• General Election: November 3, 2026
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FRANK J. RUSSO

FOR GOVERNOR

RACHEL RODRIGUEZ

FOR LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR
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FLORIDA WOMEN'S ENTREPRENEUR INITIATIVE

Learn. Launch. Grow.

Florida is full of women with good ideas, talent and the willingness to work. But too often, whether someone can turn that idea into a business depends on whether they already have access to capital, professional guidance or the right connections. Frank believes Florida can do better. His proposed $100 million Florida Women’s Entrepreneur Initiative would help qualified women learn how to build a business, develop a real plan, access professional support, secure startup capital and grow companies that create Florida jobs. Frank’s principle is simple: If you’re prepared to learn, prepared to work and prepared to build, Florida should be prepared to give you a fair shot.

Give People the Tools - Not Blank Checks

Frank doesn't believe the answer is simply handing out government money. Before receiving financial support, entrepreneurs should demonstrate that they're prepared to build something that can work. That's why the initiative starts with education, planning and professional support - and connects financial assistance to readiness and results. As Frank puts it: “This isn't about handing out blank checks.” It's about helping people develop the knowledge, plan and support they need to launch responsibly and grow.

Learn. Launch. Grow.

Frank's initiative would take entrepreneurs through a practical path from idea to business.

Learn

Participants would receive practical training in: Budgeting and cash flow | Pricing | Taxes Licensing and insurance | Marketing | Procurement | Responsible AI tools | The fundamentals of running a business

Build a Real Plan

Having a good idea isn't the same as having a viable business. Participants would be required to develop a lender-ready business plan and meet clear readiness standards before becoming eligible for startup assistance.

Get Professional Support

Starting a business can mean navigating everything from legal requirements and accounting to licenses, permits and marketing. Frank's initiative would connect entrepreneurs with qualified legal, accounting, licensing, permitting, marketing, mentoring and business-development support.

Launch

Qualified entrepreneurs who successfully complete the program and meet its readiness requirements could receive up to $25,000 in performance-based startup assistance, subject to legislative appropriation, eligibility requirements and safeguards.

Grow

Frank doesn't want the program to stop when someone opens the doors. Businesses demonstrating measurable success could compete for additional growth support - with Florida job creation among the leading factors used to determine that support.

Help Entrepreneurs Find Capital - Don't Replace the Private Sector

Frank believes government should help open doors, not try to become the bank. The initiative would help entrepreneurs become better prepared to pursue existing financing through SBA-backed programs, Florida's SSBCI program, banks, CDFIs and other private sources of capital. Lenders would continue making their own lending decisions. The goal is to help more women get to the point where they're ready to walk into a bank, meet with an investor or pursue financing with a real business behind them.

Invest in People - Demand Results

If taxpayers are investing $100 million, Frank believes taxpayers have every right to ask: Did it work? His proposal would publicly track: Businesses launched, Business survival, Florida jobs created and retained, Revenue growth, Private capital attracted, and Taxpayer cost associated with successful businesses and job creation Frank doesn't believe success should be measured by how much government spends. It should be measured by what that spending actually produces. Did the business survive? Did it grow? Did it create Florida jobs?

If a program works, build on it. If it doesn't, fix it - or stop spending taxpayer money on it.

Use What Florida Already Has

Frank doesn't want to spend $100 million creating another government bureaucracy. Florida already has organizations helping entrepreneurs with training, mentoring and access to capital. Frank wants to use what works, strengthen it and fill the gaps rather than building another layer of government. The initiative would work with existing resources such as the Florida Small Business Development Center Network, Florida's SSBCI program and SBA Women's Business Centers, with the goal of directing as much funding as possible toward entrepreneurs and services that directly help them build businesses. Florida doesn't need more bureaucracy. It needs government that knows how to use what already works, fill the gaps and get out of the way when Floridians are ready to build.

Give More Floridians a Fair Shot

Frank wants Florida to be a state where entrepreneurship isn't limited to people who already have money, investors or the right connections. This isn't about guaranteeing that every business succeeds. It's about giving more people the tools, training and opportunity to try. When a Florida entrepreneur succeeds, she can create jobs, strengthen her family, support her community and help build Florida's future.

The Test Is Simple

Frank believes the program should have to prove itself. Did businesses launch? Did they survive and grow? Did they attract private investment? Did they create Florida jobs? And did taxpayers get measurable results for their investment? If the answer is yes, build on what's working. If the answer is no, fix it. Learn. Launch. Grow. Give Floridians a fair shot to build.
Back to Frank's Innovation Plans