A Florida State University student created a buzz by impressing a panel of judges at the Shark-Tank-style ACC InVenture Prize competition held at the University of Notre Dame.

Hugo Davies, majoring in STEM entrepreneurship with a concentration in computer science, earned the coveted People’s Choice Award at the competition. He received the most votes of any ACC competitor after delivering a dynamic pitch about his artificial intelligence startup called KeyRise. 

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An emerging entrepreneur in Tallahassee was recognized with a national award given to someone who has overcome adversity while demonstrating exceptional leadership, service and commitment to community. 

Lewis Thurston II received the Michael Boyce Award at the inaugural Leon Entrepreneurship and Adversity Program (LEAP) Entrepreneur Spotlight Speaker Series on March 24, hosted by FSU’s Jim Moran Institute for Global Entrepreneurship and Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship. The award honors individuals who overcome adversity while demonstrating exceptional leadership, service, and community commitment. Thurston, a LEAP graduate, also served as the featured speaker. 

The LEAP program in Tallahassee is part of the national Urban Poverty and Business Initiative network, housed at the University of Notre Dame, which spans more than 60 cities across the country. Each year, one entrepreneur from each city is selected for the Michael Boyce Award, which honors a founder who exemplifies Col. Michael H. Boyce’s lifelong commitment to service, leadership and mentorship. 

Thurston’s Tallahassee-based company VEZ Productions provides music and entertainment services for a range of events, contributing to both the local business community and major initiatives such as FSU’s Dance Marathon.  

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From promoting the impact of cutting-edge research to celebrating student success, podcasts at Florida State University have become a staple for sharing information for the FSU community. They offer an accessible medium for digital storytelling, amplifying the voices of students, staff and faculty. 

FSU colleges and departments host a variety of podcasts pulling stories and experts from across the university. The diverse range of podcasts means that there is something for every listener to tune into, whether they are a student, staff member or alumni. Here are a few examples of the FSU podcasts available:

Nole Edge  

The College of Arts and Sciences produces “Nole Edge,” connecting listeners with the stories of students, faculty, alumni and researchers whose work is changing the way we view the world. 

Host Amy Walden, the college’s assistant director of visual and social media, has explored topics such as what happens in the human brain during sleep and how that protects against Alzheimer’s disease, the ethics of moral injury, FSU’s immersive language houses and more. Now in its fourth season, episodes are available on the college’s YouTube channel. 

“Nole Edge” has created a unique space to share the stories and perspectives of the outstanding researchers, faculty, students and world-renowned lecturers that make Florida State such a special place,” Walden said. “Because the FSU College of Arts and Sciences is home to the natural sciences and humanities, every topic and conversation on the podcast is a new adventure. We strive for our listeners, no matter their area of interest or level of expertise, to walk away from each episode with fresh knowledge.” 

InNOLEvation® Mindset Podcast  

“The InNOLEvation® Mindset Podcast” with host Mark McNees from the FSU Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship highlights student and alumni entrepreneurs and innovators from FSU. 

Guests include the next generation of young business leaders sharing what they’re learning as they build companies from the ground up, FSU faculty with key insights into entrepreneurship, and alumni making their mark. “InNOLEvation Mindset” can be found on the website for FSU’s Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship and is also available on YouTube. 

 “InNOLEvation® Mindset started as a way to give FSU’s entrepreneurs a platform, but it has evolved into something bigger,” McNees said. “We’re now having conversations with energy finance leaders, sustainability innovators and business founders whose work is reshaping entire industries. The podcast gives the Jim Moran College a front-row seat to those conversations, and our listeners, whether they’re students, executives, or policymakers, walk away with insights they can actually use.” 

Coach Talk  

“Coach Talk” was created by Timothy Baghurst, director of the FSU Center for Athletic Coaching. Each episode connects the classroom with the field, featuring guests from the sports industry, including coaches, athletic directors, team owners and more. Episodes of “Coach Talk” can be found streaming online on platforms such as Spotify.   

 “Listeners gain a deeper understanding of coaching practices, decision-making and the realities of working in sports, drawing practical, evidence-based lessons from the show,” Baghurst said. “‘Coach Talk’ offers an inside perspective on the knowledge and experiences that shape sports today.” 

More FSU podcasts 

There is a podcast for every listener, each one exploring another facet of the FSU community. 

The College of Medicine produces “Faculty Forward” to provide insight, strategies and professional advice to medical school and health sciences faculty. Each episode features experts and educators from FSU, focusing on topics for faculty success in the classroom and the clinic. Episodes of “Faculty Forward” can be found on the website for FSU’s College of Medicine.   

“FSU COMMversation” is a student-run podcast highlighting students, professors and alumni from FSU’s School of Communication in the College of Communication and Information. Each episode highlights the accomplishments of its guests, which allows other students, professors, and alumni to stay informed and connected with the communications world. “FSU COMMversation” can be found on all streaming platforms online.   

“Seminole Sports” is hosted by Jeff Culhane, the director of broadcasting for the Seminole Sports Network. Culhane is joined by Seminole coaches and players as he breaks down current news and events in FSU sports. Listeners can tune into “Seminole Sports” from the Seminole Boosters website.  

“Connect with VP Amy Hecht” dives into new topics about programs and opportunities at FSU. Vice President for Student Affairs Amy Hecht highlights a new guest in each episode and discusses frequently asked questions from students, parents and future Seminoles. Listeners can find episodes of “Connect with VP Amy Hecht” on FSU’s website for the Division of Student Affairs.

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Florida State University’s Susana Santos, the Jim Moran Associate Professor of Entrepreneurship at the Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship, has been inducted as a Justin G. Longenecker Fellow of the United States Association for Small Business and Entrepreneurship (USASBE) — one of the highest honors in the field of entrepreneurship.

Induction into the Longenecker Fellows recognizes individuals who have demonstrated sustained excellence in entrepreneurship education, research and service, and whose careers have made a lasting impact on the discipline. Admission is highly competitive and by nomination only, with each fellow having made sustained contributions that advance both entrepreneurship scholarship and practice.

Santos was nominated by Michael Morris of the University of Notre Dame, who highlighted her record of leadership and service to USASBE, including roles as a board member, conference chair, editor and doctoral program leader. He also underscored her scholarly contributions, particularly her research examining how entrepreneurship can help uplift communities and combat poverty through sustainable economic development.

“Dr. Santos exemplifies the spirit of the Longenecker Fellows,” said Jeff Hornsby, chair of the Fellows and professor at the University of Missouri Kansas City. “Her scholarship advances a global dialogue on the role of entrepreneurship in addressing poverty, while her leadership within USASBE has strengthened our community and helped shape the next generation of entrepreneurship scholars. She has made a lasting and meaningful impact on our field.”

Santos’ research focuses on poverty alleviation, community-level entrepreneurship and inclusive innovation, contributing to a deeper understanding of how entrepreneurial activity can serve as a mechanism for social and economic mobility. Her work has been published in leading academic journals and informs both policy and practice across diverse global contexts.

“We are incredibly proud to see Dr. Santos recognized as a Longenecker Fellow, one of the highest honors in entrepreneurship education,” said Susan Fiorito, dean of the Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship. “Her dedication to research, teaching and service exemplifies the excellence of our faculty and reflects the Jim Moran College’s commitment to advancing entrepreneurship that creates real and lasting impact.”

“We are incredibly proud to see Dr. Santos recognized as a Longenecker Fellow, one of the highest honors in entrepreneurship education. Her dedication to research, teaching and service exemplifies the excellence of our faculty and reflects the Jim Moran College’s commitment to advancing entrepreneurship that creates real and lasting impact.”

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

Morris reflected on Santos’ leadership within the USASBE and the impactful research she provides.

“Susana’s career has been defined by intellectual rigor and purposeful impact,” Morris added. “She is a thought leader whose work pushes us to rethink how entrepreneurship functions in contexts of poverty and disadvantage, and her leadership within USASBE has strengthened the infrastructure that supports entrepreneurship education worldwide. She is profoundly deserving of this honor.”

Santos becomes the third FSU faculty member inducted as a Longenecker Fellow. Eric Liguori, Jim Moran Professor and Associate Dean, was inducted in 2021, and Wendy Plant, retired executive director of the Jim Moran Institute for Global Entrepreneurship, was inducted in 2024.

The honor further underscores FSU’s leadership in entrepreneurship education and scholarship, and the Jim Moran College’s growing influence in shaping the global conversation around entrepreneurship as a force for economic development and impact.

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Florida State University is shaping the future of teaching, learning and living with artificial intelligence (AI) through international initiatives, including a recent program in Thailand where an FSU faculty member explored how AI is transforming entrepreneurship, education and small business development across the Indo-Pacific region. 

Eric Liguori, Jim Moran Professor and associate dean for research and external relations in the Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship at FSU, served as lead moderator and facilitator for “Entrepreneurship in the Age of AI,” a two-day forum held Dec. 9-10 in Phuket, Thailand, that brought together more than 40 educators, policymakers, entrepreneurs and innovation leaders from the U.S. and countries across Asia-Pacific. 

Participants explored how AI and emerging digital technologies are redefining entrepreneurship education, enabling small and medium-sized enterprises to scale, and opening new pathways for U.S.-Indo-Pacific collaboration. The program also emphasized the role of education systems in preparing learners across disciplines to work effectively and responsibly alongside intelligent technologies. 

As lead moderator and facilitator, Liguori guided discussions on AI readiness, entrepreneurship education, workforce transformation and small business innovation. Sessions combined expert keynotes, policy roundtables and hands-on breakout groups focused on AI governance, talent development and access to capital. 

“Artificial intelligence is changing not just what entrepreneurs do, but how quickly they need to learn, adapt and make decisions,” Liguori said. “This program was designed to help educators and ecosystem leaders think beyond tools and focus on building entrepreneurial mindsets that allow individuals and organizations to navigate uncertainty responsibly and creatively.” 

Susan Fiorito, dean of the Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship, said the program reflects Florida State’s growing global leadership at the intersection of entrepreneurship and emerging technologies. 

“FSU is uniquely positioned to contribute to these global conversations because of our deep expertise in entrepreneurship education and our commitment to real-world impact,” Fiorito said. “Eric’s leadership in this program highlights how our faculty are shaping international dialogue on innovation, workforce readiness and economic development.” 

The forum concluded with delegates outlining a confidential framework focused on AI education, subject matter expert (SME) innovation and cross-border digital collaboration between the U.S. and Indo-Pacific countries. The initiative aims to enhance geopolitical competitiveness while establishing practical pathways for shared and sustainable growth. 

The program was administered by World Learning, an international education institution delivering programs in more than 150 countries worldwide. It was funded by the U.S. Department of State as part of its broader efforts to strengthen international collaboration, workforce readiness and economic resilience through education and entrepreneurship. 

The initiative aligns with FSU’s broader engagement in global education, public-private partnerships and research-informed approaches to entrepreneurship and innovation. 

At FSU, AI efforts are faculty-led and driven by the university’s commitment to student success. Faculty and staff on multiple campus committees are charged with developing best practices, policies and guidelines to ensure FSU’s faculty, staff and students have access to the latest AI technologies and are equipped with the skills they need to use AI effectively and ethically in the classroom, on campus and beyond.  

For more information about the Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship at FSU, visit jimmorancollege.fsu.edu. To learn more information on AI initiatives at FSU, visit ai.fsu.edu. For more information about FSU’s global footprint, visit global.fsu.edu. 

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Florida State University’s Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship (JMC) is celebrating a milestone as the first cohort of graduates completes its Master of Science in entrepreneurship with a major in creative arts entrepreneurship.

The innovative program represents a significant step forward in interdisciplinary arts education at FSU, bringing together resources from the College of Music, the College of Fine Arts and the College of Motion Picture Arts to support creators who want to strengthen their entrepreneurial skills.

The program is designed for experienced creatives who want to enhance their professional practice by adding entrepreneurial strategy and business insight. Students will complete online courses, providing flexibility for those already working in their field. Cohorts typically include individuals who specialize in fields such as music, film, visual and performing arts or creative writing.

“As someone who is working full time but wanted to continue their education, the Creative Arts master’s program allows me the flexibility to learn valuable skills in my current career and beyond,” says Evan Eisenstark, who works full time as a social media specialist at FSU. “Being a part of the Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship has also given me the opportunity to meet and learn from other entrepreneurs and take the steps to one day start my own venture.”

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Florida State University’s Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship celebrated five rising young entrepreneurs at its reimagined 5 Under 30 event held Thursday, Feb. 19, at the Jim Moran Building in downtown Tallahassee.

Formerly known as 7 Under 30, this signature event returned with a refreshed format but the same mission: to spotlight driven innovators who launched their own ventures before the age of 30. Open to students, faculty, staff, alumni and the Tallahassee community, the program invited attendees to hear firsthand from founders turning ideas into impact.

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Florida State University’s Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship is launching a new Veteran Entrepreneurship Certificate Program in Leon County, offering free, hands-on entrepreneurship training for veterans, service members and military-connected families. The program is delivered in partnership with Veterans Florida and is based in Tallahassee.

The Tallahassee-based cohort will run for six weeks, and space is limited. The program will meet from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 18; from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 25; and will continue Wednesdays from 6-8 p.m. April 29 through May 20.

The program will focus on business modeling, customer discovery and market validation. Participants will work through a structured curriculum designed to help them test ideas, refine business models and build a strong foundation for sustainable growth.

“Veterans bring discipline, leadership and problem-solving skills that translate naturally into entrepreneurship,” said Eric Liguori, associate dean for research and external relations in the Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship. “This program is about meeting veterans where they are, providing practical tools and surrounding them with a community that helps turn ideas into viable businesses.”

“This program is about meeting veterans where they are, providing practical tools and surrounding them with a community that helps turn ideas into viable businesses.”

– Eric Liguori, Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship

The Leon County program builds on FSU’s longstanding commitment to serving veterans and military-connected families. FSU is designated as a Florida Purple Star Campus and is consistently recognized among the nation’s most veteran-friendly universities.

“This partnership with Veterans Florida allows us to extend FSU’s impact beyond the classroom and directly into the Tallahassee community,” said Susan Fiorito, dean of the Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship. “By combining high-quality entrepreneurship education with strong local partnerships, we are creating pathways for long-term economic opportunity for veterans and their families.”

Program registration is now open. Interested attendees may apply at the Veteran Entrepreneurship Certificate Program application page.

Participants who complete the program will receive a certificate of completion from the Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship and become eligible to join the Jim Moran Institute for Global Entrepreneurship’s statewide alumni network of more than 2,700 Florida business owners.

The Leon County program is part of a broader initiative that also includes a companion Veteran Entrepreneurship Certificate Program in Bay County (Panama City). Additional details about the Bay County program are available at the program’s web page.

The program is delivered in partnership with Veterans Florida, whose mission is to help veterans transition successfully into civilian life through education, entrepreneurship and workforce training.

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The Jim Moran Institute for Global Entrepreneurship, housed in Florida State University’s Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship, is accepting applications for its Fall 2026 Small Business Executive Program (SBEP) held in South Florida.

Offered at no cost to participants, the programs are funded by The Jim Moran Foundation, Jan Moran and her late husband, automotive pioneer Jim Moran. The deadline is Tuesday, March 31. Applications can be submitted online at the Jim Moran Institute programs website.

“Business owners wear many hats. In addition to day-to-day operations, they’re often tasked with managing sales, marketing, accounting, and more,” said Jennifer Kovach, director of the Jim Moran Institute’s South Florida region. “Our Small Business Executive Program helps leaders learn to manage these responsibilities and lead their organizations more strategically, efficiently and successfully for long-term growth.”

The SBEP is designed for CEOs, entrepreneurs, business owners and presidents of small businesses. Graduates emerge with the skills and training needed to turn challenges into strategic advantages, capitalize on business opportunities and implement best practice management. Since the SBEP’s inception in 2013, the South Florida team has guided and graduated 52 classes and more than 800 leaders representing a variety of industries.

The program is another chance for aspiring entrepreneurs to learn from some of the top performers in the industry.

“Why not invest in yourself and your business?” Kovach added. “Our no-cost program pairs you with other entrepreneurs and small business experts who share real-world examples and practical strategies to help take your company to the next level.”

SBEP consists of nine sessions, each focusing on a specific aspect of growing and managing a business. Starting in July and running through November, the fall 2026 sessions are held once every two weeks from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Broward County.

Applicants must be the key decision-maker and actively involved in running their organization. Their company must have been established for at least three years and have three or more employees or volunteers. Program graduates receive a certificate of completion and can participate in an ongoing peer roundtable. They are also encouraged to participate in workshops, conferences and other Jim Moran Institute events.

To apply for the Fall 2026 SBEP, visit the institute’s programs website. For more information or to learn more about the Jim Moran Institute’s South Florida programs, contact southflorida@jimmoraninstitute.fsu.edu, call 954-546-2735 or visit jimmoraninstitute.fsu.edu.

About the Jim Moran Institute for Global Entrepreneurship

The Jim Moran Institute for Global Entrepreneurship cultivates, trains and inspires entrepreneurial leaders through world-class executive education, applied training, public recognition, and leading-edge research.

Jim Moran was an automotive pioneer and an entrepreneur at heart, who at the age of 7, sold soda pop at sandlot baseball games in Chicago. With a career that spanned more than six decades, he built an amazing chronicle of achievements in the automobile industry.

His vision for the Jim Moran Institute was to provide opportunities that would help others become more successful business owners. A 1995 contribution from Jim and Jan Moran and JM Family Enterprises established the Jim Moran Institute for Global Entrepreneurship at the Florida State University College of Business. Since 2011, further enhancements to the Jim Moran Institute and its outreach have been made possible by Jan Moran and The Jim Moran Foundation. In 2023, the Jim Moran Institute transitioned to the Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship.

For more information, visit jimmoraninstitute.fsu.edu.

About the South Florida Operations

The Jim Moran Institute’s South Florida office serves entrepreneurs, business owners and nonprofit leaders in the South Florida community through multiple programs designed to take advantage of local resources. Providing executive education and leveraging the resources of the Jim Moran Institute, the South Florida team helps its clients’ businesses – and the region’s economy – grow and prosper.

Based in Fort Lauderdale, South Florida services are for for-profit and nonprofit businesses and are geared toward CEOs, entrepreneurs, business owners, and presidents whose companies have been established for at least three years and have three or more employees. Services are provided for little to no cost. For those outside of South Florida, the Jim Moran Institute also has offices in Jacksonville, Tallahassee and Tampa Bay.

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Florida State University is helping shape the future of entrepreneurship around the globe through a collaboration in Armenia that connects students, faculty and innovators across continents.  

The Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship and Learning Systems Institute (LSI) at FSU are implementing the project in partnership with the Armenian State University of Economics (ASUE), the second-largest university in Armenia. Funded by the U.S. Department of State and led by Susana Santos, Jim Moran Associate Professor of Entrepreneurship, the project aims to foster innovation and global connections through STEM and social entrepreneurship initiatives. 

One of those initiatives is a Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) project that connects FSU students with students at ASUE through shared coursework, virtual collaboration and design-thinking-based projects. COIL allows professors and students to use technology to engage with their peers at universities around the globe. 

The COIL project was implemented in Jim Moran Assistant Professor of Entrepreneurship Juliana Binhote’s LDR 2325-Leadership & Empowerment course. Binhote’s students collaborated with students taking a course taught by Hermine Poghsyan, senior marketing lecturer at ASUE. Ten teams of ASUE and FSU students worked across the nine-hour time difference between Tallahassee and Armenia to develop entrepreneurial solutions focused on education, sustainability and social impact. 

Morgan Baber, a freshman majoring in commercial entrepreneurship, had never participated in a COIL project before taking Binhote’s course. Her group collaborated with ASUE students on a project focused on helping educational institutions have structured and practical ways to ensure that technology enhances learning.  

“We saw the problem of students struggling to maintain focus because of the digital distraction,” she said. “We wanted to create a system that helps teachers monitor the technology and create a fun learning environment for students to engage with helpful tools of technology.” 

Baber said the experience strengthened her communication skills. Some of the students at ASUE didn’t speak English, and scheduling was difficult due to the time difference. Despite this, Baber was impressed by the ASUE students’ work ethic, noting that the way they organized each project made her want to do her best.  

“It was a great experience collaborating with students across the world,” she said. “I really believe this is the kind of project that every student should be able to partake in.” 

The 10 student teams presented their results to ASUE and FSU faculty. The team Eco Points was recognized for its solution that makes waste and plastic sorting rewarding, engaging and accessible. 

The COIL project was developed by Vilma Fuentes, an associate in research at LSI who serves as program director of FSU’s Ukraine Task Force and as co-principal investigator on the overall project, with multimedia support from Robert Lengancher, an associate in research at LSI. The collaboration marks a significant step in building Armenia’s next generation of entrepreneurs while giving FSU students hands-on experience in global, cross-cultural problem solving. 

“Our COIL project is already promoting entrepreneurial thinking through design thinking and virtual collaboration between American and Armenian students,” Fuentes said. “The business presentations at S212 were an indicator of the progress we have made through the first phase of COIL.” 

The first phase of the collaborative project between FSU and ASUE concluded in December 2025 with the establishment of a STEM Social Innovators Incubator (S2I2) at ASUE. S2I2 is a project-based learning environment that integrates scientific innovation, social entrepreneurship and global collaboration to support students in developing entrepreneurial mindsets while addressing real-world challenges through interdisciplinary teamwork and applied problem solving. 

“In its very first semester of operation, the S2I2 Entrepreneurship Center proved that the combination of international experience and efforts aimed at developing local potential can foster a new generation of entrepreneurs with knowledge, ideas and the potential for real success,” said Grisha Amirkhanayn, head of ASUE’s Division of Professional Development and Innovations.  

Amirkhanayn visited FSU’s Tallahassee campus in September along with Lusine Danielyan, director of ASUE’s Internationalization, Development and Partnerships Department, to continue working on the collaboration. 

Building on this momentum, S2I2 has already launched a new slate of dynamic educational initiatives, trainings, and open classes this semester for aspiring entrepreneurs, as ASUE advances its mission to expand access to innovative STEM and social entrepreneurship education for its students. 

“Your success is the success of our university,” ASUE Rector Armen Grigoryan told the group. “Have confidence in your abilities, think globally, develop courage, and go to win, whether in Armenia or beyond its borders. If dozens of students with this mindset enter the labor market every year, we will have a stronger society. Go and inspire your classmates as well, so that there are more ‘door-opening’ people here.” 

LSI strives to lead the way in creating innovative educational solutions that seamlessly connect theory with practice. Through advanced research, we develop industry-leading methods and implementation strategies to enhance systematic learning at all levels and in all environments. For more than five decades, LSI has been committed to driving measurable improvements in the performance of both individuals and organizations. 

The Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship is the nation’s first standalone College of Entrepreneurship. The college aims to spread entrepreneurship across FSU’s campus and serve all students through collaborative programs, competitions, resources, and more. JMC offers students three undergraduate majors, five graduate majors, 10 minors and extracurricular opportunities to inspire innovation, instill compassion and ignite an entrepreneurial mindset in the next generation of leaders. 

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“The addition of this new program is part of an overall expansion to match career paths in the rapidly changing music industry,” said Greg Jones, associate dean of the college. “Our partnership with the Herbert Wertheim College of Business, the Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship and industry collaborators is vital for building bridges to career opportunities for our students. Flexible degree programs combined with professional mentorship across the spectrum offer FSU students exciting opportunities in traditional and emerging job markets.” 

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The Jim Moran Institute for Global Entrepreneurship at Florida State University (JMI) is expanding its statewide impact by launching its first-ever program in the Panama City area.

For more than two decades, JMI has served small business owners and nonprofit leaders across Tallahassee and the rest of Florida. The institute is now bringing its proven executive education model to Panama City in the spring 2026, launching its inaugural Panama City Small Business Executive Program (SBEP Class I).

Small Business Executive Program (SBEP) – Panama City

JMI will offer the Panama City Small Business Executive Program as part of its commitment to supporting Northwest Florida’s small business community. This no-cost program is designed for CEOs and presidents of small businesses seeking to sharpen their strategic thinking, enhance performance and develop sustainable growth plans.

Participants will gain:

• Tools to strengthen strategic decision-making.
• Guidance to enhance overall business performance.
• A long-term individualized growth plan.
• Access to a robust network of fellow business leaders, mentors and JMI alumni.

Panama City SBEP Class I (Spring 2026) Key Dates:

• Applications Due: March 11, 2026.
• Notice of Acceptance: March 18, 2026.
• Program Sessions: April 1–29, 2026 (five sessions).

For more information about the program curriculum, application process and schedule, please visit the SBEP Panama City website.

As JMI continues to expand its reach across Northwest Florida, the launch of the SBEP in Panama City marks a significant milestone, bringing world-class, no-cost entrepreneurial education to a new region while building on decades of service to business owners across the state.

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