We were pleased to have Rhys Williams and Jessica Beaver of the FAU Tech Runway be our guest speakers.  Jessica gave the presentation, and both Jessica and Rhys answered questions. 
 
The FAU Tech Runway® is a South Florida public-private partnership that serves as a hub to accelerate technology development and incubate startup companies. Our 28,000-square-foot collaborative working space provides entrepreneurs with a complete ecosystem in which to office, train, mentor, fund, and scale their companies from ideation through to early revenue stage.
There are three major program areas in FAU Tech Runway: 1) Venture, 2) Mentor and 3) Investor Network. 
 
FAU Tech Runway Venture Program
 
The Venture Program is a 12-month training that helps startups launch or expand existing business into new verticals. Training includes intensive entrepreneurs bootcamp covering business fundamentals, C-Suite level mentoring, business development planning, implementation, founders’ audits, free working space for one year at FAU Tech Runway, introduction to sources of venture financing, and marketing and communications assistance.
 
Graduates benefit from on-going resources including guidance, marketing and affiliation with an elite network.
 
For entrepreneurs who are interested in learning more about the program, they can visit their Venture Program page here: http://www.fau.edu/techrunway/tech-runway-venture-program/
 
FAU Tech Runway Mentor Program 
 
The cornerstone of FAU Tech Runway is the mentorship program, modeled after the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s (MIT) proven Venture Mentoring Service. Established in 2000, MIT VMS has assisted more than 1,450 startup ventures who have raised more than $1.4 billion in funding. Through the team mentorship model, FAU Tech Runway aims to replicate similar success in South Florida. Tech Runway mentors represent the best of the best in South Florida. From world class serial entrepreneurs to innovative engineers, our mentors are recruited not only for their expertise, but also their dedication to the success of our community’s entrepreneurial eco-system.
 
For those who are interested in mentoring their entrepreneurs, or have colleagues/friends/family/etc. who might be interested, please visit their Mentor Program page here: http://www.fau.edu/techrunway/tech-runway-mentorship-program/
 
FAU Tech Runway Investor Network (TRIN)
 
embers must be accredited investors and have a meaningful affiliation with Florida Atlantic University. Members are encouraged to be active in the network, which might include the following:
  • Help source high-quality investment opportunities
  • Participate in screening calls
  • Review due diligence materials and pose thoughtful questions relevant to investment evaluation
  • Post investment, offer support and guidance to portfolio company entrepreneurs based on relevant expertise
The FAU Tech Runway Investor Network uses a secure online software platform to facilitate collaboration, deal flow management, content management, diligence processes, investor relations and portfolio reporting. Each member is given a username and password to access the system.
 
Interactions with companies are facilitated through localized member meetings, video conference presentations and planned pitch events (four to six times every year with attendance encouraged but not required). Graduate student associates provide support and resources to deal teams for diligence and communications.
The annual membership fee for FAU-TRIN is $1,500 payable upon joining the network and upon each year anniversary. Dues are assessed in order to cover the modest year-round administrative and staffing needs of the group. The FAU-TRIN Managing Director will assess and approve all membership requests. 
 
For FAU-TRIN membership guidelines, please see their membership agreement.
For more information on this program, they can visit the following page: http://www.fau.edu/economic-development/trin/
 
Success by the Numbers