Event Type : Community

The fall cohort of the NSF I-Corps at UF Regional Course meets six Thursdays from 12:30-3:30 p.m. starting September 24. In this program, researchers, entrepreneurs, industry professionals, and companies learn to transform innovations into market-ready solutions through the proven I-Corps customer discovery process. Participants will benefit from tailored mentorship by experienced industry experts, gaining critical insights into market demands and customer needs to refine their technologies for real-world applications.

The virtual six-week regional course will be held on Thursdays this Spring from 12:30-3:30 p.m. on the following days:

September 24

October 1, 8, 15, and 29

November 5

To participate, apply by Friday, August 28. If you missed the August 28 application deadline, get the details on the next regional course here. Those who have been accepted into the spring cohort will have received instructions on how to access the course. Email NSF I-Corps at UF with any questions.

Seminar at UF Innovate | Sid Martin

Join us for a special keynote conversation with Patric Young as part of UF Innovate | Tech Licensing’s annual Standing InnOvation event on October 21 in the Reitz Union Rion Ballroom. Registration is free but required to attend. Seats are limited.

In this keynote session, “The Florida Way Forward,” Patric shares his inspiring journey of resilience, perseverance, and purpose. Innovators, entrepreneurs, and anyone who wants more motivation and direction should join us for the fireside chat, audience Q&A, and book signing. RSVP here.

The Florida Way Forward With Patric Young
Wednesday, October 21
2 – 3:30 PM
Reitz Union Rion Ballroom

Patric is a former Florida Gator standout (2010-2014), professional basketball player, and current ESPN SEC Network analyst whose life changed after an accident left him paralyzed from the waist down. Find out why Patric is joining us at Standing InnOvation, along with other FAQs, here.

Now a motivational speaker, author, and founder of the Patric Young Foundation, he shares a powerful story of faith and perseverance, exemplifying how setbacks can create opportunities for growth and that progress is not always linear. His foundation supports individuals and families facing life-altering injuries, so no one faces hard days alone. You can learn more about Patric and his mission here: https://www.patricyoung.com/

The fall cohort of the NSF I-Corps at UF Regional Course meets six Thursdays from 12:30-3:30 p.m. starting September 24. In this program, researchers, entrepreneurs, industry professionals, and companies learn to transform innovations into market-ready solutions through the proven I-Corps customer discovery process. Participants will benefit from tailored mentorship by experienced industry experts, gaining critical insights into market demands and customer needs to refine their technologies for real-world applications.

The virtual six-week regional course will be held on Thursdays this Spring from 12:30-3:30 p.m. on the following days:

September 24

October 1, 8, 15, and 29

November 5

To participate, apply by Friday, August 28. If you missed the August 28 application deadline, get the details on the next regional course here. Those who have been accepted into the spring cohort will have received instructions on how to access the course. Email NSF I-Corps at UF with any questions.

Gain an introduction to customer discovery and commercialization through the NSF I-Corps at UF Short Course. Over two sessions, Nov. 3 and Nov. 17, participants learn the fundamentals of the I-Corps process and complete 5-10 customer discovery interviews. This course is designed for individual researchers, very early-stage technologies, or innovators seeking a lower-commitment introduction to commercialization.

Click here to apply. Deadline to apply is October 25.

For questions, contact nsficorps@research.ufl.edu

*Innovation Fund Requirement: Applicants to the 2027 UF Innovate Innovation Fund must complete the NSF I-Corps at UF Regional Course before applying.

Lunch & Learn at UF Innovate | Sid Martin

Join Eppendorf and USA Scientific at UF Innovate | Sid Martin for a Lunch & Learn focused on laboratory automation, liquid handling, and real-world applications. From 11 AM – 1 PM in the Sid Martin main lobby, attendees are invited to enjoy lunch and refreshments while connecting with laboratory automation specialists and discussing workflows across the Sid Martin community, including PCR and qPCR, NGS, genomics, cell-based assays, sample preparation, assay development, plate-based workflows, reagent dispensing, normalization, and dilution series. An Eppendorf automated liquid handling platform will also be available for demonstrations and application-focused discussions. The session will explore how automation can improve reproducibility, consistency, hands-on time, and throughput, as well as considerations for transitioning from manual protocols to automated workflows.

Following the Lunch & Learn, from approximately 1 – 1:30 PM, Eppendorf will host a focused 20 – 30 minute educational presentation in the conference room covering the fundamentals of laboratory automation, common applications, workflow development, and key considerations when transitioning from manual pipetting to automated liquid handling.

Please register by noon on November 4th.

Seminar at UF Innovate | The Hub

Join Matt Friedman at UF Innovate | The Hub as he shares the story of turning a $500 investment and a fraternity-house kitchen in Gainesville into the global WING ZONE franchise.

Please register by noon on November 4th.

During this event, Matt will share the challenges, setbacks, and lessons from his journey, offering an inside look at what it took to grow WING ZONE from a two-man operation into a global franchise system. His story began in 1992, when Matt Friedman was a college student operating an illicit “ghost kitchen” out of his fraternity house at the University of Florida. He didn’t have a business plan, investors, or even a license to operate, just a passion for authentic buffalo wings and a refusal to accept “no” for an answer. What began as a rogue delivery experiment evolved into an international powerhouse with over 140 locations across the U.S. and six countries.

GatorPitch, UF Innovate’s premier startup pitch competition, showcases a curated group of high-potential companies to South Florida’s vibrant investor and entrepreneurial ecosystem. The 2026 event will take place on Thursday, November 5, bringing together founders, investors, corporate leaders, and innovation stakeholders from across Florida and beyond.

Since launching in 2024, GatorPitch has attracted hundreds of attendees and created meaningful opportunities for startups to connect directly with investors, strategic partners, and industry leaders. Participating companies gain valuable visibility, expand their networks, and accelerate opportunities for growth and investment. Register to attend!

Previously focused exclusively on University of Florida-affiliated startups, GatorPitch Miami is expanding in 2026 to welcome Florida-affiliated startups from across the state to apply for the opportunity to pitch before Miami’s active investor and innovation community. Those interested in applying can apply now. The deadline to apply is Friday, September 4. 

The fall cohort of the NSF I-Corps at UF Regional Course meets six Thursdays from 12:30-3:30 p.m. starting September 24. In this program, researchers, entrepreneurs, industry professionals, and companies learn to transform innovations into market-ready solutions through the proven I-Corps customer discovery process. Participants will benefit from tailored mentorship by experienced industry experts, gaining critical insights into market demands and customer needs to refine their technologies for real-world applications.

The virtual six-week regional course will be held on Thursdays this Spring from 12:30-3:30 p.m. on the following days:

September 24

October 1, 8, 15, and 29

November 5

To participate, apply by Friday, August 28. If you missed the August 28 application deadline, get the details on the next regional course here. Those who have been accepted into the spring cohort will have received instructions on how to access the course. Email NSF I-Corps at UF with any questions.

Book Tour + Fireside Chat at UF Innovate | The Hub

Join Professor Robert Blacklidge at UF Innovate | The Hub for an interactive fireside chat and author discussion on translating operational discipline into technical execution and founder resilience. Drawing on lessons from military service and enterprise IT leadership, this session explores practical strategies for taking decisive action, overcoming project inertia, and building lasting community impact.

Please register by noon on November 8th. 

About the book:

Off The Couch is the story of what happens when service becomes a habit instead of an assignment. It traces a path from the discipline of the United States Air Force to the messy, hopeful work of building startup ecosystems in places that were told they’d never have one.

Along the way, Robert unpacks the practical machinery of resilience: how to keep moving when the plan collapses, how to turn data and hard truths into better decisions, and how to build the kind of network that catches founders before they fall.

Part memoir, part playbook, this book is written for the person still sitting on the couch — the veteran in transition, the founder waiting for permission, the community leader wondering whether one person can move an entire ecosystem forward. The answer, gathered across hundreds of pitches, mentors, and midnight launches, is yes.

About our speaker:

Robert Blacklidge

Robert Blacklidge is an educator, technology strategist, and veteran with over twenty years of experience spanning military service, enterprise data architecture, and academic leadership. As a startup mentor and ecosystem builder, he has guided over 100 founders through venture validation and scaling.