IGNITE
IGNITE is an entrepreneur support program at Florida State University. Our program is designed to grow new technology ventures through business development expertise, an expansive community network, top-of-the-line facilities, and access funding sources. We specialize in entrepreneurial programs and services for early-stage, high tech startups.
Before You Apply
- Admissions decisions are at the full and final discretion of the IGNITE Leadership Team and IGNITE Vetting Committee. Declined applicants may reapply every 6 months or at the invitation of the IGNITE Leadership Team.
- Ventures do not have to have an affiliation to FSU or an FSU technology license to join the program.
- We do not operate a student incubator. Interested FSU students should contact the Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship's Center for Student Engagement.
Program Eligibility Requirements
Prior to entry to IGNITE-FSU, admitted ventures must meet the following requirements:
- Be registered to do business in the State of Florida.
- Pass a background check.
- Express identifiable reasons to align with FSU, IGNITE, and community partners.
- Present a clearly defined business model.
- Have a technology innovation with a proprietary advantage to the venture’s business model.
- Demonstrate high growth potential. The program does not accept service-only labs, lifestyle companies, contract research organizations without a strong innovation angle, or SBIR factories without clear commercial intentions.
- Be an early-stage venture in the R&D or process-development phase. Bio-manufacturing companies and companies looking for clinical trial sites are not a good fit for the program.
Your Commitment to IGNITE
Clients make the following commitments to gain admission:
- Provide economic impact data periodically to the program as requested. Growth is measured on metrics such as job growth, average salaries, outside funding, revenue growth, products launched, patents applied for/awarded, program participation, social and community impact, etc. All data provided remains confidential and is reported in aggregate.
- Commit at least 1 FTE to the venture.
- Actively access advisory support to advance its strategic priorities as appropriate to its development.
- Participate in one or more IGNITE business programs annually or three or more seminars quarterly.
- Provide financial statements periodically as requested by the program.
- Commit to making meaningful progress toward graduation from the incubation program in an appropriate or reasonable timeframe.
About the Program
The IGNITE program is a transformational initiative geared to serving as a connector and catalyst to the North Florida regional economy. By developing and translating tangible solutions to societal challenges, this program will provide the spark needed to ignite a thriving innovative ecosystem. We provide our clients with world-class entrepreneurship training, expert mentorship, networking opportunities, and access to capital.
With full support from our community partners, IGNITE will take the first of many steps into the future of research.
I - Inspiring the
G - Generation of
N - New
I - Ideas and
T - Translational
E - Excellence
“FSU is rapidly growing its entrepreneurial culture. We are committed to empowering our faculty and others to transform their research into successful startups. As the founder of two companies myself, I understand the impact that promoting entrepreneurship can have on both the university and the surrounding community. This investment from the National Science Foundation is an exciting step toward realizing our vision.” - President Richard McCullough
World-Class Facility
Our state-of-the-art facility is designed to support early-stage and growing tech companies in high-priority targeted industries.
To support our clients and provide world-class service, our facility offers the following:
- 30+ Bio and Chemical Labs
- 20+ Secure Offices
- Flex Labs and Maker Spaces
- Shared Lab Equipment
- Communal Office Amenities
- Conference Rooms
- Coworking Spaces
- Breakrooms
- Training and Mentoring
Key Partners
Headlines
FSU receives $6M to close gap between research and real-world solutions
Florida State University is one of 18 universities nationwide receiving a first-of-its-kind award from the National Science Foundation that will boost translational research and help scientists scale their work into products and solutions that can ultimately move from the lab into the public sphere.
Acclaimed FSU researchers named to National Academy of Inventors
The chair of the FAMU-FSU Department of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering and a Florida State University professor of chemistry have been named Fellows of the National Academy of Inventors.
FSU named among top patent producers in worldwide ranking
Florida State University is ranked among the world’s top universities for creating patented technology, according to a new report from the National Academy of Inventors (NAI) and the Intellectual Property Owners Association (IPO).
FSU was ranked 90th worldwide among universities for producing U.S. utility patents in 2023, with a total of 38 patents.
Upcoming Events
Discovery Days 2024 will take place October 7-12
FSU has created a week-long university-wide celebration, highlighting how at FSU - “Innovation is Everywhere.” FSU Discovery Days will celebrate research, scholarship, and creativity with a focus on impact and use-inspired translational work.
- IGNITE Tallahassee Open House
- October 9, from 8AM-1PM
- Join us for the open house of IGNITE Tallahassee, the region’s new business incubator located in the Innovation Park corridor. RSVP Required. RSVP Here
- Discovery Challenge: FSU Entrepreneurs Compete for Cash to Jumpstart Companies
- October 9, from 3-5PM
- FSU startup companies pitch their big ideas for cash prizes in a shark tank-style competition. RSVP for the Event Here