The annual Entrepreneurship Expo hosted by the Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship at Florida State University provides students with an opportunity to not only showcase their business ventures but also engage with the FSU community.
About 50 student-run businesses gathered on Landis Green during Homecoming Alumni Week at the event.
The Entrepreneurship Expo, a hallmark event of the college, serves as a platform where students can explore the entrepreneurial spirit at FSU, network with peers and discover the innovative ideas being developed by their fellow students.
“As a Panama City student, I was inspired by the incredible sense of community and support among Florida State students,” said Caitlin Elam, a commercial entrepreneurship major. “Founding *Livin’ Local Concierge* and running my business in Destin/30A has been a rewarding journey, allowing me to connect with all types of people and share the beauty of the place I call home.”
This year’s expo featured diverse student-run businesses, from tech startups to social enterprises. Each showcased the creativity and entrepreneurial drive of FSU students. By attending, students learned about the entrepreneurial process, saw cutting-edge ideas in action and gained insight into the latest trends in industries such as sustainability, fashion, digital media, health and more.
The expo offered a glimpse into how students from all backgrounds are turning their passions into viable business ventures.
“Being able to talk to other students allowed me to pitch my services to a different crowd,” added Elam. “Engaging with other passionate entrepreneurs ignited my own drive and reminded me that with hard work, dedication and perseverance, anything is possible. Success isn’t just a destination – it’s the result of believing in yourself and embracing every opportunity to grow.”
In addition to giving student entrepreneurs a chance to display their products, services, and business plans, the expo is also an interactive experience. Attendees can ask questions, provide feedback and even connect with entrepreneurs to explore collaborative opportunities or just learn more about the challenges and successes of starting a business.
This year’s Entrepreneurship Expo created an opportunity for past JMC students to support current students as they showcase their companies, products and services.
For more information about the Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship and upcoming events, visit jimmorancollege.fsu.edu/jmc-events or contact Kaitlin Simpson at ksimpson@jmc.fsu.edu.