Sebastian Munera and Ricardo Ardila have known each other since their college days at Florida International University, both earning undergraduate and master’s degrees in mechanical engineering. They worked in the HVAC industry for many years, including industry giant Carrier. As they were contemplating leaving their leadership roles at their companies […]
Tag: FIU
New grant will establish Blackstone LaunchPad for FIU student entrepreneurs
By Cynthia Corzo – Guest Contributor Florida International University has received a $500,000 grant from the Blackstone Charitable Foundation, establishing a Blackstone LaunchPad at FIU. The program will augment entrepreneurship support already available at the university and provide students with skills, knowledge and guidance to transform ideas into companies. Open to students of all […]
Meet Boxie, a Miami startup that helps restaurants seamlessly manage their online orders with technology
Lemay Sanchez remembers talking with his childhood friend, Daniel Galano, about building a business together. They lived in Cuba and weren’t even teenagers yet, but they proclaimed to each other they wanted to build something big and important when the time was right – “something that matters,” Sanchez said. Fast […]
FIU, City of Miami partner to propel women of color to entrepreneurial success
By Gisela Valencia – FIU News FIU and the city of Miami have partnered to help businesswomen of color get the attention of venture capitalists. Led by alumna Kenasha Paul ’10, an attorney and founder of the Black Professionals Network, the new initiative aims to fix a problem that threatens […]
Run a startup? Enter the Miami Herald Pitch Competition. There’s an FIU Track too
If you’ve got an early-stage, South Florida-based startup, you still have two weeks to get your pitch deck ready to enter the 23rd annual Miami Herald Startup Pitch Competition. The contest has both a FIU Track and a Community Track, and entering the competition can give you valuable media coverage […]
How an FIU PhD student caught the entrepreneurial bug, launches award-winning startup
By Karen-Janine Cohen – Guest Contributor Growing up in Haiti, Macdeur Alabre (FIU MBA ’21, FIU BBA ’19) – known to most as “Mac” – was pretty sure he would be a doctor. After all, law or medicine were family traditions. But then the entrepreneurial bug found him after a […]
To help more small businesses, FIU receives $2.5 million SBA grant
Florida International University has received a $2.5 million grant from the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Community Navigator Pilot Program. The funds are earmarked for improving underserved entrepreneurs’ access to government programs that provide assistance in launching a new venture, growing a business or managing unexpected business interruptions. The Miami-Dade Small […]
FIU students band together to help struggling restaurants – and learn a lot about starting and growing a small business
Restaurants already have one of the highest failure rates among industries. Add to that a pandemic crisis that has dealt a huge blow to the eateries just trying their best to keep the lights on. Three Florida International University seniors — Albertina Manosalva, Analys Rodriguez and Camila Navarro – have set […]
Heed these 9 keys to success in anchor procurement
If you ever wondered how your small business can increases your chances for success winning contracts for local anchor institutions like Miami-Dade County, Miami-Dade Schools, Florida International University, University of Miami or Miami Dade College, read on. This post is for you. Florida SBDC at FIU offers a range of […]
FIU’s Pino Center organizes record number of trainings to boost local businesses amid pandemic
During the pandemic, a common term heard among busines owners in Miami-Dade County and around South Florida is “pivot.” Retailers have pivoted to focus on more online sales, other businesses have pivoted to roll out new products or services, and restaurants have pivoted to offering more delivery or take out […]