FSU entrepreneurs shine at first-ever Tomahawk Brunch

Eddie Matthews III, Samuel Allsopp and William Bowles of Top Dog Fitness won the Student Startup of the Year award.

Some of Florida State University’s most successful and creative graduates were recognized this week by the Office of Entrepreneurship and Innovation and the Jim Moran School of Entrepreneurship.

Awards were presented to student and alumni entrepreneurs in seven categories at the Tomahawk Brunch at FSU on March 5. More than 500 people cast votes for nominees.

The winner of the Student Startup of the Year award was Top Dog Fitness. It’s a student-operated business that’s off to a strong start with lots of success.

Forever Young Productions won the award for Student Social Venture of the Year. The honor is presented to current students who’ve set up a nonprofit or for-profit business focused on helping others.

DivvyUp Socks won Alumni Social Venture of the Year. It provides socks to homeless shelters as part of its business strategy. The award goes to an FSU-alumni venture that aims to create a better tomorrow by helping others today.

The winner of the Student Entrepreneur of the Year Award was Eddie Matthews, co-owner of Top Dog Fitness. He was recognized for his unmatched passion and drive for entrepreneurship.

James Stage, owner of Queralyze, won Alumni Entrepreneur of the Year. He has demonstrated an exceptional record of success while also improving others’ lives.

The Tomahawk award went to McKenzie Fitzpatrick, coordinator of the Center for Student Engagement in the Jim Moran School of Entrepreneurship. She was praised for her dedication to improving FSU’s entrepreneurial community with mentorship and support.

From left to right: Wendy Plant, director for the Center for Student Engagement at the Jim Moran School of Entrepreneurship; Susan Fiorito, director of the Jim Moran School of Entrepreneurship; Rose Naff, chief executive officer of Florida Health Choices, Inc.

Wendy Plant was named Faculty Entrepreneur of the Year. The award honors a faculty member who has dedicated much time and effort to advancing the lives of students with valuable input and support.

The Office of Entrepreneurship and Innovation and the Jim Moran School of Entrepreneurship are working to expand these awards, so they can continue to spotlight the many FSU entrepreneurs who contribute so much to the economy and quality of life in Florida and around the world.

About the Jim Moran School of Entrepreneurship
In December 2015, Florida State University announced the creation of the nation’s largest interdisciplinary, degree-granting school of entrepreneurship, the Jim Moran School of Entrepreneurship, as part of a major gift from Jan Moran and The Jim Moran Foundation. Students will participate in traditional case study learning along with innovative hands-on application and experiences. Students accepted in the inaugural 2017-2018 class will graduate with a Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts in entrepreneurship.