2 Champions and aspiring members of South Florida’s innovation ecosystem recently toasted the one-year anniversary of a landmark destination for entrepreneurs. Established through a joint nonprofit venture between Nova Southeastern University (NSU) and Broward County, the nonprofit hub occupies the entire top floor of one of Florida’s largest public libraries and has been dubbed The World’s First Theme Park for Entrepreneurs™. Named for a university trustee and the only businessperson in New York Stock Exchange history to ring the opening and closing bells on the same day, the Alan B. Levan | NSU Broward Center of Innovation (Levan Center of Innovation) serves as a docking station for local entre- preneurs, as well as enterprises based internationally. There are no silos, as an “all-hands-on-deck” attitude prevails among a lean staff of six supported by a legion of community advisers, members, and sponsors; volunteer program facilitators and service providers; and regional, national, and international networks. Government grants, philanthropic foundations, and individuals also help fund resources needed for innovators across myriad industries to build the “tomorrowland” of their dreams. Cohorts who gain entry into one of the Levan Center of Innovation’s four core programs are in for the rides of their lives. Their badge is a fast pass to 54,000 square feet of entrepreneurial immersion space and special access to top business minds. An inclusive selection process welcomes a wide range of entrepreneurs. THERESA GRANDAL CUSSE, M.S. Assistant Executive Director, Administration and Operations, Alan B. Levan | NSU Broward Center of Innovation BERNADETTE BRUCE, M.B.A. Executive Director, NSU Printing and Publications JOHN WENSVEEN, PH.D. Chief Innovation Officer, NSU, and Executive Director, the Alan B. Levan | NSU Broward Center of Innovation BY THE NUMBERS ONE YEAR LATER 1 year 3 country desk partnerships between a university and a government 54,000 square feet of entrepreneurial immersion space 1 global award 7 ideate cycles 7 incubate cycles 6 accelerate cycles 100+ graduates $6 million in start-up investment 425 new jobs 150 special events 10,000 visitors 10/2023 post-accelerate cohort begins ALAN B. LEVAN | NSU BROWARD CENTER OF INNOVATION
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