When Jeff Gold (MBA ’78) started his life after graduating from Northeastern University with his bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering, there were two factors he knew would influence his next steps. One, even after all his schooling, he wasn’t sure he would be a great engineer, and two, he was determined to live somewhere warmer than Boston. Luckily for the Brooklyn, New York-native, Gold was able to expand his engineering background into something more suitable for his skills and interests
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Cocovana wins $25,000 in 2020 Big Idea Competition
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Cocovana won first place at the 2020 Big Idea Gator Business Plan Competition. Founded and led by Sheldon Barrett, Cocovana is a tropical lifestyle company currently focused on creating innovative tools for opening coconuts and other fruits, which promotes a healthier lifestyle and sustainability. Its first product, the Coconut Twist, allows anyone to safely open coconuts in seconds without creating a mess, much like a can opener, but for coconuts. “Winning the Big Idea Competition makes me
Weathering the COVID-19 storm: Tips for small business owners
As the COVID-19 outbreak continues across the globe, small businesses are struggling with its impact. According to a survey by Goldman Sachs, 75% of small business owners said their business has already been impacted by fewer sales, with 51% indicating they will only be able to continue to operate for 0-3 months. “COVID-19 and the variable of the unknown ending has created much upheaval,” said Seyi Falade, Vice President of Gainesville-based Cornerstone Barricades. “Confirmed contracts have been postponed. Current projects
Entrepreneurship students consult with local business owner to revamp marketing efforts and prepare for Guinness World Record attempt
Jill Davis (BSA ’09) has long been passionate about animals. You can see it across her business, non-profit organization and ideas for products that benefit our furry companions. But in the time since the University of Florida alumna and Gainesville Entrepreneurship and Adversity Program participant first started her pet daycare Dogs Rule and her non-profit Animals Helping Humans and Humans Helping Animals (AHHHHA), a lot has changed. Shifting technology has outdated her website and social media platforms have altered the
Driven by passion: How a UF Warrington alumnus conquered his shyness and built a million-dollar business
When Erick Rodriguez (BSBA ’16) first started at the University of Florida, he was a shy kid – in spite of having already sold hundreds of thousands of dollars’ worth of merchandise on eBay, Amazon and Craigslist (including a car). The budding entrepreneur looked down at the ensuing four years and knew that he’d be guided by two crucial values: first, to follow his passion for entrepreneurship, and second, the drive to better himself. These two values, coupled with a
Lokesh, Fracture give back to Warrington
Abhi Lokesh learned about the importance of giving back from his time at the University of Florida. Today, it drives his decision making as the co-founder of Fracture, which specializes in printing photos on glass. Fracture continued its reputation for giving back by donating $50,000 to support UF Warrington’s Social Impact & Sustainability Initiative. “Fracture wouldn’t be here today without Warrington’s focus on social entrepreneurship and the Entrepreneurship and Innovation Center,” Lokesh said. “Those were the things that started this
WHOA GNV Podcast | A degree in entrepreneurship & innovation
Entrepreneurship & Innovation Center Director Jamie Kraft spoke with UF alumni Collin Austin and Michael Dees on the WHOA GNV Podcast about what it means to get a degree in entrepreneurship. Hear what Jamie had to say about the opportunities that UF offers in an entrepreneurial education on the podcast.
Gator Hatchery graduates named to Forbes 2020 Class of 30 Under 30
Samyr Qureshi (BA ’14) and Dennis Hansen (BS ’16), leaders of Knack, which got its start in the Gator Hatchery and was the winner of the 2016 Big Idea Competition, were recently named to Forbes’ 2020 Class of 30 Under 30. The Knack founders, whose website connects college students with others on campus for tutoring and mentoring at a 20% cut, were named to the Education Forbes 30 Under 30 list. See Qureshi and Hansen on the Forbes list and read
Leveraging resources: campus and community
By Jamie Kraft, Director, Entrepreneurship and Innovation Center We have all heard this one before from entrepreneurs: I plan to come up with a cool idea, attract a bunch of money and make a bunch of money! The reality is that this is faulty logic. It is hard enough to come up with product-market fit and even harder to find capital. There is always mom, dad, and Pappy Jasper, but the reality is that it is a long, hard slog…one
Three lessons from entrepreneurs who rode the fantasy sports wave to a $35M valuation
Thomas S. Johnson Master of Science in Entrepreneurship alumnus and Sales Manager at Google Cloud Mark Hall (MSE ’09) recently spoke with fellow MSE alumnus and RotoGrinders Co-Founder Cameron MacMillan (BSAc ’07, MSE ’09) about how he and his co-founders created the daily fantasy sports forum where players can compete and discuss best performing lineups and player performances across multiple sports. Read how MacMillan and team built their company to one with a $35 million valuation and the lessons they