.S. Operates a similar place-based, partner-network model aimed at small-business retention and entrepreneurship, but at city/district scale across many geographies.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Clearwater Business Spark social profiles
Digital presenceClearwater Business Spark financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Clearwater Business Spark leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Clearwater Business Spark funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Clearwater Business Spark M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Clearwater Business Spark
What does Clearwater Business Spark do?
Clearwater Business SPARK operates as a nonprofit business support network that connects entrepreneurs and small businesses with a consortium of public and private partner organizations. It delivers tailored business coaching, training programs, makerspace access, meeting space, financing referrals, and strategic-planning facilitation across all stages of business development in the greater Clearwater area.
Is Clearwater Business Spark a public or private company?
Clearwater Business Spark is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Clearwater Business Spark founded?
Clearwater Business Spark was founded in 2016. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Clearwater Business Spark based?
Clearwater Business Spark is headquartered in Clearwater, United States, in the North America region.
How does Clearwater Business Spark make money?
One revenue line is on record: network Coordination Services.
Who are Clearwater Business Spark's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Florida SBDC Network, SCORE, Prospera and Tampa Bay BBIC. Emerging players are Hello Alice and Bunker Labs. Broad incumbents are ICIC (Initiative for a Competitive Inner City) and Main Street America.
Does Clearwater Business Spark have an API?
No public API is recorded for Clearwater Business Spark.
What industry is Clearwater Business Spark in?
Clearwater Business Spark's product category is Small Business Development Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAMAKAL, Internship-to-Apprenticeship & Early Talent Pipeline Programs, with a secondary code of EDAMAHAB, Business Planning, Pitching & Competitions (Pitch Decks, Demo Days).