The Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship at Florida State University is set to honor seven recent graduates who are making their mark as entrepreneurs.
The annual “7 Under 30” event will take place at 3 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 18. The event acknowledges seven successful FSU alumni entrepreneurs who started businesses before the age of 30. This will be the ninth year for the event, which takes place during Tallahassee Startup Week.
Susan Fiorito, dean of the Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship, said she was thrilled to acknowledge the success of this year’s honorees.
“We are proud and honored to welcome back to campus seven talented and accomplished entrepreneurial alumni,” she said. “The businesses, products and processes they have created boost their local, regional and statewide economies and enrich the lives of all of us. We are privileged to host them here at FSU as they provide inspiration and dedication to our students in following their dreams.”
Due to COVID-19 restrictions, this year’s event will be livestreamed. Each of the seven honorees is scheduled to speak and offer their perspective and experiences in starting and growing a business. All seven will participate in a Q&A session.
Those interested in viewing the festivities are invited to visit tinyurl.com/7U30-2020.
This year’s 7 Under 30 honorees are:
| Dominick Ard’is Tallahassee, FL Founder & CEO, ACT House M.S. Urban Planning, M.S. International Affairs Grad Year: 2012 Organizations: Speaker of the Congress of Graduate Students, Student Government Association, Synoptikos Durp | Michael Benarde Tallahassee, FL NightCap Co-Founder & President B.S. Political Science Grad Year: 2019 Current FSU M.B.A Student |
| Summer Griffith Tallahassee, FL Drip Drop Fitness Founder & Owner B.S. Retail Merchandising and Product Development, M.B.A Grad Year: 2017 Organizations: Alpha Delta Pi, AATCC | Hannah King Tallahassee, FL Woven Futures Founder & CEO B.S. International Affairs Grad Year: 2019 Organizations: HLSU, LEONES |
| Gerard LaMothe Jr. Tallahassee, FL Superior Painting of Tallahassee, Inc. President B.S. Psychology Grad Year: 1998 | Nelisa Lee Jacksonville, FL Evergreen Home Buyers Co-Owner B.S. Family & Child Sciences Grad Year: 2011 Organizations: C.H.I.C.S., PeaceJam, Jumpstart |
| Tarek Waked Los Angeles, CA Type One Ventures Co-Founder & General Partner B.A. International Affairs with an emphasis in Economics Grad Year: 2013 Organizations: Pi Kappa Alpha |