Florida State University’s Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship received an international award recognizing its leadership in entrepreneurship education after hosting approximately 500 educators, business leaders and innovators from around the world at a three-day conference in Tallahassee.
The college received the Global Consortium of Entrepreneurship Centers (GCEC) Center of Entrepreneurial Leadership Award during the organization’s annual conference, held Oct. 15-17.
The event attracted representatives from 14 countries and nearly 250 universities, organizations and entrepreneurship programs, providing an opportunity to showcase FSU’s entrepreneurship initiatives and Tallahassee’s business community.
The award recognized the college’s leadership and its work organizing the international conference.
“Hosting the GCEC Conference at Florida State University during such a momentous year represents an extraordinary opportunity to bring together the leaders shaping the future of entrepreneurship education,” said Mike Brady, interim dean of the Jim Moran College.
Brady said the recognition reflected the contributions of faculty, staff and community partners involved in advancing entrepreneurship education.
The conference focused on the theme of “momentum,” examining how universities can help students and entrepreneurs transform ideas into businesses, strengthen partnerships and contribute to economic development.
Participants attended keynote presentations, panel discussions and more than 90 breakout sessions addressing entrepreneurship education, business development and innovation.
Among the topics were expanding hands-on learning opportunities, supporting student-created businesses and connecting university entrepreneurship programs with local economic development efforts.
The conference also highlighted several institutional milestones. FSU is celebrating its 175th anniversary in 2026, while the GCEC and FSU’s Jim Moran Institute for Global Entrepreneurship are marking 30 years.
The Jim Moran College will celebrate its 10th anniversary in 2027. Established as the nation’s first stand-alone college of entrepreneurship at a public university, the college offers programs designed to prepare students to launch businesses and pursue entrepreneurial opportunities.
Conference activities extended beyond campus, bringing visitors to several Tallahassee businesses and regional attractions.
A reception at Doak Campbell Stadium featured FSU’s Marching Chiefs, while another event took place at Proof Brewing Company in the Railroad Square Arts District. The conference concluded with an awards gala at the Donald L. Tucker Civic Center.
Visitors also participated in regional excursions, including trips to Thomasville, Georgia, Wakulla Springs and Florida’s Forgotten Coast.
The activities introduced international visitors to local businesses, tourism destinations and economic development opportunities throughout North Florida.
The Global Consortium of Entrepreneurship Centers connects university-based entrepreneurship programs worldwide to exchange ideas and improve educational practices.
For FSU, hosting the conference and receiving the international recognition provided an opportunity to strengthen relationships with other institutions while promoting Tallahassee as a center for entrepreneurship, innovation and business development.
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