Azul's Innovation Challenge celebrates student entrepreneurship

April 01, 2025

The Daveler & Kauanui School of Entrepreneurship is hosting its first ever “Azul's Innovation Challenge” to celebrate the innovative potential of FGCU’s community. Students and recent alumni submitted their business ideas for nonprofit organizations, for profit businesses, corporate entrepreneurship and social enterprises. The final competition takes place from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. April 17, at Academic Building 9, Room 138. The top five teams who make it to this round will present their ideas in a Shark Tank-style competition. Over $35,000 will be awarded in cash prizes.

Ross Tsakas, entrepreneur in residence at the Daveler & Kauanui School of Entrepreneurship, is leading the initiative and encourages faculty and staff to attend the final round. “Employees should be there to support students since for many this is their first experience in entrepreneurship,” said Tsakas.

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View of the spring 2024 Digital Media Design Senior Showcase. A set-up of tables with posterboards and laptops can be seen throughout the room. Students are presenting their projects and talking with other students. Students from the Daveler & Kauanui School of Entrepreneurship present during the spring 2024 Digital Media Design Senior Showcase, a similar trade show-style format to Azul’s Innovation Challenge.