Programs & Events

Digital Strategies Simplified for Startups & Entrepreneurs
This workshop is designed to adapt to participants’ specific needs and interests. Each workshop consists of a preparatory survey, custom resource document, 2-hour introductory session, online community discussion platform, and a follow-up session to address questions related to participants’ goals and experience. Workshops will be hands-on and participatory, so come ready to make real progress on your goals! Learn more about the Fall 2020 Workshop Series here.

Helping Entrepreneurs Chart Their Course for Launching or Growing Early Stage Ventures

StartUp Roadmap is for those who interested in or working on launching a growth-oriented, scalable venture. The course is based on the internationally recognized Wendy Kennedy Curriculum and is augmented with mentoring and networking for maximum impact. StartUp Roadmap is also designed to provide next-stage training for EWITS graduates interested in starting their own companies. Open to all.  Learn more here.

EWITS®  is a hands-on experiential learning program that empowers participants with foundational business and leadership skills to advance their careers. Participants from various disciplines work with guided mentorship as part of a team — researching and understanding a real technology, writing a business plan, developing an investor pitch and going through a simulated exercise of creating a company. Launched in 2012, EWITS has developed a strong alumni network of past participants, mentors, speakers, and supporters. The program has received national recognition, including being named by the Institute for Women’s Policy Research (IWPR) as one of the leading programs in the country making an impact on gender innovation.

Held Once Annually During Spring Semester
The SBIR/STTR initiatives are federally-funded grant programs that support scientific excellence and technological innovation through the investment of federal research for early-stage R&D via agencies including the NIH, NSF, DOD, DOE, and others. This full-day SBIR/STTR proposal- preparation workshop will teach participants how to garner proof-of-concept funding to enable them to further develop their technologies into marketable products. The workshop begins with an overview of the programs and then takes you through a simple but comprehensive four-step process for developing a credible and competitive Phase 1 (up to $150,000) proposal. The day concludes with an overview of Phase 2 of the programs, with tips for companies preparing Phase 2 (up to $1 million) proposals.  To be notified about upcoming SBIR/STTR workshops, please complete the notification form.

The SBIR Assistance Program seeks to increase overall success rates for UF women researchers applying for competitively awarded Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) or Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) grants.  SBIR/STTR grants support scientific excellence and technological innovation through the investment of federal research for early-stage R&D.
Criteria: UF female-identifying faculty, staff and students (graduate-level or higher) who have not previously won SBIR/STTR award.  Apply here.

Designed for women who have a company or are working on launching a startup, the Collaboratory Membership program provides mentoring, coaching, strategic business guidance, resources, and general support. Assistance with developing business plans, investor pitches, targeting customers, market research setting up your business, marketing, networking and much more.
Criteria: Women and female-identifying individuals who currently have an active company with growth potential or are working on launching a company. Apply here.

WeRISE is a 12-week program that focuses on continuing entrepreneurial training, nurturing positive momentum, providing individualized support, increasing access to experts, and creating a strong sense of community among participants. WeRISE was developed in partnership with the UF College of Engineering as a follow-up program to their Entrepreneurial Diversity and Information (EDIT) program. EDIT works with under-served minorities of east Gainesville to support the launch of small-business ideas by pairing participants with teams of students, led by a project manager, to work with the entrepreneurs to develop technology prototypes.

The Collaboratory runs Master Mind cohorts for female founders to connect and learn.