The Florida Atlantic University entrepreneurial ecosystem recently took center stage at the two-day eMerge Americas conference as three colleges showcased their expansion and future vision.

The Florida Atlantic University entrepreneurial ecosystem recently took center stage at the two-day eMerge Americas conference as three colleges showcased their expansion and future vision.

FAU’s College of Business, the Schmidt College of Medicine, and the College of Engineering and Computer Science collaborated on a booth to highlight the achievements of 2025 thus far. The College of Business showcased the businesses started by various alumni who had been featured in Forbes 30 Under 30, while the Schmidt College of Medicine and the College of Science and Engineering included interactive encounters with robotic dogs, virtual reality headsets and innovation in health care. The Research Park at FAU also joined the colleges to feature the latest developments of its companies.

“It was a pleasure to join eMerge founder and Florida Atlantic alumnus Manny Medina ’74 to discuss the University’s role in cultivating an ecosystem of innovation throughout South Florida,” said FAU President Adam Hasner, who also spoke at the conference about FAU’s role in helping shape the future generation of tech innovators as the South Florida area emerges as a tech hub. “I am proud to lead an institution that is shaping the future by developing the next generation of technology leaders.”

Along with Hasner, Daniel Gropper, Ph.D., dean of the College of Business and Kaye Family professor, and Lewis S. Nelson, M.D., dean of the Schmidt College of Medicine, attended with guest appearances from Manuel Medina, influential South Florida leader, innovator and College of Business alumnus, and Arielle Baril, alumna and Forbes 30 Under 30 awardee for her retail swimsuit store, Rielli.  

“We take great pride in our partnerships with the colleges of medicine, engineering and computer science, and the research park, to showcase the innovative entrepreneurial ecosystem offered at Florida Atlantic University,” said Gropper. “South Florida has emerged as a leading tech-hub, with incredible companies and great community leadership, including that from Manny and Melissa Medina.”

The eMerge Americas annual conference and expo connects investors, innovators, entrepreneurs and industry experts worldwide to Miami to offer a hands-on, interactive two-day event with panels, talks and showcases on the future of tech. As South Florida flourishes as a rising tech hub, this year’s conference focused on climate tech, AI and quantum computing, financial technology and other pressing topics.

Other speakers at this year’s conference included Miami Dolphins owner Stephen Ross and Draymond John, SharkTank judge, entrepreneur and founder of FUBU.

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