Florida State University’s Jim Moran Institute for Global Entrepreneurship (JMI) celebrated the successful completion of its 2026 Entrepreneurship Bootcamp for Veterans and Families (EBV-F), held June 8-12 in Tallahassee.

The intensive five-day program brought together veterans, military spouses and family members from across the region to explore entrepreneurship as a pathway to business ownership and economic opportunity. Through hands-on workshops, mentorship and networking opportunities, participants gained practical tools and insights to help launch or grow successful ventures.

The EBV-F program is designed to empower veterans and their families by providing entrepreneurial education, business training and access to a network of experienced entrepreneurs, business leaders and community partners. Participants engaged in sessions focused on business planning, marketing, financial management, leadership and strategic growth.

“Entrepreneurship is more than starting a business — it’s about creating opportunities, building communities and empowering individuals to recognize their own potential,” said Melissa Roberts, Director of Veterans Programs at the Jim Moran Institute. “It’s a privilege to support this year’s remarkable cohort of veteran spouses, caregivers and family members as they leverage their unique experiences, resilience and dedication to build businesses that drive meaningful change.”

Throughout the week, participants worked alongside fellow aspiring entrepreneurs while learning from faculty, business experts and successful entrepreneurs. The program emphasized collaboration, innovation and the unique strengths veterans and military families bring to the business community.

Since its inception, the EBV-F program has helped veterans and military families develop the knowledge, confidence and connections needed to pursue entrepreneurial success. Graduates join a growing network of alumni who continue to support one another as they navigate the challenges and opportunities of business ownership.

For more information about the Entrepreneurship Bootcamp for Veterans and Families and other Jim Moran Institute programs, visit the Jim Moran Institute website.

About the Jim Moran Institute for Global Entrepreneurship

The Jim Moran Institute for Global Entrepreneurship, housed in the Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship at Florida State University, cultivates, trains and inspires entrepreneurial leaders through world-class executive education, applied training, public recognition and leading-edge research. The Jim Moran Institute comprises a dedicated team of entrepreneurship professionals, academic scholars and staff who foster the entrepreneurial spirit by helping to organize, expand and promote the knowledge and practice of entrepreneurship to facilitate new business and further the goals of established businesses.

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Soon after the development of the first computers, engineers and programmers began tinkering with them to create games. Turning a calculating machine into a device for fun pushed the capabilities of the new technology, stimulated creative thinking and inspired interest from the public.

From their origins in the 1950s and 1960s, video games have come a long way. They’re now an industry that generates more than $180 billion annually around the world. Faculty at Florida State University are innovating in this rapidly evolving field, studying how games can reduce mental health stigma, improve language learning, train child welfare professionals and create new opportunities for science communication.

Games and human behavior

At the College of Communication and Information (CCI), researchers are investigating the cultural impacts of video games and how they can affect perceptions of mental illness. In 2025, Professor Nicholas Sellers authored a book chapter titled “GAMES FOR GOOD: Exploring the Potential for Traditional Video Game Narratives to Reduce Mental Health Stigma.”

The chapter is based on a study published in Frontiers, conducted by Sellers and Associate Professor Arienne Ferchaud. The study examined whether playing or watching a video game character experiencing mental illness affected participants’ attitudes toward mental health.

Researchers found that players who directly engaged with the game felt more connected to the character and demonstrated lower levels of stigma, which may help remove impediments to treatment.

“One of the main barriers to seeking treatment is the stigma around mental health. If we can find ways to destigmatize mental illness, we can remove that barrier and encourage treatment when necessary,” Ferchaud said. “Video games are an effective medium for representation because of their interactivity, allowing players to ‘practice’ interactions in a way that is not possible in non-interactive media.”

Other CCI researchers are also exploring applications of video games in the classroom. In a multi-institutional research study published in ACM Journals, Professor Sana Tibi co-led research examining whether collaborative video games can help English as a Second Language (ESL) students develop language skills. The study paired native English speakers and ESL students in a game that required communication and cooperation to complete tasks.

Other research is examining games as a communication medium that intrinsically involves decision making from the audience. Gabrielle Lamura, a doctoral student at FSU, explored horror and morality in video games in her paper, “Moral Dilemmas: Horror Video Games Narrative Mechanics,” which she presented at a 2025 National Communication Association conference.

Some of her other projects are examining how environmental factors and game mechanics influence player behavior and a review of morality and moral decision making in games.

At the FSU College of Music, Assistant Professor Julianne Grasso researches music in multimedia, especially video games, examining how musical themes associated with characters and places develop during a game’s narrative.

“Video game music is interesting for the ways that it seems to function as background and yet has such an effect on us,” Grasso said. “It’s similar to film music in that it can affect how we perceive the emotions and meanings of the scenes we are watching, but video game music goes one step further in influencing ultimately how players interact with virtual environments.”

As technology developed, game designers gained a greater ability to add richness and interactivity to in-game sounds and music, changing how users perceived their experience. Early adaptive audio has evolved so musical directors in modern games have a wide number of parameters they can adjust to fit their creative goals.

“In a film, we might get tense, dissonant music to accompany a suspenseful scene and help the audience feel what characters feel. In a game, that same kind of music might be used as a signal for the player to watch out for danger and to act accordingly,” she said.

From screen to reality: Practical applications of video game technology

The Florida Institute for Child Welfare (FICW) collaborated with different contractors to launch two new virtual reality (VR) tools that help social workers train for a critical job in low-stakes virtual environments.

“We are working to create real-world practice opportunities for both current child welfare professionals and students preparing to enter the field,” said FICW Associate Director of Professional Development Kristina Finch. “Through our immersive VR platforms, including the Accenture Avenues headset experiences and our AI-powered virtual home environment being developed with MeetKai, participants can build and strengthen the skills needed to effectively engage with children and families while promoting safety and well-being.”

These interactive simulations provide controlled environments where College of Social Work students can develop skills before practicing in real-world settings. These AI-powered tools allow students to practice observing environmental factors in a virtual setting, helping students connect classroom instruction with real-world practice.

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This summer, Florida State University will welcome scholars from India’s top research institutions to Tallahassee through a new initiative designed to spark international collaboration, accelerate innovation and expand FSU’s global research partnerships. 

The inaugural Visiting Scholars Partnership Program (VSPP) is designed to strengthen high-impact, research-and innovation-centered partnerships with leading universities around the world. The pilot program, which takes place July 5-31, will bring scholars from four highly ranked international institutions to FSU’s Tallahassee campus for exploratory research collaborations.  

During their stay, each visiting scholar will be paired with FSU faculty aligned with their expertise and desire to build international partnerships. Visiting scholars will explore FSU’s world-class facilities, meet administrators across multiple departments and engage in rich, one-on-one collaboration with their faculty peers several times each week. 

Housed in the Office of the Provost, the initiative receives strategic oversight from the Office for Strategic Initiatives and Innovation and is implemented by the Learning Systems Institute (LSI), which conducts research and develops evidence-based interventions to improve individual and organizational performance. 

“Florida State University believes some of the most meaningful breakthroughs happen when scholars from different backgrounds and perspectives come together to exchange ideas,” said Jim Clark, provost and executive vice president for Academic Affairs. “The Visiting Scholars Partnership Program creates opportunities for collaboration that strengthen research, expand global partnerships and enrich the academic experience for our entire university community.” 

“The Visiting Scholars Partnership Program creates opportunities for collaboration that strengthen research, expand global partnerships and enrich the academic experience for our entire university community.”

— Jim Clark, FSU provost and executive vice president for Academic Affairs 

The initiative was spearheaded by Farrukh Alvi, senior associate provost for Strategic Initiatives and Innovation and the Don Fuqua Eminent Scholar and Professor of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at the FAMU–FSU College of Engineering.

“The program is designed to create opportunities for researchers to explore new ideas, identify complementary strengths and develop partnerships around shared areas of interest,” Alvi said. “We hope these collaborations will lead to impactful, lasting research relationships and new opportunities for innovation across disciplines.” 

The VSPP will provide a structured, immersive experience that supports collaborative research, innovation exchange and the development of long-term institutional partnerships. Collaborations will span fields including aerospace engineering, biomedical engineering, quantum optics, entrepreneurship and advanced materials research. 

“At Florida State University, we recognize that research and higher education are increasingly global in nature,” said Steve McDowell, assistant provost for International Initiatives. “The Visiting Scholars Partnership Program reflects FSU’s continued investment in international engagement and global research partnerships to serve the people of Florida.” 

“The Visiting Scholars Partnership Program reflects FSU’s continued investment in international engagement and global research partnerships to serve the people of Florida.”

— Steve McDowell, FSU assistant provost for International Initiatives

Vilma Fuentes, director of FSU’s Ukraine Task Force and a visiting associate in research at LSI, will serve as inaugural program director of the VSPP.  

“This program provides an exciting opportunity to connect scholars from some of the best universities in the world with faculty and departments across our great university,” Fuentes said. “We anticipate these exchanges will lead to new research partnerships, expanded academic engagement and future opportunities that benefit both FSU and our international partners.” 

India is home to some of the world’s fastest-growing research and technology institutions, making the partnerships especially valuable for future global collaboration. Participating partner institutions include the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras), Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur (IIT Kanpur), Indian Institute of Technology Delhi (IIT Delhi), and the Indian Institute of Science (IISc).  

The partner institutions rank among the world’s leading universities for engineering, science and technology research in the QS World University Rankings. The QS World University Rankings is one of the most comprehensive assessments of its kind, offering an independent comparison of top universities worldwide based on academic excellence, employability, research impact and internationalization. 

“At LSI, we believe innovation happens when people with different expertise and perspectives come together to solve complex challenges,” said Rabieh Razzouk, director of LSI. “The Visiting Scholars Partnership Program creates an environment where those collaborations can grow, benefiting not only our institutions, but also the broader communities and systems our work is intended to serve.” 

Summer 2026 VSPP pairings include:  

• Wei Guo, Professor, Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, FAMU–FSU College of Engineering, with Bhaskar Kanseri, Professor, Quantum Optics Physics, IIT Delhi
• Bill Lickson, Professor, Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship, and Pradeep Bhide, Professor, FSU College of Medicine, with Amit Mehndiratta, Professor, Biomedical Engineering, IIT Delhi  
• Farrukh Alvi, Professor, Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, FAMU–FSU College of Engineering, with Tufan Kumar Guha, Assistant Professor, Aerospace Engineering, IIT Kanpur, and Debopam Das, Professor, Aerospace Engineering, IIT Kanpur  
• Unnikrishnan Nair, Associate Professor, Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, FAMU–FSU College of Engineering, with Rajesh Ranjan, Associate Professor, Aerospace Engineering, IIT Kanpur  
• Rajan Kumar, Professor, Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, FAMU–FSU College of Engineering, with Mohammed Ibrahim Sugarno, Associate Professor, Aerospace Engineering, IIT Kanpur  
• William Oates, Professor, Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, FAMU–FSU College of Engineering, with Nidish Narayanaa Balaji, Assistant Professor, Aerospace Engineering, IIT Madras  
• Tristan Driscoll, Assistant Professor, Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, FAMU–FSU College of Engineering, with Namrata Gundiah, Professor, Mechanical Engineering, IISc  
• Zhiyong (Richard) Liang, Professor, Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering, FAMU–FSU College of Engineering; Tarik Dickens, Professor and Interim Associate Chair, Materials Science and Engineering Department, FAMU-FSU College of Engineering; and Raghav Gnanasambandam, Assistant Professor, FAMU-FSU College of Engineering, with Prosenjit Das, Assistant Professor, Materials Engineering, IISc

Cultural activities will also be arranged to give participants a deeper understanding of American culture, society and the surrounding environment. In celebration of the 250th anniversary of the United States, activities will include locations listed on the America250FL Road Trip Map. 

In addition to advancing scientific understanding and knowledge exchange, these partnerships are expected to lead to joint research proposals, co-authored publications, shared data, complementary use of resources and new interdisciplinary initiatives. Organizers hope the program will serve as a foundation for sustained international collaboration and future faculty and student exchange opportunities at scale. 

Visit the Visiting Scholars Partnership Program website to learn more about VSPP. For more information about LSI, visit lsi.fsu.edu. To learn more about FSU’s global footprint, visit global.fsu.edu.

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Florida State University and the Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship (JMC) will welcome entrepreneurship educators, center directors, researchers, startup ecosystem builders and innovation leaders from around the world for the 2026 Global Consortium of Entrepreneurship Centers (GCEC) Conference Oct. 15-17 in Tallahassee.

The conference marks the 30th anniversary of the GCEC, the world’s premier organization supporting university-based entrepreneurship centers and programs. The event arrives during a historic period for FSU, which is celebrating its 175th anniversary in 2026. It also follows the 30th anniversary celebration of the Jim Moran Institute for Global Entrepreneurship (JMI).

GCEC brings together more than 500 entrepreneurship leaders from across the globe to exchange ideas, share best practices and explore the future of entrepreneurship education, innovation and economic development. It’s where conversations go beyond theory and into what’s working right now — teaching entrepreneurship, how students are launching ventures and how universities are connecting more intentionally with the innovation ecosystems around them. Across keynotes, breakout sessions and a lot of hallway conversations, attendees swap ideas, co-create resources and explore new approaches for the future of entrepreneurship education.

This year’s theme is momentum, the forward motion that moves ideas into action, transforms challenges into opportunities and fuels the engine of innovation.

“I love entrepreneurship because it is one of society’s greatest force multipliers, helping to build momentum that transforms ideas into action and drives both economic and social impact,” said Eric Liguori, JMC professor and associate dean. “As we prepare to welcome this global group of entrepreneurship leaders to FSU to share best practices, build partnerships and shape the future of innovation and entrepreneurship education, I can’t think of a better theme to capture the essence of entrepreneurship at FSU and the possibilities GCEC 2026 is sure to present.”

“I love entrepreneurship because it is one of society’s greatest force multipliers, helping to build momentum that transforms ideas into action and drives both economic and social impact.”

– Eric Liguori, Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship Professor

FSU is joining a strong lineup of institutions that have hosted the GCEC Conference over its 30-year history, including many of the most well-established entrepreneurship programs around the world. The group of host institutions has helped shape the conference into what it is today: a collaborative forum where relationships turn into partnerships, new program ideas and new ways of thinking about how to best support founders. It’s also one of the few gatherings that shows how quickly entrepreneurship education is evolving across different universities and regions.

“Our unique model of hosting the GCEC Conference on a different campus each year gives attendees a direct look at diverse universities and regional entrepreneurship ecosystems,” said Holly DeArmond, executive director of the GCEC. “Celebrating our 30th anniversary at FSU in 2026 is special. Not only are they home to the nation’s first college of entrepreneurship, but their Jim Moran Institute for Global Entrepreneurship also recently celebrated its 30th anniversary. Together, we represent three decades of leadership in entrepreneurship education and programming.”

Hosting the GCEC Conference provides FSU with a unique opportunity to showcase Tallahassee’s growing entrepreneurial ecosystem and the university’s leadership in innovation and economic development.

Entrepreneurship and innovation are key priorities within FSU’s strategic vision, reflected through investments in entrepreneurial education, research commercialization, student innovation and community engagement. Through the Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship, the Jim Moran Institute for Global Entrepreneurship, innovation-focused academic programs, startup support initiatives and partnerships across the region, FSU continues to serve as a catalyst for entrepreneurial growth and economic opportunity.

Conference attendees will have the opportunity to experience firsthand the collaborative network that supports entrepreneurs throughout North Florida, including university programs, startup support organizations, business leaders, investors and community partners working together to create an environment where innovation can thrive.

The conference is also expected to generate significant economic and community impact for Tallahassee by bringing visitors from around the world to Florida’s capital city and highlighting the region’s entrepreneurial momentum, research capabilities and commitment to innovation.

Call for session proposals

Entrepreneurship educators, researchers and practitioners are invited to contribute to the global conversation on entrepreneurship education and innovation by submitting session proposals for the 2026 conference.

Proposal Submission Deadline: June 15, 2026
Submit your session proposal

Registration information

Conference registration includes access to keynote presentations, breakout sessions, networking opportunities, hospitality suites, scheduled meals and official conference programming throughout the three-day event.

• Early bird registration: April 1-Aug. 3 ($650)
• Regular registration: Aug. 4-Aug. 31 ($825)
• Late registration: Sept. 1-Oct. 15 ($975)
• Guest dinner pass: $150 per guest, per dinner
• Register Today

The 2026 GCEC Conference will be held on FSU’s campus and at select venues throughout Tallahassee. Attendees will experience the university’s vibrant entrepreneurial community while connecting with peers from leading institutions around the world.

For more information about conference registration, sponsorship opportunities and proposal submissions, visit JMC’s website. If you have any questions, please contact the FSU GCEC committee at gcec@jmc.fsu.edu.

About the Global Consortium of Entrepreneurship Centers

The Global Consortium of Entrepreneurship Centers is the premier international organization for university-based entrepreneurship centers. Through conferences, professional development opportunities and awards programs, GCEC supports the advancement of entrepreneurship education and innovation ecosystems around the world.

About the Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship

The Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship at Florida State University is dedicated to teaching, learning and practicing entrepreneurship. As one of the nation’s leading standalone colleges of entrepreneurship, JMC prepares students to become entrepreneurial leaders and innovators while supporting economic development and business creation throughout Florida and beyond.

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Florida State University, through FSU Health, has awarded $250,000 to the five inaugural recipients of its Clinical Catalyst Grant Program, an initiative that brings together FSU researchers and local clinical providers to address healthcare challenges through collaborative projects. 

“Clinical Catalyst creates an exciting opportunity for our research teams to join forces with local clinical providers and accelerate progress on some of the most urgent issues affecting patient care in our community,” said Vice President for Research Stacey S. Patterson.  

FSU launched Clinical Catalyst to give clinicians an opportunity to share ideas for addressing healthcare needs identified through their daily work. The program also supports the broader goals of FSU Health by bringing additional resources and opportunities to healthcare in the region. 

The 2025-2026 Clinical Catalyst awardees are: 

• Accessible and Engaging Non-Pharmacologic Management of Chronic Pain Combining Music Therapy and Brain Stimulation: Kevin Johnson from the FSU College of Medicine and his team are partnering with Dr. Gilbert Chandler from Tallahassee Orthopedic Clinic to explore a promising, non-drug approach to chronic musculoskeletal pain by combining music therapy with Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation. 

• Building a New Care Pathway: ICAN-Guided Nutrition Support for Aging Adults in Clinical Settings: Julia Sheffler at the FSU College of Medicine and a multidisciplinary team of nutrition and exercise experts are collaborating with Dr. Cielo Rose from Capital Health Plan’s Nancy Van Vessem Center for Healthy Aging to build a structured nutrition and lifestyle program designed to better support older adults in clinical settings. 

• Feasibility, Acceptability, and Preliminary Efficacy of Vagus Nerve Stimulation for Stroke Aphasia: Sladjana Lukic from the FSU School of Communication Science and Disorders, in partnership with Dr. Narlin Beaty at Tallahassee Neurological Clinic, is exploring an innovative approach that could help stroke survivors regain language abilities by reactivating critical neural networks. 

• Redesigning Post-Mastectomy Bras: Investigating Design Innovations to Reduce Seroma and Hematoma Formation and Enhance Patient Satisfaction: Jessica Ridgway Clayton from the FSU Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship is working with Dr. Shlermine Everidge from TMH Physician Partners, to develop improved bras for mastectomy patients to support recovery, improve comfort and enhance patient satisfaction. 

• Increasing the Uptake of Advanced Care Directives in Hospital and Clinical Settings: Miles Taylor from the FSU Pepper Institute on Aging and Public Policy, in collaboration with Dr. R. Kelley Myers from the Tallahassee Memorial Family Medicine Residency Program, aims to make end-of-life planning easier and more accessible for patients and families while helping reduce unnecessary medical treatments and costs. 

“These projects reflect the strength of interdisciplinary collaboration at FSU and our shared commitment to delivering innovative ideas that can make a meaningful difference in clinical practice and patient outcomes,” Patterson said.  

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FSU Health brings together researchers, clinicians and local clinical partners under one umbrella to transform health and healthcare in Florida. To learn more about FSU Health, visit  fsuhealth.fsu.edu. 

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Florida State University’s Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship has graduated the first cohort of its Veteran Entrepreneurship Certificate Program in Leon County, with 14 veterans completing the Facilitated Business Modeling Program.

Delivered in partnership with State of Florida nonprofit Veterans Florida, the free program is designed to help participants move from business ideas to actionable business models through practical instruction in customer discovery, market validation and entrepreneurial decision making. The six-week program combined interactive workshops, mentoring and applied exercises focused on helping participants evaluate and strengthen their business concepts.

“Veterans bring an incredible combination of resilience, leadership and adaptability to entrepreneurship,” said Eric Liguori, associate dean for research and external relations in the Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship, who led the program. “What made this cohort especially exciting was watching participants build confidence in their ideas while also building a strong community around one another.”

Participants represented a range of entrepreneurial interests and business development, from early-stage concepts to existing ventures seeking growth and refinement. Throughout the program, participants worked through business modeling activities, explored customer validation strategies and connected with local entrepreneurial resources. In doing so, they learned directly from multiple FSU faculty, including Susana Santos, Bill Lickson, Juliana Binhote, Doug Tatum, and Melissa Roberts, bringing expertise spanning entrepreneurship education, venture growth, finance and innovation and small business development.

Feedback from participants highlighted the practical nature of the program and the value of learning alongside fellow veterans. They praised the program’s open-forum format, its ability to clearly teach how to run a business and how it allowed each attendee to naturally network.

Program organizers said participants consistently pointed to the program’s hands-on approach, real-world applicability and supportive learning environment as key strengths. Several participants also noted that the experience helped them better understand how to refine business ideas, identify customer needs and think strategically about long-term growth.

“This partnership with Veterans Florida reflects the kind of community-centered impact happening every day in the Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship,” said Susan Fiorito, dean of the college. “We are proud to support veterans and military-connected families as they pursue entrepreneurial opportunities that can create lasting economic and community impact across Florida.”

“This partnership with Veterans Florida reflects the kind of community-centered impact happening every day in the Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship.”

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

Graduates received a certificate of completion from the Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship and are now eligible to join the Jim Moran Institute for Global Entrepreneurship’s statewide alumni network of more than 2,700 Florida business owners.

This program builds on FSU’s longstanding commitment to supporting veterans, service members and military-connected families through entrepreneurship education, workforce development and community engagement initiatives.

For more information about veteran entrepreneurship programming at FSU, visit the Jim Moran Institute for Global Entrepreneurship website.

About Veterans Florida

Veterans Florida is a state-created and funded nonprofit organization. We provide free career, SkillBridge, and entrepreneurship training and opportunities for separating or retiring servicemembers, veterans, and their spouses residing in or moving to Florida. We also assist employers seeking to strengthen their workforce with military talent. For more information, please visit www.veteransflorida.org.

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The Panama City Small Business Executive Program, operated by Florida State University’s Jim Moran Institute for Global Entrepreneurship, celebrated its first-ever graduating cohort on April 30. The achievement marks a significant milestone for small business leadership development in the Northwest Florida region.

The executive-level program equips small business owners with the tools, strategies and mindset needed to lead with confidence, strengthen business operations and turn challenges into opportunities for long-term growth. Participants of the program engaged in advanced leadership and business development training focused on helping entrepreneurs think differently, adapt strategically and build stronger, more resilient businesses.

“We are incredibly proud of the dedication and hard work demonstrated by this inaugural class,” said Marina Lickson, director of the Northwest Florida program. “Their commitment to growth and leadership reflects the strength and potential of the small business community in Panama City and beyond.”

The program’s partnership with the Florida State University Panama City campus created a collaborative environment where local business leaders could learn, connect and grow together. The achievements of the initial graduating class highlight the potential influence these business owners will have on the Panama City community and the surrounding area.

Applications for the Tallahassee Small Business Executive Program fall cohort are open until August 14, 2026. More information can be found on the program’s website.

About the Small Business Executive Program (SBEP)

The Small Business Executive Program is an executive-level leadership and business development initiative created to support small business owners through strategic learning, leadership training and peer collaboration, designed to foster sustainable business growth.

About the Jim Moran Institute for Global Entrepreneurship

The Jim Moran Institute for Global Entrepreneurship, housed in the Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship at Florida State University, cultivates, trains and inspires entrepreneurial leaders through world-class executive education, applied training, public recognition and leading-edge research. The Jim Moran Institute comprises a dedicated team of entrepreneurship professionals, academic scholars and staff who foster the entrepreneurial spirit by helping to organize, expand and promote the knowledge and practice of entrepreneurship to facilitate new business and further the goals of established businesses.

For more information, visit jmi.fsu.edu.

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A Florida State University professor at the Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship is among the select few to win a prestigious international award for outstanding sustainability leadership.

Eundeok Kim, a professor specializing in sustainability, social entrepreneurship and product management, is one of 10 faculty members globally to be chosen as a Sustainability Fellow by the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE). The association serves a full range of higher education faculty, administrators, staff, and students who are change agents and drivers of sustainability innovation.

“I am very honored and humbled to be recognized as a 2026 AASHE Fellow,” Kim said. “This recognition encourages me to further incorporate sustainability and sustainable development into my teaching, research and service and strengthens my commitment to the urgent call for action. I am deeply thankful to the numerous colleagues, community partners and students who have collaborated with me for various teaching and research projects and services to the community, which allowed me to grow as a sustainability agent.”

“This recognition encourages me to further incorporate sustainability and sustainable development into my teaching, research and service and strengthens my commitment to the urgent call for action.”

– Eundeok Kim, Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship Professor

Kim has contributed to her field in several ways: producing impactful refereed journal articles and books that highlight her important research into sustainability and social entrepreneurship. She teaches Sustainability and Human Rights in the Business World, developed with FSU Center for the Advancement of Human Rights Director Terry Coonan, to all majors at FSU. She was recognized with numerous awards, including the 2024-25 University Teaching Award for Community Engaged Teaching and the 2023 Social Entrepreneurship SIG Award for Social Entrepreneurship Teaching from the United States Association for Small Business and Entrepreneurship (USASBE). Her research was also acknowledged with the 2024 Minority and Women Entrepreneurship SIG Scholar Award by USASBE.

“The 2026 AASHE Sustainability Award recipients reflect the momentum and innovation driving change across higher education,” added AASHE Executive Director Meghan Fay Zahniser. “Among their community, these individuals are true change makers — turning bold ideas into action and setting a powerful example of leadership and impact for the field.”

Kim is one of several FSU Faculty Senators who founded the Faculty Senate Sustainability Committee in 2020. She served as Chair of Education in 2024-25 and serves as deputy editor for the International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education by Emerald.

Among her core research areas, Kim has investigated on sustainable business models and strategies, the role of social entrepreneurship in advancing sustainable development, and cross-and trans-disciplinary sustainability education. Her case study on Ten Thousand Villages, a nonprofit fair-trade organization, explored business models that empower marginalized groups.

Her most recent publication, “Using Artificial Intelligence in Sustainability Teaching and Learning,” examines how AI tools can be integrated into curricula to enhance sustainability education.

To learn more about AASHE, visit the association’s website at aashe.org.

More information about the Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship can be found at jmc.fsu.edu.

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Student entrepreneurs from across Florida State University gathered at the Innovation Hub last week to pitch business ventures in the Student Innovators’ Shark Tank competition.

Hosted and sponsored by the Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship, the competition challenged students to move beyond classroom theory into a startup environment. Participants competed for a $1,000 grand prize to help launch their ventures.

“The JMC Shark Tank offers students a hands-on opportunity to experience what it’s really like to pitch in front of real entrepreneurs and successful business owners,” said May Jingyan Wang, student engagement program coordinator for the Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship. “These students are learning how to communicate under pressure, respond to feedback and adapt their strategies in real time, building a level of professional confidence that sharpens their skills regardless of their major.”

Participants delivered a three-minute pitch followed by a five-minute Q&A session with local business owners and entrepreneurs. The judges evaluated each venture based on originality, strength of its value proposition and potential for market success.

“Applying what I’m learning in the classroom to real-world projects allows me to see my efforts come to life while building the confidence I need to be ready for my career.” 

—Samir Kanbar, Student Innovators’ Shark Tank participant

The Innovation Hub served as a natural setting for the cross-disciplinary competition.

“The Hub is a unique and central resource for students and faculty from across disciplines to meet and collaborate,” said Ken Baldauf, founding director of the Innovation Hub. “We provide access to emerging technologies and design thinking training that drive innovation for students in every major. We value our close relationship with the Jim Moran College.”

The competition helps students master the art of the elevator pitch while receiving direct feedback from industry professionals. By distilling complex business plans into concise presentations, the event bridges academic study and the practical execution required to launch a company.

A key highlight of this year’s event was the introduction of a virtual investment model. Each member of the judging panel was allocated $100,000 in virtual capital, creating a total pool of $500,000 to “invest” in student-led startups. This simulated venture fundraising environment mirrored real-world capital rounds, with the student securing the highest total investment declared the overall winner.

This year’s winner was Larry Harper, a senior pursuing his undergraduate degree in History. His venture, Chapter, integrates AI and traditional tools to improve student engagement and deliver actionable performance data to universities.

“The Shark Tank is one of the Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship’s most valuable initiatives,” Harper said. “Not only does it provide a space for students to socialize and hear other businesses, but it has proven to be the single most important way for students to pitch their ideas, come back again and again, becoming better each time.”

This year’s panel of “Sharks” included Rich Smith, director of Small Business Innovation for Florida Commerce; Tangela Lofton, regional director of the Florida Small Business Development Center; Lonna Peterson, former IT and operations executive; Robert Blacklidge, serial entrepreneur; and Ahmed Negm, Innovation Hub faculty member.

The Student Innovators’ Shark Tank is a signature initiative of the InNOLEvation® Center for Student Engagement, which provides resources and platforms for all FSU students to explore entrepreneurship.

“Competing against such talented and advanced startups at FSU was a blast, and I’m thankful to have been part of it,” said Samir Kanbar, a student majoring in computer science. “Applying what I’m learning in the classroom to real-world projects allows me to see my efforts come to life while building the confidence I need to be ready for my career.”

Through the collaboration of the Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship and the Innovation Hub, FSU continues to support student-led innovation and economic development.

Visit the Innovation Hub and Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship websites for more information.

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The next wave of savvy student entrepreneurs was on display last Friday as five finalists competed in the final round of the 14th annual InNOLEvation Challenge hosted by the Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship. 

Software startup Padly, founded by senior Jacob Tarantelli, was named the winner of the $10,000 first-place prize as well as the People’s Choice Award. Padly facilitates sublets in college towns by connecting students with available housing and leasing offices. 

Tarantelli, who is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in STEM entrepreneurship with a minor in computer science, appreciates how the event provides a platform for taking a passionate idea into a successful startup. 

“The feedback I got from judges and fellow students was immensely valuable,” Tarantelli said. “The Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship has given me the environment and mentorship to turn a personal frustration with student subleasing into a real business, and I’m excited to show everyone what Padly will become because of it. Next up, we are onboarding and getting feedback to expand to more campuses across the Southeast.” 

The InNOLEvation Challenge provides students from all majors and grade levels the opportunity to gain valuable insight into innovation and entrepreneurship. This year’s judging panel heard pitches from five finalists during the new venture competition, which focused on identifying problems and potential solutions, building effective teams, defining the assumptions of a new venture and testing those assumptions in the field. 

Leading into Friday’s final round, the event took place over two semesters with students submitting parts of their business model during the academic year. The finals were held in front of a live audience, giving attendees a glimpse into some of the brightest entrepreneurial minds at FSU. 

Other prize winners in the competition included:  

• Second place: Gear Share by Fernando De Abreu Pires, Bruno del Nero and Gabriel Romanini de Barro. 

• Third place: Kloset Klick by Emma Leav and Katrina Etan. 

• Fourth place: Lithaos by Jephte Moise and Azure Smallwood. 

• Fifth place: OrthoLink by Evan Boudreau. 

To learn more about the Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship InNOLEvation Challenge, visit their website. 

To learn more about Padly, visit rentpadly.com.  

Photos from the 14th annual InNOLEvation Challenge can be found here. 

To learn more about entrepreneurial resources at the Jim Moran College, visit their StartupTree page.

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A Florida State University student in the Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship is turning a lifelong health challenge into a purpose-driven business that serves families with food allergies while shaping her future as an entrepreneur.

Brooke Abbott, a junior majoring in commercial entrepreneurship, grew up in Texas with severe food allergies that often left her searching for answers. Years of discomfort and illness eventually led to a diagnosis that changed everything.

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