We wrapped up our final Speaker Series event of the semester at University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee with an evening full of inspiration and connection! Thank you, Pete Petersen, for sharing your remarkable entrepreneurial journey and the lessons you learned through resilience and relentless effort. Stories like yours remind us why we are so passionate about fostering innovation and entrepreneurship at USF Nault Center for Entrepreneurship. A heartfelt shoutout to the amazing USF Sarasota-Manatee team – Clara Villanueva and Joni L. Jones – and to our supportive board members and esteemed guests, Karen Holbrook, Greg Smogard Diana Michel and Dr. Anila Jain. Your collaboration and presence truly made this event seamless and impactful. Special thanks to our incredible sponsors, Aberdeen Advisors, Inc. and Cyndeo Wealth Partners, for their support. And a big thank you to Pete Frantzis, Matt Kilgroe, Emery Ellinger, and Kimberly Manooshian for your contributions to the event’s success. Here’s to building stronger entrepreneurial communities, one story at a time! University of South Florida Muma College of Business #NaultCenter #SpeakerSeries

📢 Faculty Friday Spotlight 🚀 We are proud to announce that Dr. John Licato, Professor in USF’s Computer Science and Engineering Department, has been awarded the prestigious #USAirForce Research Lab Summer Faculty Fellowship for the THIRD year in a row! 👏 Dr. Licato’s impactful research in artificial intelligence, human reasoning, and legal argumentation is advancing critical military technologies while fostering stronger ties between academia and the U.S. Department of the Air Force. Learn more about his achievements and the fellowship here: https://bit.ly/4fmWRoh As the Founder and Director of USF’s Advancing Machine and Human Reasoning Lab, Dr. Licato’s work is at the forefront of AI innovation, making significant contributions to both academic and military research. 💡 University of South Florida USF Computer Science and Engineering USF Research & Innovation United States Air Force #USFEngineering #AI #usffaculty #engineering #MilitaryResearch #AFRL #FacultyFellowship #Innovation #GoBulls #facultyfriday

We won 2nd place in the 2024 USF Startup Team Challenge Competition! 🏆 This experience was incredible, as we tackled real-world challenges that entrepreneurs face when launching and managing their businesses. We were presented with problems that real founders encounter and developed our own solutions, which were then evaluated by the judges. The competition was fierce, with each round presenting more complex issues. The environment was high-stakes, and as a team, we performed exceptionally well under pressure. A huge shoutout to my teammates Cherish Alston and Alonso Ramirez —we did it! 🔥 #USF Nault Center for Entrepreneurship #entrepreneurs #studententrepreneur #USF #USFStartUpTeamChallenge

Congratulations to USF Research & Innovation Sylvia Wilson Thomas, PhD Sudeep Sarkar Richard Berman Glenn Whichard & Matt Mullarkey on this major accomplishment with the National Science Foundation (NSF) I-Corps (Innovation Corps) program. This will greatly further the advancement of Research, Innovation, & Entrepreneurship at the University of South Florida! University of South Florida Muma College of Business USF Nault Center for Entrepreneurship #innovation #research #entrepreneurship NSF’s I-Corps program aims to prepare scientists and researchers to extend their focus beyond the laboratory through customer discovery, and to broaden the impact of research projects by translating technology into commercial products and processes. Since 2015, USF has been a pivotal player in the NSF I-Corps program, serving as one of the earliest sites in the nation and the largest in Florida. The program has since had a transformative impact, providing 380 teams, including 68 student incubator startups, invaluable experience in commercializing their research. In addition to the student- founded startups, 24 teams started companies and raised a combined $12.5 million in funding.

Super excited to host Pete Petersen, a serial entrepreneur, who will be sharing his secrets to success and his inspiring journey on November 12 at University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee! Don’t miss this incredible opportunity to learn from a true industry powerhouse! Special thanks to our incredible sponsors, Aberdeen Advisors, Inc. Inc. and Cyndeo Wealth Partners, for their support. University of South Florida Muma College of Business

Exciting findings from a global research team, including Amit Jain (AJ) Chauradia from University of South Florida, reveal the power of #microentrepreneurship in empowering rural #women in India. This groundbreaking study demonstrates how supporting women in underserved communities drives significant economic and social transformation. Discover more about their impactful research and insights on the USF website! University of South Florida Muma College of Business

What an incredibly moving evening! One of the most inspirational stories we’ve heard this year, from building a $100M+ company to surviving a near-death experience and navigating life's toughest challenges. We were beyond grateful to hear Marci Wilhelm journey of resilience and courage. Starting from humble beginnings, Marci shared how she arrived in Tampa with just $700 in her bank account, faced challenges like dyslexia and a heart condition, and went on to co-found MedPartners, which eventually sold for $195 million. Her passion for helping others never wavers. A huge thank you to Marci for sharing such an intimate, personal side of her life, inspiring everyone, especially women, to face adversity with grit and grace. Our sincere thanks to Gary Patterson for hosting us at USF St. Petersburg, making this unforgettable evening possible. University of South Florida Muma College of Business #SpeakerSeries #NaultCenter #Women #Leadership

Join us for an exclusive talk with Pete Petersen, former CEO and Managing Partner of Dealers United and Co-founder of BuyerBridge. Pete's expertise in the automotive industry and his experience building platforms that help businesses scale advertising campaigns is sure to inspire! 🙌 Don’t miss the chance to hear Pete’s incredible journey and gain valuable insights for your own path. Register here: https://lnkd.in/eN-Zk83x University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee University of South Florida Muma College of Business #SpeakerSeries #NaultCenter

Catch our past winners, Unique Alston and Cherish Alston sharing their amazing experiences at the Daveler Pitch Competition with the USF Nault Center for Entrepreneurship. The competition is designed to promote entrepreneurship by offering mentorship, resources, and networking opportunities, making it an excellent platform for students aiming to refine their skills and gain real-world experience in pitching and business development.The application deadline is NOV 1st – don’t miss your chance! #DavelerPitchCompetition #NaultCenter University of South Florida Muma College of Business USF St. Petersburg David W. Blackwell, Ph.D. Allen Clary Dirk Libaers Frank Nunez

What an incredibly moving evening! One of the most inspirational stories we’ve heard this year, from building a $100M+ company to surviving a near-death experience and navigating life's toughest challenges. We were beyond grateful to hear Marci Wilhelm journey of resilience and courage. Starting from humble beginnings, Marci shared how she arrived in Tampa with just $700 in her bank account, faced challenges like dyslexia and a heart condition, and went on to co-found MedPartners, which eventually sold for $195 million. Her passion for helping others never wavers. A huge thank you to Marci for sharing such an intimate, personal side of her life, inspiring everyone, especially women, to face adversity with grit and grace. Our sincere thanks to Gary Patterson for hosting us at USF St. Petersburg, making this unforgettable evening possible. University of South Florida Muma College of Business #SpeakerSeries #NaultCenter #Women #Leadership