Broward College Introduces Innovation Hub

FORT LAUDERDALE, FL (Jan. 15, 2015) – Broward College officials introduced today its new business incubator, the Innovation Hub at Broward College, at an open house on its Cypress Creek location. As part of the event, the College celebrated its partnership with the Fort Lauderdale Strikers, who will be collaborating with the incubator as they seek innovative solutions in sports business. Brazilian soccer legend Ronaldo, who is a part-owner of the Strikers, joined Broward College officials, along with Director of the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity Jesse Panuccio and other local business leaders for a tour of the business incubator and discussion on possible opportunities.

“The Broward College Innovation Hub has so much to offer to the community and is certain to have a local economic impact,” said Broward College President J. David Armstrong, Jr. “This facility will be a great opportunity to encourage the exchange of ideas, attract and retain talent for local start-up companies, and foster leadership and individual empowerment.” 

The 5,400 square-foot Innovation Hub at Broward College is designed to be a mixed use business incubator, focused on housing a dynamic community of entrepreneurs, start-ups, mentors, advisors and investors, and serving as a one-stop resource for business owners, innovators and committed individuals pursuing their entrepreneurial ambitions. It will offer access to mentors – through Broward College’s collaborative partnerships with Broward SCORE, the Small Business Development Center and the Enterprise Development Corporation – as well as angel investors, including New World Angels. There will be seminars and workshops on various business topics focused on specific skills helpful to startup companies that will also be open to the public for a fee. This fee may be discounted or waived depending on the course and workshop. Through this intermingling of individuals and resources, the Innovation Hub seeks to serve as a business ecosystem that fosters efficiency and innovation.

The Innovation Hub offers several private individual offices, a shared co-working space, two small conference or mentoring rooms, as well as a fully equipped audio and video training or seminar room, which converts into two large board rooms with separate A/V capabilities. It also features 100Mps fiber broadband access hardwired Wi-Fi throughout the facility.

The business incubator will provide opportunities for close collaborations with Broward College faculty, staff and students. Professors will work with their students and incubated companies on market research, branding, operations, financial planning and other business needs. Companies in the incubator will also be able to post internship opportunities for qualified students to fill them.

A portion of the Innovation Hub will be dedicated to sports-related startups as part of a collaboration with the Fort Lauderdale Strikers. In addition to the benefits offered by the Innovation Hub at Broward College, these startups will receive mentorship from Strikers staff and have the opportunity to pilot their ideas on the Strikers’ stadium, fans and athletes. Accepted startups will provide innovative solutions to improve athletic performance, enhance fan experience, build sustainable and smart stadiums, and better engage the local community through media and broadcasting.

"Ronaldo, Ricardo, and I, along with the rest of the Fort Lauderdale Strikers ownership and staff, are honored and thrilled to collaborate with Broward College on this initiative,” said Strikers Co-Managing Partner Madison Stanford. “The Fort Lauderdale Strikers are passionate about entrepreneurship and innovation, and we know that Broward College is the right ally for us to succeed in attracting and building strong businesses to partner with the Strikers.”

This program is now closed.