MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING CLEARWATER BUSINESS SPARKMEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING
Clearwater Business SPARK!
THIS MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING (MOU) IS
INTENDED SOLELY AS AN EXPRESSION OF THE
GENERAL INTENTIONS OF THE PARTIES. THE PARTIES
INTEND THAT NONE OF THE PARTIES SHALL HAVE
ANY CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS TO THE OTHERS
WITH RESPECT TO THE MATTERS REFERRED TO
HEREIN.
Parties, herein referred to together as "Partners" or "Consortium ", or individually as
"Partner" or "Member ":
(a) City of Clearwater — Economic Development & Housing Department
(b) City of Clearwater Library System
(c) City of Clearwater Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA)
(d) Clearwater Regional Chamber of Commerce
(e) Technical Arts Facility for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (TAFFIE)
(f) Florida Small Business Development Center (FSBDC) of Pinellas County
Economic Development
WHEREAS, Goal 4 of the City of Clearwater Economic Development Strategic Plan,
adopted in November 2011, supports and encourages an entrepreneurship and
innovation ecosystem and collaboration with regional partners to market Clearwater to
target industries; and
WHEREAS, the Urban Land Institute Advisory Services Panel Report issued in
September 2014 recommended 1) more active uses of the Clearwater Main Library, and
2) support to new entrepreneurial small businesses by investing in a technology
innovation center or business incubator; and
WHEREAS, the Partners have joined together to provide a range of programs, services
and facilities to support entrepreneurship, innovation and small business development
within the City of Clearwater; and
WHEREAS, "Clearwater Business SPARK!" is the name given to this consortium as a
means to link together Partners for purposes of marketing and promotion of each
Partner's programs, services, and facilities; and
NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants set forth herein, and
other good and valuable consideration, the receipt of which are hereby acknowledged,
the Parties agree as follows:
Section 1. Spirit and Intent
(a) There is strong interest in the greater Clearwater community for new, small
business and entrepreneurial development programs. The Partners recognize
the strength and areas of expertise each Partner provides toward achieving the
shared goal of business vitality in Clearwater.
(b) There is a desire to work collaboratively and continuously to provide
entrepreneurs, innovators, creators and small business owners with a wide
variety of programs, services, education, networking opportunities, and flexible
workplaces and spaces. (by way of example, and not limitation, attached hereto
and incorporated herein as EXHIBIT "A ")
(c) Comprehensive, integrated, and coordinated approaches to the delivery of
services to targeted clients are supported by policy, plan, and third party
consultants' studies of the City of Clearwater and the mission and vision of
Partner organizations.
Section 2. Roles and Responsibilities
(a) The Partners will work together to enhance and strengthen entrepreneurship and
to support needs of small businesses in Clearwater. The Partners will collectively
and individually:
i. Provide networking opportunities throughout the greater Clearwater area
to build a strong network of experts and mentors to engage and support
business development and incubation throughout the region.
ii. Host and /or participate in events and meet -ups in public spaces to
encourage casual dialogue and to promote the culture of innovation and
entrepreneurship.
iii. Work together to develop a comprehensive mix of services and facility
offerings to support a broad range of pre- venture, startup and
small /medium size enterprises (SMEs) targeting technology innovation
and creative enterprises.
iv. Promote the availability of programs and services provided by the
Partners under the single branded name of "Clearwater Business
SPARK!" while retaining the individual and unique identity of each
Partner's facilities, programs, and organizational identity.
v. Strive to adopt and adapt programs and services to meet the changing
needs of those seeking services.
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vi. Jointly establish protocols, common intake processes, performance goals
and measures, and make appropriate referrals to program Partners,
facilities, or services.
vii. Provide appropriate training of staff who may from time to time engage
individuals who seek or need services provided by one or more of the
Partners.
viii. Actively and continuously seek additional Partners to join Clearwater
Business SPARK! as described in Section 6(c).
Section 3. Coordination
(a) At the onset, City of Clearwater will coordinate and facilitate committee meetings.
i. Executive Committee — Comprised of (1) representative appointed by
each Partner. Monthly meetings (subject to change as the system
matures) to be held at a mutually convenient location to review the
ecosystem's operational performance and client services performance as
determined by the performance metrics established.
ii. At a time when Partners deem it necessary, the Executive Committee may
form a Services & Facilities Advisory Committee. Comprised of (1)
representative appointed by each Partner to evaluate current and future
program and facilities offerings. Meeting schedule, frequency and location
to be determined.
Section 4. Marketing & Client Recruitment
(a) To provide multiple, yet seamless, points of entry into the system, the Partners
will actively promote a single brand identity and include this brand and /or logo in
collateral materials, in a prominent location on Partner website and other
communications as appropriate.
(b) City of Clearwater Economic Development & Housing Department will market the
program and be program spokesperson.
Section 5. Programmatic Flexibility
(a) The Partners will provide a commitment to continual evaluation of programs and
services within the system to ensure client needs are met in a changing
environment.
(b) Once gaps in services are identified, the Partners will seek funding which may
include grants, sponsorships, or fees from appropriate sources including, but not
limited to, federal, state and local agencies, community stakeholders, and
attendees.
Section 6. Partners & Facilities
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(a) Partners participating in Clearwater Business SPARK! include:
i. Technical Arts Facility for Entrepreneurship and Innovation
ii. Clearwater Main Library
iii. Clearwater Regional Chamber of Commerce
iv. Florida Small Business Development Center at Pinellas County at Pinellas
County Economic DevelopmentCity of Clearwater Economic Development
and Housing Department, and
v. City of Clearwater Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA).
(b) Current facilities where programs and services are provided include:
i. TAFFIE
ii. Clearwater Main Library
iii. Clearwater Regional Chamber of Commerce
iv. FSBDC at the EpiCenter
(c) Additional Partners and Facilities may from time to time be added to Clearwater
Business SPARK! by written, executed addendum to this MOU.
Section 7. Sustainability
(a) The Partners will convene annually to establish a work program, identify
resources necessary to sustain Clearwater Business SPARK! and to prepare a
budget including in -kind and financial resources necessary to support marketing,
programs, and activities of Clearwater Business SPARK!
(b) The Partners will work together to achieve sustainability within three years of the
date of this MOU through fee -based and free programming supported by
sponsorships, in -kind services and grants which may be pursued by a Partner,
certain Partners, or jointly by all Partners in Clearwater Business SPARK!
(c) During the initial three (3) year period, it is anticipated that the City of Clearwater
and the CRA will be the lead agencies providing program support and
management as described in Section 4(b) of this MOU.
(d) The City may consider financial support for marketing, services, programs and
facilities that are consistent with the Spirit and Intent (Section 1) of the MOU and
the work program established pursuant to Section 7(a).
(e) It is acknowledged that the City's financial participation will be considered as a
part of the annual budget process and that the request will be submitted annually
according to the budget schedule, and is subject to City Council approval.
(f) The other Partners may consider support of Clearwater Business SPARK! with
the following:
i. In -kind services and support including, but not limited to, facilities,
programs, services and marketing such as 1) meeting and conference
space, 2) meeting and event coordination, 3) services such as coaching,
mentoring, and counseling, 4) access to speakers, trainers, and subject-
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matter experts, 5) promotion and marketing of the consortium through
presentations, press releases, newsletters, social media and other forms
of communication.
Section 8. The Partners recognize the following as definitions of commonly used terms:
(a) Business Incubator
i. An organization designed to accelerate the growth and success of
entrepreneurial companies through an array of business support
resources and services that could include physical space, capital,
coaching, common services, and networking connections. The intent is to
help small companies in the incubator have a better chance of survival
throughout the start-up phase. Services may include, but are not limited
to: 1) office space (usually at a reduced rate); 2) office services (e.g.
receptionist, conference rooms, computers, office equipment, other); 3)
entrepreneurial advice and mentoring (e.g. establishing a web presence,
identifying intellectual property licensing opportunities, raising capital); 4)
business planning and market adjustment consulting; and 5) contacts and
networking providing access to experienced entrepreneurs, innovators
and professionals who can answer questions, provide guidance and
resources.
(b) Business Accelerator
i. Very similar to an incubator, but differs in that an accelerator usually has a
greater focus on companies entering or growing in a national or global
market. Business accelerators are more likely to be financed by venture
capitalists looking for an opportunity to finance growth potential through
defined action plans.
(c) Co- Worker Space
i. Co- worker space is an alternative way of working in which independent
professionals, telecommuters, and others with workplace flexibility share
one working environment, rather than work remotely in separate offices or
places. Co- workers typically do not need to work for the same employer or
even know each other to work together in a co- working environment. A co-
worker space is often a cafe -like collaboration space, gallery, or
productivity- enhancing multi - functional space, with the idea that individual
workers come together in a shared place to enjoy greater productivity and
a sense of community.
(d) Makerspace
i. Makerspaces, also referred to as hackerspaces, hackspaces, and fablabs,
are creative, community- operated DIY spaces where people can gather to
create, invent, and learn often in the areas of computers, machining,
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technology, science, digital or electronic art. Commonly used equipment
includes 3D printers, software, electronics, craft and hardware
supplies /tools.
(e) Pre - Venture Individuals
i. Pre - venture individuals, as defined by FSBDC, are those individuals
exploring business feasibility and seeking assistance with the
establishment of a new business. These individuals have no employees,
no sales and have not secured financing for their new venture.
(f) Start-up Businesses
i. Start-up businesses, as defined by FSBDC, are new businesses, but not
necessarily a new type of business, in business for less than three years.
Start-up businesses are defined by the length of time they have been in
business (established) and not by the size of their employment or
revenues. Start-up businesses are generally in the phase of development
with prospect for growth.
(g) Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs), as defined by FSBDC
i. Stage 1- emerging businesses in business for three of more years with
fewer than five FTE (Full Time Employees) or less than $1 M in annual
sales revenue. Stage I SMEs are emerging businesses beyond the phase
of development with promise for growth in both employment and
revenues.
ii. Stage 11- established businesses that have been in- business for three or
more years and have five or more FTE employees and /or more than $1 M
in annual sales revenue. Stage II SMEs have demonstrated an ability to
generate significant revenue in their respective industry or market over an
extended period of time with the ability and capacity for continuous
growth.
Section 9. Acceptance
(a) The Partners agree to the spirit and intent of this memorandum of understanding
and believe it offers the Clearwater area with a new environment for
entrepreneurial and small business development and support.
(b) The Partners agree to strive to work together as described in Sections 1 through
7.
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MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING
CLEARWATER BUSINESS SPARK!
AGREED AND ACCEPTED this /`t day
ofAa , 2015.
Countersigned: CITY OF CLEARWATER, FLORIDA
c QOr 1,tACrt\E �$
George N. Cretekos
Mayor
Approved as to form:
Laura Lipowski Mahony
Assistant City Attorney
By: ;11. 44 &
William B. Horne II
City Manager
Attest:
Rosemarie Call
City Clerk
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MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING
CLEARWATER BUSINESS SPARK!
Countersigned:
Rod Irwin
Executive Director
Approved as to form:
[101
Pamela K. Akin
CITY ATTORNEY
Attest:
AGREED AND ACCEPTED:
COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT
AGENCY OF THE CITY OF
CLEARWATER, FLORIDA
By: teof1t'1 Cr() Pos
George N. Cretekos
Chairperson
.,' tth C'
Rosemarie CaII
CITY CLERK
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s° 4x
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AGREED AND ACCEPTED:
By:
Approved as to form:
Office of the County Attorney:
By: ► (.:9
Mike Meidel, Director, Pinellas County
Economic Development
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AGREE
By:
AC EP ED:
.rol Hague, 'r -si;,�,
Clearwater Re 'ion. '
Commerce
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& CEO,
amber of
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AGREED AND ACCEPTED:
By:
Steve Allen, Founder, Technical Arts
Facility for Innovation and
Entrepreneurship
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EXHIBIT A
TAFFIE
•Roundtables, Networking
•Product Design &
Development
•Shark Tank /Investor Pitch
Opportunities
•Co- Worker & Executive
Office Space
•Office Amenities & 24 -hr
Access
Chamber of
Commerce
•Business Technology
Training
•Business Management
Training
• Networking /Meetups
•Conference Room
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City ED &H
'Coordination
• Marketing
• Incentives
•Permitting & Site
Location Assistance
Clearwater
Business
SPARK!
SBDC of
Pinellas
•Intake & Vettting of
Clients
•Business & Financial
Planning Assistance
•One -on -One Coaching
Programs, Services & Facilities
identified are examples only and
not intended to represent all that
is to be provided by each Partner.
City Main
Library
•Database /Research
'Studio & Production
Services
'Computers, Printers
'Training Facilities
CRA
'Tech District Incentives &
Programs
'Other CRA Incentives
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