FAU Receives Veterans Florida Entrepreneurship Program Grant
FAU’s Tech Runway, FAU COB Dept. of Management Programs, FAU Military and Veterans Affairs and the Small Business Development Center at PBSC received $135,000 from the Veterans Florida Entrepreneurial Program.
Florida Atlantic University’s Tech Runway, the FAU College of Business Department of Management Programs, FAU Military and Veterans Affairs and the Small Business Development Center at Palm Beach State College has received $135,000 to form a “network” partnership through the Veterans Florida Entrepreneurial Program.
FAU, along with three other Florida state universities, was selected to develop and teach an innovative three-part entrepreneurship program for veterans seeking to start their own businesses. The funding comes from a $1 million appropriation from the state legislature.
“America’s veterans are taught to think on their feet and find solutions to complex problems, and I can’t think of a better foundation for entrepreneurial thinking,” said Kimberly Gramm, associate vice president of FAU Tech Runway. “We’re honored to be part of a program that provides veterans who have served our country the skills they need to explore entrepreneurial opportunities and launch startups that will create jobs for fellow citizens.”
Each university will offer the same curriculum and dedicate existing small business development resources to the program, which is composed of three phases:
- Phase I: An online phase teaching the basics of entrepreneurship
- Phase II: A one week in-residence program at one of the participating universities during which veterans receive face-to-face instruction from business experts and refine their business concepts and plans.
- Phase III: One year of mentorship and follow-up support to help the veterans launch and run their business.
The program is a statewide university-based initiative to support the development of veteran entrepreneurs and their businesses. The three other participating universities are University of West Florida, Florida Gulf Coast University and University of North Florida. Full details about the program will be made available on Jan. 1, 2016 on the Veterans Florida website (veteransflorida.org) and recruitment of veteran students will begin at that time.
“The Veterans Florida Entrepreneurship Program offers veterans in the state access to high value, entrepreneurship education through our world-class state universities,” said Bobby Carbonell, executive director of Veterans Florida. “This education will empower the next generation of great veteran entrepreneurs to make lasting contributions to the state’s economy.”
For more information on Veterans Florida Entrepreneurship Program, please visit veteransflorida.org.
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