July 2016

There is a significant difference between preparing graduates for their first jobs and preparing graduates for their careers. The base skills needed today are important, but so are the abilities to think critically, to be innovative, and to communicate clearly. (Driscoll, 2015)

The Center for Entrepreneurship (CFE) leadership has been actively engaged with College of Business faculty and community partners to create a culture of entrepreneurial and innovative thinking. We are happy to share some of our successes in this e-newsletter.

Among the achievements is the overwhelming response for the CFE's community workshop being held on August 4, 2016. Dr. Cheryl Kirby of the Florida SBDC Network and serial entrepreneur Quint Studer will share tips to unleash your “inner entrepreneur” and innovate!

Spots are filling quickly, but a few remain. Please make plans to attend the workshop in-person or via live stream. The $49 event fee will translate into valuable professional development and networking opportunities.

Thank you to the CFE partners, including the Florida SBDC Network and the Studer Community Institute, for bringing this workshop to fruition.

We wish you continued innovation success in your organization, and we hope to see you August 4, 2016.

Academic Achievements

Mr. Rick Duke, CFE Founding Director, delivered remarks at the German MBA graduation on June 25, 2016. These students returned to their positions at globally innovative companies like Audi, Evonik, BASF, SAP, Accenture, John Deere, and Google.

The CFE applauds the UWF College of Education and Professional Studies for inviting a creative and entrepreneurial conversation at their Cabinet Meeting on June 28, 2016. Thank you Dean William Crawley.

Rick Duke recently visited colleagues at the University of Florida (UF) to model potential innovation and entrepreneurial offerings at our College of Business. Special thank you to UF's Dr. Jeff Citty of the Innovation Academy and Dr. Michael Morris of the Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship for their valuable insights.

Community Activities

CFE and College of Business strategic engagements have consistently connected early stage companies with faculty expertise.

One recent client is UWF faculty startup Three21Innovations. The company is the first to license university intellectual property (IP) for their exciting mobile application Next Exit History. Company representatives from Pensacola and Montana spoke directly with COB digital marketing, hospitality, and tourism experts.

Rick Duke will join the Florida SBDC Network’s Dr. Cheryl Kirby, along with a representative from Studer Community Institute, on Pensacola Business Radio to discuss the August 4 “Inner Entrepreneur” workshop. Tune in Monday, July 25 at 2pm.

Progress continues on the identification of entrepreneurial ecosystem assets in Northwest Florida. Center Graduate Assistant Jim Sparks gave a project update at a meeting at Techfarms in Panama City. Steve Millaway hosted the event and tour of this important ecosystem asset. As a successful entrepreneur, Steve is giving back to his community and giving a boost to innovation and technology startups.

Upcoming Events

"Companies that embrace creativity are three and a half times more likely to outperform rivals." If your organization is trying to remain competitive, develop new products and services, and fully engage the Millennial generation workforce, join us on Aug. 4 at this workshop, offered by the UWF Center for Entrepreneurship, the Studer Community Institute and the Florida SBDC Network. Doors open at 8:30 a.m., the presentation begins at 9 a.m.

Register to attend the workshop in person, or watch via live stream.
$49 per participant, free for UWF students.

Startup Weekend Pensacola 2016
September 23-25, 2016
UWF Hal Marcus College of
Science and Engineering Building

Students, community members, and aspiring entrepreneurs are encouraged to participate. Look for registration details coming soon.

UWF HMCSE End of Summer Research Symposium
August 5, 2016 10am-12pm
UWF Hal Marcus College of
Science and Engineering Building

Almost 50 posters will highlight the work of science, IT, and engineering undergraduate students. The event is open to the public.