Accelerate Franklin Entrepreneurship Program (AFEP)

We seek to:

• Foster the creation of new, profitable ventures by those facing economic or other disadvantages
• Assist existing small businesses owned by those with disadvantages in becoming sustainable and growing
• Work with community members on the development of both the person as an entrepreneur and the business as a successful venture
• Celebrate entrepreneurial achievements of those facing/overcoming adversity

Program participants will benefit immensely from the Accelerate Franklin Entrepreneurship Program Bootcamp - an intense, hands-on exposure to the fundamentals of launching and growing a successful venture, taught by seasoned faculty from Florida State University, and successful entrepreneurs.

Topics covered in the Community Bootcamp address all facets of a successful venture, ranging from the development of a viable business concept to understanding your market, designing your profit model, setting up operations properly, marketing your venture, and understanding the basic numbers.

Our underlying focus is how to think and act in entrepreneurial ways—including how to do more with less—and how to grow a venture when you have little in the way of resources.

The approach will be interactive, so participants will be encouraged to bring business ideas and challenges into the weekly discussions.

Bootcamp Schedule and Location

Three consecutive Friday mornings, 10:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., including a networking lunch.

Dates:
Week One: December 5
Week Two: December 12
Week Three: December 19

Location:

Apalachicola National Estuarine Research Reserve (ANERR)
108 Island Drive - Eastpoint, Florida 32328

(Lunch will be provided)

Apply here by November 28, 2025. After applying and receiving acceptance into the Accelerate Franklin Entrepreneurship Program, participants will begin their experience with the Community Bootcamp for Entrepreneurs.

Who is eligible to participate?

Anyone in the community who is looking to take existing idea-stage, micro- and small- ventures into sustainable ventures is eligible to participate in the program. We focus on supporting community members who have a dream of starting and growing a venture, including those who have already started a venture but are struggling.

What is the cost?

Thanks to our supporters, this program is offered at no cost to the accepted participants.

How can I support the program?

We welcome the involvement of community members as volunteers, mentors, and donors. Please contact program directors, Susana C. Santos (ssantos@jmc.fsu.edu) and Marina Lickson (mlickson@jimmoraninstitute.fsu.edu) to learn more.

Other Questions?
Contact program directors, Susana C. Santos (ssantos@jmc.fsu.edu) and Brian Baber (bbaber@fsu.edu)