Today, U.S. small businesses generate 75% of new jobs.
Small businesses create more than 50% of the U.S. Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

Small-businesses make a big contribution!

That's why Ancient City Enterprise Center, Inc. (ACEC) is launching a business incubator.

The incubator will strengthen and promote new businesses during their fragile start-up periods.

Both For-Profit- and Not-For-Profit- organizations will be eligible for support.

The Goals

The Process
The primary goal of an incubator is to produce successful "graduates" - independent enterprises that are strong and financially secure.

The ACEC incubator will:

  1. increase the launch-rate of new business ventures within St. Augustine and the vicinity
  2. accelerate growth rates
  3. expand survival rates and increase the ability of small businesses to self-sustain and contribute to the local economy.
 The dynamic incubation process includes training on key management topics. Furthermore, volunteer business experts from the community offer mentoring and technical assistance, guiding young enterprises as they encounter critical business challenges.

The incubator provides essential operational resources including office space at lower than standard market rate with flexible lease agreements, shared office and administrative services, and telephone and network connections.

The incubation philosophy stresses collaboration, innovation, and shared learning between client organizations, staff, and partnering organizations.


Some statistics regarding business incubators and small business