Transforming economic landscapes through FAU’s Innovation and Business Development Districts
The Florida Atlantic University (FAU) Innovation and Business Development Districts, powered by the Florida Small Business Development Center, have established a comprehensive ecosystem that drives regional economic growth by supporting entrepreneurs and businesses at every stage of development.
By integrating academic resources with local and regional partnerships, FAU has created a seamless continuum of services that include business consulting, acceleration programs, and targeted support for underserved communities. This innovative model has attracted significant capital investment, created thousands of jobs, and transformed communities into vibrant hubs of business activity, making FAU a leader in fostering economic development in South Florida.
Download the full case to learn more about their challenges, activities and main success factors.
From the same collection
There are four additional case studies in this collection:
- Empowering local entrepreneurs through collaborative networks: The WiSys VentureHome® initiative
- Nurturing entrepreneurship in Europe’s border regions with VentureWærft
- Building an entrepreneurial ecosystem in rural Devon with the University of Exeter
This case study is based on the 2023 UIIN Conference submission by Sandra D. Marin Ruiz, Assistant Vice President for Innovation and Business Development, the Regional Director of the Florida Apex Accelerator and Florida SBDC at Florida Atlantic University.








