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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The Florida State University Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship (JMC) is ranked as a Top 10 public undergraduate entrepreneurship program according to The Princeton Review’s list of Top Schools for Undergraduate Entrepreneurship Programs of 2026.

The college is also ranked second in the South, second in the state of Florida and 18th overall for undergraduate entrepreneurship programs.

“Students come to Florida State with bold ideas and leave our college with the confidence and skills to bring them to life,” said Susan Fiorito, dean of the Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship.  “We work every day to create an environment where they can experiment, take risks, and learn what it truly means to turn ideas into opportunity. Our standing as a top 10 public undergraduate entrepreneurship program is driven entirely by our students’ accomplishments.”

The Princeton Review evaluates schools based on factors including course offerings, competitions hosted, faculty experience and alumni ventures, among others.

Over the past five years, 531 companies have been launched by JMC graduates, and the college now offers more than 125 entrepreneurship courses. JMC’s six hands-on laboratories, supporting product development and omnichannel merchandising and textile testing allow students to explore entrepreneurship beyond the classroom.

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Florida State University recognized international and domestic participants of the Fulbright Program during a reception Tuesday, Nov. 18, at the Longmire Building. 

Founded in 1946, the Fulbright Program is one of the most widely recognized international academic exchange programs. It aims to increase mutual understanding and support friendly and peaceful relations between the people of the United States and the people of other countries. The U.S. government currently partners with more than 160 countries worldwide. 

FSU has participated in the Fulbright Program since 1951 and has been among the nation’s top producers of both faculty and student awards in recent years. The U.S. State Department’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs recognized Florida State as a top-producing institution of U.S. Fulbright Scholars earlier this year.  

For the 2025-2026 cycle, three current and former FSU students earned scholarships through the prestigious Fulbright U.S. Student Program to conduct research in the U.K., Colombia and Argentina. In addition, four FSU faculty members will travel to teach and conduct research abroad through the Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program in Ireland, Taiwan, Hungary and India.  

On campus, 13 foreign students and scholars from places like Indonesia, Armenia and Uruguay are currently studying or conducting research at FSU through the Foreign Fulbright Program. Twelve students are here through the Fulbright Foreign Student Program, and one researcher is here through the Fulbright Visiting Scholar Program. 

Steve McDowell, FSU’s assistant provost for International Initiatives, presided over the event. FSU Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs James Clark delivered welcoming remarks.  

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Florida State University has announced its 2026 Seminole 100 list, honoring the fastest-growing businesses owned or led by FSU alumni. Representing some of the most dynamic companies in the nation, Seminole 100 celebrates alumni whose innovation and leadership are driving success across industries. 

“These honorees exemplify the entrepreneurial spirit and resilience that define Florida State University,” said FSU President Richard McCullough. “Their accomplishments not only elevate their companies but also inspire the next generation of Florida State Seminoles to dream big and lead boldly.” 

Honorees and their companies will be celebrated on Saturday, Feb. 21, at the Donald L. Tucker Civic Center in Tallahassee. During the event, the ranked list will be revealed, culminating with the announcement of the No. 1 alumni-owned or -led business. 

Global professional services firm EY verified submitted company data and ranked businesses based on their compound annual growth rate over the past three years. 

The 2026 Seminole 100 honorees, listed in alphabetical order, are:   

• 360 Advanced Inc. 

• Abyde 

• Academy Center of the Arts 

• Advanced Systems Design 

• A-LIGN Compliance and Security Inc. 

• Alluvionic Inc. 

• Ardent Eagle Solutions 

• Arris General Contractors Inc. 

• Autumn Beck Blackledge PLLC 

• Bedfellows 

• BenTek 

• Better Body Fitness of Montana Inc. 

• Big Fish Marketing 

• Blue Marlin Insurance 

• BNA Wealth 

• Canopy Management Consulting Group LLC 

• Canopy Road Café 

• Capital Speech and Language Therapy Services 

• Cayside Partners 

• Champions First Credit Union 

• Climate First Bank 

• Cloud Navigator Inc. 

• CND Trucking Inc. 

• Corporate Interiors of Orlando LLC 

• David Scott Lee Automotive 

• DFCU Financial 

• Distinction Agency 

• DKW Consulting LLC 

• Don’t Tell Comedy Inc. 

• Downs & St. Germain Research 

• DSF Promos 

• Earley’s Kitchen 

• eLuminate Marketing 

• Emergency Care Help Organization 

• Equiturn Holdings Inc. 

• ESPMedia Production Co. 

• Excellere IT Services 

• Game Changing Fuel 

• GCM Insurance and Risk Management Advisors LLC 

• Glauser Roofing Services LLC 

• GMF Steel Group 

• Goodwipes 

• Greater Orlando Family Law 

• Hale Law 

• Harvey Books LLC 

• HAWM Law 

• Impact Landscaping & Irrigation LLC 

• Imperial Fence Supply of TN LLC 

• Indelible Solutions 

• Independence Digital 

• Innovations Financial Credit Union 

• Insurance Services of Central Florida Inc. 

• Izquierdo Law Firm P.A. 

• Jets MRO 

• John Douglas Insurance & Financial Services 

• JSM & Associates LLC 

• Kerigan Marketing Associates Inc. 

• Knowli Data Science 

• Kupanda Capital LLC 

• La Luxe Dental PLLC 

• Lucas Bassin Insurance Agency 

• MillCreek Financial Consultants 

• Miller Visions Transportation Group LLC 

• Moisand Fitzgerald Tamayo LLC 

• NL Vision Hockey Group Inc. 

• On Defend LLC 

• OneLife Health & Performance 

• OVID Solutions 

• PFS Signature Wealth 

• Pomeranz Law PLLC 

• Professional Building Services 

• Prosperitus Wealth Advisors 

• Rambana & Ricci PLLC 

• Rapid Business Plans 

• ReEmployAbility Inc. 

• RennWorks LLC 

• Revell Media 

• RF-SMART 

• Robert Nichols Insurance Group Inc. 

• RSA Consulting Group 

• Russell Rowland Inc. 

• Sanchez Fischer Levine LLP 

• Sharity Global 

• Silver Spoon Solutions 

• South Florida Law PLLC 

• Southeast Florida Institute Inc. 

• Southern Spear Properties LLC 

• Southern Wealth 

• SRI Management LLC 

• Tal Search Group Inc. 

• Tampa Bay Wave 

• The Crisis Center of Tampa Bay Inc. 

• The Oaks Apparel Company LLC 

• TriPoint Wealth 

• Trulight LLC 

• Trydent Consulting LLC 

• Tuscaloosa Academy 

• Who We Play For 

• Williams Private Wealth Advisory and Consulting LLC 

• Wise Property Management Inc. 

 The Florida State University Seminole 100 Celebration is presented by the Jim Moran Institute for Global Entrepreneurship in partnership with the FSU Alumni Association.  

To learn more about the Seminole 100 event, including sponsorship opportunities, visit seminole100.fsu.edu.  

 About the Division of University Advancement
The Division of University Advancement works to enhance Florida State University’s leadership, reputation and private financial support in academics, research, service and athletics. The division oversees the FSU Alumni Association and the FSU Foundation. Learn more at advancement.fsu.edu.   

Florida State University Alumni Association reserves the right to verify that the nominees meet the criteria and reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to reject any nominee for any reason. 

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Florida State University and the Jim Moran Institute for Global Entrepreneurship hosted 20 caregivers and family members of military veterans last week as part of its 2023 Entrepreneurship Bootcamp for Veterans’ Families (EBV-F) program.  

The EBV-F program is designed to tap into the resources and infrastructure of higher education to offer cutting-edge, experiential training in entrepreneurship and small business management.   

EBV-F integrates training with caregiver and family issues, helping participants launch and grow a small business in ways that complement or enhance other family responsibilities.   

“We’re so honored to host this fantastic cohort of veteran family members and caregivers,” said Melissa Roberts, Managing Director of the Jim Moran Institute for Global Entrepreneurship. “This impactful program provides entrepreneurs with action planning, management skills, and the educational resources to propel their businesses to the next level.”  

Attendees completed a three-week online portion of the program before traveling to Tallahassee for the weeklong residency. The cohort spent a busy week in workshops and heard from industry professionals about how to make their businesses a success.  

Participants traveled from Arizona, Georgia, Louisiana, Maryland, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Texas, Utah, Virginia and West Virginia.  

Founded in 2012 in partnership with Syracuse University’s D’Aniello Institute for Veteran and Military Families, the EBV-F program at FSU leverages the flexibility inherent in small business ownership to provide a vocational path forward for military family members.  

The program is centered around the Business Model Canvas, which helps startup businesses invest time into building products and services that address the needs of early customers. Other topics offered include digital marketing, leadership, human resources, financial readiness, access to capital, government contracting, entrepreneurial strategy and presentations by guest entrepreneurs from the Tallahassee community. 

Thanks to the generosity of Mrs. Jan Moran and the Jim Moran Foundation, the EBV-F program is offered at no cost to participants. Meals for the week were sponsored by Black Fig and Dave’s Pizza Garage. 

For more information, visit EBV-F.  

About the Entrepreneurship Bootcamp for Veterans’ Families
The Entrepreneurship Bootcamp for Veterans’ Families (EBV-F) is an education and self-employment training program founded in 2010 and expanded to Florida State University in 2012. The EBV-F program is designed to take advantage of the skills, resources and infrastructure of higher education to offer cutting-edge, experiential training in entrepreneurship and small business management. The program leverages the flexibility inherent in small business ownership to provide a vocational path forward for military family members. EBV-F integrates training in entrepreneurship with caregiver and family issues, positioning participants to launch and grow a small business in a way that is complementary or enhancing to other family responsibilities.    

About the Jim Moran Institute 
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 started his business career in Chicago selling soda pop at sandlot baseball games at the age of seven and went on to become one of America’s most 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 to help others become successful entrepreneurs. Since 2011, further enhancements to the Jim Moran Institute and its outreach have been made possible by Jan Moran and The Jim Moran Foundation. 

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