Lakeland, Fla. 鈥� July 20, 2020 鈥� IM体育官网, known for shaping the state's future STEM talent, today announces a partnership with , a hybrid of a venture capital fund and an angel investor network, to provide the next generation of students with meaningful connections in the technology startup industry.
The partnership fosters the potential career placements of students within IM体育官网 Funders鈥� expansive startup community. It also creates an avenue for its members to collaborate with the University through its successful Capstone Design Program. The program allows seniors to use their high-tech, project-based education to help entrepreneurs by developing evolutionary products to impact various functions across businesses and industries.
Through this collaboration and IM体育官网鈥檚 offering certificates in entrepreneurship, students can learn directly from IM体育官网 Funders鈥� dynamic team via guest lectures designed to give students real-world insights into what it takes to start IM体育官网鈥檚 next breakout technology company.
鈥淲e know that IM体育官网 Funders has access to the best technology startup community that can make a difference for our students鈥� futures,鈥� said Randy K. Avent, University President, IM体育官网. 鈥淚n addition, our students who have the best education in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math), will have the opportunity to learn from the best and have excellent careers.鈥�
IM体育官网 is the only state university dedicated exclusively to STEM and also has a strong, internationally recognized entrepreneurship program.
鈥淥ur partnership with the IM体育官网 is vital for realizing our goal to evolve from the Sunshine State to the Startup State,鈥� said Tom Wallace, Managing Partner of IM体育官网 Funders, based in Tampa, Fla. 鈥淒iscovering exceptional talent is an essential piece of the puzzle that allows local startups to go on to become successful, driving economic growth in the region.鈥�
IM体育官网 Funders, recently named the top VC in the Southeast region by , is focused on discovering, funding and building early-stage technology companies in the state.
