Today we’d like to introduce you to Brian Jacob.
Collective Ventures is a resource. Five specifically.
1. We have open free space to co-work, and conference rooms you can rent.
2, We have an amazing Cafe serving food and the finest coffee in South Florida, and beer and wine. Our Coffee can be enjoyed with a shot of CBD for the extra health benefits, and we’ve been offering that since early 2018
3. We have a collaborative Business Center that has 16 companies that work together. Companies such as our Software and Creative Agency DB Collective, Legal, Accounting, SEO & PPC, Social Media, Public Relations, Photography & Videography, Coaching, Business Planning and more that are positioned together to help you win.
4, We have a startup incubator helping startups get off the ground
5. We have a strong community presence hosting several free or minor priced events. They include RAW Story Telling, Music Jamz, Comedy Shows, Art Galleries, Startup Events, Entrepreneurial Fireside Chats, and many more with local groups such as Leadership Broward, United Way, FLITE, Airbnb, Ft. Lauderdale Chamber of Commerce, Ft. Lauderdale Alliance to name a few.
The idea was born out of frustration at the inefficient and haphazard way our team went about getting agency work done. It occurred to Brian that having a curated roster of quality talent in the different functional areas of business would solve a real problem many entrepreneurs were having.
When Brian mentioned the idea to his business partner Raj, he was intrigued. “We already had grown a strong list of vendors and built meaningful relationships with them over the last few years.” Raj continued, “Why not put them all together and work like a full-service agency?”
In addition, they had started investing in a few of the companies that came to their Manhattan or Ft. Lauderdale offices of their Creative Digital Agency, DB Collective. So it was a natural, organic progression of things they were already doing.
In addition, DB Collective had been providing enterprise level software, mobile application development, and creative services for companies like The United Nations, AT&T, The NHL, Forbes, Memorial Hospital, and many more small to large businesses.
“Our partners & vendors could assist with their specific expertise while growing their own portfolio and experience with high-level clientele.” When it comes to startups, they must have five things. “A solution to a problem, knowledge, experience, courage, and financing.
All five make the perfect grouping to execute the dream. But, if a few of those variables are missing, there is help from the Startup Collective. Collective Ventures can be a talented, connected and financially secure co-founder.” They have since invested in 13 companies and continue to get 20-30 pitches each week.
With plans to create Collective Ventures locations in Hollywood, Pembroke Pines, Weston, Del Ray, West Palm Beach, Tampa, and Orlando before leaving to other states, they believe they will have an amazing impact in the nurturing and growth of the startup culture in Florida.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Most has been done well. But the right members, staff, and the help from the City matters. For future locations, our goal is to work better hand in hand with the city we are planning on going to. Right now, nine cities are looking to help us get to them. By offering space, and cash incentives to bring our culture and community events alongside all the entrepreneurial efforts we offer, they know we can be a quick value add to their city.
The team also matters. Whether it’s internal staff or the members that make up the Collective, the folks make the Collective what it is. We strongly believe in the culture of the organization. So we say no to members and staff more than we say yes. We can train people to be better at their craft. But it’s much harder to train them to be amazing people.
Collective Ventures – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
I own a Creative Digital Agency with my business Partner Dhiraj Thareja, a best friend of mine since 1999. We founded the company in 2008, and have been helping some amazing clients. Most recently Bira91, and amazing Craft Beer brand, The United Nations, Aya Hospitality and their restaurants (Ghee, Erba, Bollywood Bar & Clay Oven, Thesis, and Mamey) AT&T, Memorial Hospital, and many more.
We provide consulting, creative, marketing, advertising, and software development to our clients. We focus on Emotionally connecting marketing, to get your customers to feel the need for your products. That has helped in our ability to develop apps, websites, and marketing to help our customers win.
Tell us about your favorite and least favorites things about our city.
I love the opportunity and the ability to create something amazing in such an untapped market. Coming from New York, I do wish the weather was a bit cooler though.
Pricing:
- Creative Services range from $75-$150 an hour
- Software development ranges from $75-$250 an hour
Contact Info:
- Address: 100 N Federal Highway, Suite #C4,
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301 - Website: www.collectiveventures.org
- Phone: (888) 233-2383
- Email: brian@collectiveventures.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/collectiveventures/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/collectiveventures.org/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/CV_ORG
Image Credit:
Rachael Markovic, Austen Amacker
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