Florida Atlantic University Launches Entrepreneurship Institute to Accelerate Innovation Across South Florida
Florida Atlantic University’s College of Business has launched the FAU Entrepreneurship Institute, a centralized initiative designed to oversee all aspects of business creation and accelerate innovation across South Florida.
The new institute brings together several of FAU’s established entrepreneurship programs under one unified structure, creating a streamlined pathway to support founders from early-stage ideation through venture growth and scale.
“Entrepreneurship is a powerful driver of innovation, job creation and economic growth,” said Kevin Cox, Ph.D., Director of the FAU Entrepreneurship Institute. “By integrating these programs into a single institute, FAU is expanding its ability to connect students, alumni, veterans and community entrepreneurs with the right access and tools to build successful businesses.”
A Unified Pipeline From Idea to Scale
The Entrepreneurship Institute integrates several of FAU’s core entrepreneurial programs into one coordinated ecosystem, including:
Adams Center for Entrepreneurship | Brings together students, faculty, and the community to fuel innovation while educating entrepreneurial leaders across all disciplines to develop sustainable solutions to economic and social challenges and prepare for venture creation through business ownership or new enterprise development.
FAU Business Pitch Competition | By bringing together students, veterans, community accelerator startups, and Spanish-language founders, the competition showcases diverse pathways to innovation while connecting founders with funding, mentorship, and real opportunities to scale.
Florida Atlantic Wave | An undergraduate and graduate applied research and entrepreneurial competition challenging students to submit and develop innovative ideas targeting societal problems.
The Runway at Florida Atlantic | A South Florida public-private partnership that accelerates technology development and incubates startup companies by providing mentoring, access to early-stage capital, grants and seed funding, along with intensive training, events, and connections to the region’s innovation network.
Veterans Florida Entrepreneurship Program | Recognize the unique skills, determination, and leadership qualities that veterans and their spouses bring to the business world through a program empowering veterans to harness their talents and transform their entrepreneurial dreams into reality.
By consolidating these programs, FAU has created a single, comprehensive pipeline that supports entrepreneurs at every stage, from ideation and validation to fundraising and market expansion.
This unified structure is expected to reduce fragmentation across resources and increase the likelihood that founders can access the mentorship, education, and capital connections needed to build sustainable businesses.
Expanding Mentorship While Building on a Proven Track Record
The institute also launched the newly established FAU Venture Mentor Team chapter, allowing founders to access a network of over 300 professional mentors, including entrepreneurs, investors and industry leaders, for guidance on strategy, fundraising and venture growth.
In addition to mentorship expansion, the institute is extending its footprint to the FAU John D. MacArthur Campus, where startup development and venture creation initiatives, including an Ideation Hackathon, are now underway. This expansion into Jupiter is particularly significant as the region continues to grow as a hub for life sciences, research, and technology innovation.
These advancements build on FAU’s strong history of venture development. To date, FAU-supported programs have contributed to nearly 300 ventures supported, $178 million in capital raised, more than 1,000 jobs created, and over 600 student internships generated. These results highlight the university’s growing role as a regional engine for economic development, workforce creation, and innovation-driven entrepreneurship.
“Economic freedom is the key for entrepreneurship and starting a business is the embodiment of the American Dream for many,” said Daniel Gropper, Ph.D., dean of FAU’s College of Business and Kaye Family Professor. “With the new Florida Atlantic Entrepreneurship Institute, we are excited to do our part to build opportunities for entrepreneurs here in Florida.”
Strengthening South Florida’s Innovation Ecosystem
Beyond campus boundaries, the FAU Entrepreneurship Institute represents a strategic investment in the broader South Florida startup landscape.
As the region continues to attract talent, investment, and industry growth, institutions like FAU are playing an increasingly important role in cultivating the next generation of founders.
The institute’s open-access model, serving students, alumni, veterans, and community entrepreneurs, positions it as a regional resource, not just a university initiative.
This approach aligns with ongoing growth across Palm Beach County and the broader South Florida innovation corridor, where universities, research centers, and private-sector partners are working together to strengthen entrepreneurship pipelines and workforce development.
Looking Ahead: A Platform for the Next Generation of Founders
With its centralized structure, expanded mentorship network, and growing regional footprint, the FAU Entrepreneurship Institute is poised to become a cornerstone of South Florida’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.
By bringing together resources, mentorship, and hands-on venture development opportunities, the institute aims to empower founders with the tools and support needed to transform ideas into viable, scalable businesses.
As South Florida continues its evolution into a nationally recognized innovation hub, initiatives like the FAU Entrepreneurship Institute will play a vital role in ensuring that the region not only attracts new companies, but also builds them from within.
