This year marks the fifth anniversary of FAU Tech Runway, our technology startup incubator on the Boca Raton campus. Since its inception, FAU Tech Runway has launched 72 companies, which collectively raised more than $63.5 million in capital, created more than 350 jobs, and generated more than $64.7 million in sales revenue.

When we created the university’s strategic plan, we listed “Leadership, Innovation and Entrepreneurship” as one of the platforms that would support our institutional priorities and benefit our society. Tech Runway is helping FAU win the “Race to Excellence” by providing the necessary resources for the most innovative startup companies to thrive – and ultimately, contribute to the South Florida economy – from right here on our Boca Raton campus.

Last week at the annual Tech Runway Maverick Reception, former interim president Dennis Crudele, and Board of Trustees Chairman and FAU alumnus Anthony Barbar, received the Lifetime Contribution Award for their role in launching Tech Runway. We truly appreciate the time and energy they put into helping Tech Runway become THE place where the best ideas from faculty, students and the community take flight, and transition from the drawing board to the marketplace, as revenue-generating companies.

Thank you to the FAU Tech Runway mentors, advisory board members, corporate partners, and generous donors who support our companies and facilitate their success. Together, we have ignited the entrepreneurial spirit in hundreds of students, faculty and community members, and I can’t wait to see what the future holds for these innovators and their companies.