Thanks to FGCU’s Institute for Entrepreneurship, business owners of tomorrow will be able to get a great start on their future today — while they are still students at the university.
The institute’s new Runway Program is a startup incubator exclusive to FGCU’s aspiring student entrepreneurs at no cost to them. Students can work on building new companies with help from entrepreneurship faculty and mentors.
“What I am most excited about is that we can provide our students — without any cost to them — this unique opportunity to support them through our expertise, mentorship and the latest technology to start their business while they are in school,” said Dr. Sandra Kauanui, director for the Institute for Entrepreneurship.
The FGCU Runway Program is open to currently enrolled students in any major. The program kicks off this fall, and all applications must be submitted no later than Monday, Sept. 5. To apply, go to: http://bit.ly/2aBrcB3. Early applications will be given priority in the review process.
The 12-week program will begin Sept. 12 at FGCU’s Emergent Technologies Institute, located just a few miles northeast of campus on Alico Road. Students are required to complete a minimum of 10 hours a week working in the ETI incubator as well as a minimum three to five hours per week outside of the incubator.
The goal is to help students expand their knowledge and resources for starting a business. There are no restrictions on the type of business being pursued. All members of student teams will need to complete an application.
Beginning Sept. 12, the incubator will be equipped with state-of-the-art prototyping equipment, including 3-D printers, Apple MacBook Pro laptops, high-end cameras and camcorders, as well as industry-leading software in business and engineering. Students will also learn and have access to business modeling tools. Everything essential to build a new startup from scratch, or expand on an existing business venture, will be available. Students are expected to complete a launch plan as part of the program.
At the end of the program, students will pitch to an investment committee that will review the launch plans to determine which team or teams will be eligible for a grant to be used to accelerate their business. Upon completion, students will be prepared to compete in the Governor’s Cup and other venture competitions across the state. The committee will also select two teams that will be granted free office space for one year at the Naples Accelerator.
The Runway Program is also set to provide about 15 paid student internships. Student interns will work in the incubator or with the institute within the Lutgert College of Business. All those interested in an internship opportunity should submit a brief cover letter and resume to program coordinator Amy Ridgway at [email protected].
For more information, contact Kauanui at [email protected], Ridgway at [email protected]; or Dr. Eric Arseneau, assistant professor of Entrepreneurship at [email protected].