JMC Fall Entrepreneurship Expo

2021 Fall JMC Entrepreneurship Expo

Big ideas and dreams of big business converged at the Fall 2021 Entrepreneurship Expo as students from Florida State University ’ s Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship showcased their companies, products, and services. The group of entrepreneurs gathered under tents on Landis Green included about 30 Jim Moran College current students, offering up a potpourri of products that ran from lawn-care services to handbags made from reclaimed boat sails.

Jim Moran College STEM Entrepreneur in Residence Jeff Whalen said the event is the culmination of hard work by the students enrolled in the college ’ s Experiences in Entrepreneurship courses, and it ’ s also an example of the college delivering on its mission to inspire innovation and an entrepreneurial mindset in its students. “We are an entrepreneurship program so it seems intuitive that our students should graduate having started and run a business, ” he said. “During these courses, which span two consecutive semesters, they all start businesses and this expo is their opportunity to sell what they ’ ve created through the curriculum. ”

A Huge THANK YOU to FSU Alumni & Night Cap co-founder Michael Benarde for coming out to the Fall expo!

At the entrance into the expo, Michael Benarde stood outside his own tent where he was presenting his product Night Cap, a flexible cover that fits over glasses to prevent cocktails from being spiked. Benarde developed Night Cap with his sister, Shirah. The product gained national attention when it was featured on the ABC show Shark Tank and earned a $60,000 bid from “ shark” Lori Greiner in exchange for a 25% stake in the company.

A native of West Palm Beach, Benarde said the Jim Moran College offered the resources he needed to successfully launch his product. “The Jim Moran College was huge in getting us started with all the resources they made available to us, ” he said. “We won four pitch competitions, which helped with funding to start the business. We also were able to use the FSU Business Law Clinic, which was extremely important for trademark registration. ” Benarde said Night Cap continues to grow. The product is also now available with customizable logos and can be purchased online on Amazon and in stores, including Urban Outfitters.