May 6, 2025
First-of-its-kind partnership targets entrepreneurs with personalized business expertise in Downtown Dover
Delaware State University’s Center for Urban Revitalization and Entrepreneurship (CURE) and the Delaware Small Business Development Center (SBDC) announce a strategic partnership to boost entrepreneurial growth in Kent County. This collaboration will bring experienced SBDC advisors directly to DSU’s CURE locations in Downtown Dover, creating a centralized hub for business development services.
The partnership launches in April 2025, with SBDC advisors offering on-site appointments at both CURE facilities – the recently opened location on S. State Street and the Division Street office.
Entrepreneurs will receive personalized guidance on financial management, operational strategy, licensing requirements, and growth planning.
“This partnership represents a pivotal step in our mission to revitalize Downtown Dover as an innovation hub,” said Dr. Michael Casson Jr., Dean of the College of Business at Delaware State University. “By combining CURE’s specialized resources with SBDC’s proven expertise, we’re creating a powerful ecosystem where entrepreneurs can transform ideas into thriving businesses. This collaboration strengthens our commitment to economic development in Kent County and positions Dover as a center for innovation and entrepreneurial excellence.”
The DSU CURE initiative is poised to make a transformative impact on small businesses, particularly those led by low to moderate income entrepreneurs. Recognizing the distinct challenges they face, DSU CURE offers a customized incubator and shared workspace experience designed to significantly enhance their path to success. As the nation’s first initiative of its kind in Kent County, DSU CURE represents a groundbreaking model for business incubation and support.
The CURE integrates business incubation, co-working space, and community development into a cohesive support system for entrepreneurs, fostering a vibrant ecosystem that nurtures growth and innovation.
As a statewide organization, it is essential that we are present in the heart of our state’s capital. We have valued our longstanding partnership with Delaware State University and look forward to building out access and resources for the community in Dover and throughout Kent County.”
Sarah Mailloux, Associate State Director at Delaware SBDC, emphasized the strategic value of the partnership: “As a statewide organization, it is essential that we are present in the heart of our state’s capital. We have valued our longstanding partnership with Delaware State University and look forward to building out access and resources for the community in Dover and throughout Kent County.”
The collaboration stems from Dean Casson’s vision to position Downtown Dover as an innovation hub in Kent County. Since its dedication on October 24, 2024, the CURE Loockerman facility has become central to Dover’s revitalization efforts, offering incubator programming, targeted training workshops, and collaborative workspace.
For over 40 years, the Delaware SBDC has provided no-cost, one-on-one consulting and training to small businesses statewide. This partnership enhances the range of resources available through DSU’s facilities, faculty expertise, and student engagement, creating a comprehensive support system for entrepreneurial success.