Runway Program

The FGCU Runway Program is a free business incubator that is open to students and alumni. Located in the FineMark Incubator on the first floor of Lucas Hall, participants have access to over 2,000 ft² shared work spaces, private conference rooms, computers, camera and audio recording equipment, product and app development software, as well as direct access to expert faculty, staff, and community startup coaches. Program participants will have priority access to the third floor Media Lab, which features total lighting and sound control, backdrops, props, and cinema quality audio-video equipment. The Rist Family Maker Space, located on the second floor of Lucas Hall, contains 3D printers, a laser cutter, desktop CNC, and VR development kits that participants can request to use. 

Participants regularly meet with an assigned Runway Program Advisors to receive feedback on ideas and progress, and set achievable goals towards launching their business venture. The Runway Program follows Lean Startup methodologies. Participants identify and validate the existence of a problem or opportunity, and then develop solutions and a plan that they can test with real customers. At the end of the semester-long program, qualified participants have the opportunity to pitch for equity-free seed funding to launch their businesses.

When Emily Ennis ('20) first joined the Runway Program, she had a vague idea of what she wanted to do. She had been affected by a traumatic distracted driving incident that sparked a passion for wanting to prevent others from experiencing what she did. Through the Runway Program, Emily went from an idea to a functional and funded business solution that she is now in the process of growing.