Small Business and Economic Development

business, economic growth, businesses, small business and economic development business-industry economic-development, small-business business-owners apply-for Business owners can get help with tools to foster economic growth throughout Miami-Dade County. Miami-Dade Economic Advocacy Trust (MDEAT) is committed to supporting the growth and development of small businesses throughout Miami-Dade County and advocating for equitable participation in economic opportunities. Since its founding in 2009 and its predecessor agency, Metro Miami Action Plan (MMAP), MDEAT has provided vital support to businesses through grant funding, marketing assistance, and technical resources. MDEAT serves as a catalyst for economic vitality in Miami-Dade County, working to address the socio-economic challenges that affect underserved populations. MDEAT is dedicated to promoting inclusive economic opportunities and addressing disparities in the local business ecosystem. MDEAT works to bridge the gaps that exist in the business community by connecting small businesses with resources and supporting their development, fostering a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem across the county. The agency also advocates for policies that enhance the economic and social well-being of all residents in the county through its Economic Development Action Committee. The committee promotes economic parity and works toward ensuring that all communities in Miami-Dade County have access to the resources necessary to live safe, healthy, and prosperous lives. How MDEAT helps small businesses: noFee /resources/images/services/mdeat-business-development.jpg Home

Custom Small Business Resources MDEAT’s goal is to be a go-to resource for the business community by connecting businesses to various organizations that provide technical assistance, funding, loans, training, and other support.

Custom MDEAT Pitch Fest 2026 - Dream. Pitch. Prosper. Do you have an innovative business idea or an established business ready for its next stage of growth? <a href="/resources/economic-advocacy/documents/2026-pitch-application.pdf">MDEAT Pitch Fest 2026</a> is your opportunity to showcase your vision, sharpen your presentation skills, and compete for $30,000 in prize funding. Hosted by the Miami-Dade Economic Advocacy Trust (MDEAT), Pitch Fest brings together ambitious entrepreneurs from across Miami-Dade County to compete in a dynamic business pitch competition. Participants will gain valuable experience, receive expert guidance, and have the opportunity to present their businesses before a panel of judges. Compete for $30,000 in Prize Funding Three outstanding entrepreneurs will be awarded funding to help accelerate the growth of their businesses: •    First Place: $15,000 •    Second Place: $10,000 •    Third Place: $5,000 Whether you're seeking funding, expanding your network, increasing your visibility, or refining your entrepreneurial skills, MDEAT Pitch Fest 2026 provides the resources, mentorship, and platform to help your business thrive. Important Dates: <ul> <li>Application Period: Aug. 3–28</li> <li>Free Virtual Pitch Workshops: Aug. 5–6</li> <li>Live Pitch Competition: Sept. 9</li> </ul> Don't miss this opportunity to bring your vision to life. <a href="/resources/economic-advocacy/documents/2026-pitch-application.pdf">Apply today</a>, perfect your pitch, and compete for funding that can help take your business to the next level.

Custom Business Expos MDEAT hosts Business Expos as an opportunity to showcase local businesses and connect them to consumers.

Custom Grant Alumni Program A Legacy of Growth, Excellence, and Impact The <a href="https://www.miamidade.gov/economicadvocacytrust/library/grant-alumni-information.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">MDEAT Grant Alumni Program</a> celebrates the journey, resilience, and success of our grantees from 2023 to 2025 and beyond. Whether you're just beginning or an established alum, you are part of a vibrant movement committed to growth, leadership, and community transformation. Through every milestone, challenge, and pivot, our grantees embody progress and purpose. We encourage continuous reflection, recalibration, and recommitment to your vision—ensuring your financial health, brand strategy, and impact stay aligned with your evolving goals. The MDEAT Grant Community is more than a network, it's a dynamic ecosystem of underrepresented businesses driving change across Miami-Dade County and beyond. Our alumni stay connected through mixers, workshops, and specialized trainings, fueling collective momentum and celebrating each other's wins. Being part of the MDEAT family means more than receiving a grant, it's about building a legacy of resilience, excellence, and empowerment. Together, we are shaping a future full of promise and possibility. Keep Rising, MDEAT Grant Community.

Custom Grant Alumni Monthly Meet-Up When: Every fourth Tuesday of the month  Time: 1 p.m.  Where: Online - Zoom links below Zoom details:  <a href="https://miamidade.zoom.us/j/82219285955?pwd=bSaUsNPebATtbdGOlnJ2EHMjOIgC27.1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Join Zoom meeting</a> Meeting ID: 822 1928 5955  Passcode: 400511

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economic-development ser154343669764511 local county miami-dade trust trusts Economic Advocacy TrustMDEAT Contact Us /global/government/trusts/economicadvocacy/contact.page /global/publicrecords/search.page Miami-Dade Economic Advocacy Trust Miami-Dade Economic Advocacy Trust's mission is to ensure the equitable participation in Miami-Dade County's economic growth through advocacy and monitoring of economic conditions and economic development initiatives in Miami-Dade County. Following the riots that erupted in 1980 after officers were acquitted for the death of Arthur McDuffie, the City of Miami and Miami-Dade County collaborated to create Metro-Miami Action Plan (MMAP) in 1983 as a solution to socioeconomic disparities in employment, economic development, education, housing, health and human services and criminal justice. In 1992, MMAP was further empowered by becoming a trust, and in September 2009 it was reorganized into MDEAT by ordinance 09-70. Since its inception, MDEAT’s focus has been on addressing socioeconomic disparities within the community. MDEAT does so by focusing on the individual (i.e., youth and individual family member support), building neighborhoods through the expansion of homeownership, and supporting the foundation of strong businesses and economic development via job creation, entrepreneurship, business retention, and expansion. These three gears - family, neighborhood, and business - work together to connect the community to resources, funding, and programming that together create whole communities. <ul> <li><a href="https://www.miamidade.gov/global/government/boards/economic-advocacy-trust.page">Board Members</a></li> <li><a href="/global/navigation/prindex.page?ORGANIZATIONNAME=Economic%20Advocacy%20Trust" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Read press releases</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.miamidade.gov/global/government/trusts/economicadvocacy/targeted-urban-areas.page">Maps throughout Miami-Dade County</a></li> </ul> /resources/economic-advocacy/images/mdeat-banner-home.png other Executive Director William "Bill" Diggs William%20%22Bill%22%20Diggs /global/government/biographies/economic-advocacy-trust.page Overtown Transit Village South - 601 NW 1st Court [loc1496409739736747] : Miami ^ 33136 loc1496409739736747 Suite 2132 305-375-5661 305-375-5651 /global/government/trusts/economicadvocacy/home.page facebook instagram economic-advocacy-trust org1477078752386373 loc1496409739736747 Overtown Transit Village South 601 NW 1st Court Suite 2132 Miami 33136 305-375-5661 305-375-5651 /global/government/trusts/economicadvocacy/home.page facebook,instagram https://www.facebook.com/MDEATInfo,https://www.instagram.com/mdeatinfo Executive Director