Florida State University’s Innovation Hub recently opened its doors and showcased student-led projects in science, technology and entrepreneurship at the Seminole Innovators Open House. 

The event featured live demos, exhibits and presentations, highlighting how students from different disciplines collaborate on real-world problem solving. 

“Students from across disciplines invested significant time and energy in learning and innovating through a wide range of projects over the past academic year,” said Ken Baldauf, founding director of the Innovation Hub. “Although we were disappointed to cancel our year-end showcase last April, this open house offers students closure, camaraderie and a chance to celebrate their achievements while ushering in a new year of innovation and opportunity.” 

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Florida State University’s Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship recently launched a partnership with Student-Made, a custom online marketplace where FSU student entrepreneurs can sell and promote products and services at scale.   

Founded in 2019, Student-Made is a program made by students, run by students. The platform connects students, alumni and the local community while giving students real-life experiences and a chance to share passions, products and services with others. FSU is one of 14 campuses across the country that participates in the marketplace. 

“Student-Made establishes a community of inventors and innovators, offers exposure to creator products, and provides growth in skill sets needed later to thrive as an entrepreneur,” said Kirsten Harrison, assistant dean of Academic and Student Services. “Student-Made is a safe space for starting a business with low risk but maximum support.” 

The FSU program has 16 student entrepreneurs and 7 student managers who operate the Student-Made platform. Management staff positions are open to any FSU student who does not have a business or product, while the student creators are FSU student entrepreneurs who can sign up alone or with a group. 

“We wanted to provide an e-commerce platform where all FSU student entrepreneurs could engage with customers,” Harrison said. “A place where students can gain real-world business experiences, either as a creator or student manager providing backend logistics support.” 

All sellers have access to the Jim Moran College InNOLEvation® Center for Student Engagement which helps Florida State University students launch their own ventures, regardless of college or major. The center provides all FSU students with entrepreneurial opportunities to develop and showcase business ventures. 

“My experience has been nothing but amazing,” said Student-Made manager, Alfredo Rosing, a retail entrepreneurship major. “Being in an environment where we all push ourselves to become better has been a great experience. This program has provided me with a valuable connection and a team of managers that are willing to give their all for creators. They have inspired me to be a better leader and entrepreneur every single day.” 

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Guitar players leery of losing yet another pick through the instrument’s sound hole no longer need to fret thanks to Save A Pick Inc., winner of the 2023 InNOLEvation® Challenge.  

Florida State University freshman Mackenzie Taylor, inventor and CEO of Save A Pick, nabbed the $10,000 first-place prize in the business model competition, which is hosted by the Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship.  

InNOLEvation is open to students from all majors and asks students to identify problems and potential solutions with their product or service. 

“We’re so very proud of all the students who applied for this competition and worked throughout the past year to achieve this milestone in their businesses.”

— Susan Fiorito, dean of the Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship

Save A Pick fits over the guitar sound hole and prevents wayward picks from sparking a retrieval effort that has vexed guitar players since the instrument’s invention. Taylor, a native of Tampa, said a key to the product is that it does not disrupt the guitar’s sound. 

“We’re so very proud of all the students who applied for this competition and worked throughout the past year to achieve this milestone in their businesses,” said Susan Fiorito, dean of the Moran College.  

In addition to developing a product or service, participants build a business model, and subject their idea to customer testing. The entire competition takes place over two semesters with students submitting parts of the business model canvas along the way. 

The win was music to Taylor’s ears, who said she was thrilled and honored. 

Other winners in this year’s challenge are:

Elevated Flavors – $4,000 Jim Moran Challenge Social Venture Award 
Miss Posie Pockets – $4,000 Spirit of Entrepreneurship Award
Tallahassee Exchange – $4,000 DivvyUp Most Viable Award
Uni Cleaning Crew – $4,000 Growler Country Most Scalable Award
Gas Money, LLC – $4,000 Most Innovative Award
My Greek Legacy and Soyaline – $500 Finalists 

For more information, visit Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship.  

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