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FloridaWorks News

FloridaWorks congratulates the University of Florida for reaching the finals in the University Economic Development Association’s 2011 Award of Excellence competition in the Innovation and Entrepreneurship category with their collaborative Startup Quest entrepreneurial training program for out-of-work professionals. Participants of the University Economic Development Association’s Annual Summit will select a final winner during Oct. 9-12 in Indianapolis at the UEDA Annual Summit.  This is another example of successful workforce investment in the people part of economic development.
In partnership with the University of Florida Tech Connect program, FloridaWorks, the local workforce investment board in Gainesville, Florida, funded Startup Quest through a grant from Workforce Florida, the state workforce board, specifically to train unemployed participants with college degrees. The training provided 123 professionals with the opportunity to learn about the concepts and processes necessary to start a technology company.  83 of the participants achieved the prerequisites to work in 13 different teams with a successful mentor/CEO over an 8-week span and created a business plan around preselected licensable UF technology awaiting commercialization.  Startup Quest ended with an investor pitch and business plan presentation to a panel of 12 early stage investor judges.

As of September 8th, 20 participants have become employed, 2 companies have incorporated, and several other participants are working towards incorporating their businesses.  The full results of the program will continue to unfold, as will plans to replicate the program. Outcomes are promising with more people now qualified and knowledgeable in startup management who can help create more companies as well as be hired in existing firms and contribute to their success.

Startup Quest came to fruition because of the unique partnership between FloridaWorks, UF Tech Connect, The Gainesville Area Chamber of Commerce and the local business community, another example of the community-wide Innovation Gainesville initiative.

“While many of the outcomes will take some time to become measurable, we know from the evaluations that participants found the training extremely valuable,” UF Tech Connect Director Jane Muir said. “The university is currently considering the formation of several new startups.”

For more information, please contact FloridaWorks’ Communications and Outreach Coordinator, Lindsey Hicks at 352.244.5174 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .