Overview

Turning ideas into startups

Whether you're developing your own idea or building a business around a USF technology, the Student Innovation Incubator (SII) gives you the support, tools, and community to bring your startup idea to life.

Located in the USF Research Park, SII offers structured programming, expert mentorship, collaborative workspace, and access to Tampa’s growing entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Two Pathways

Student Founder	Student Innovator (Invent 2 Impact)
For students with their own business idea, product, or service.	For students interested in launching a venture around an existing USF technology
You’ll grow your concept through goal-setting, mentorship, and workshops designed to take you from idea to launch.	You’ll choose from a curated list of early-stage university innovations and explore how to bring them to market by building and validating a business model.

 

What You’ll Get

• Mentorship from startup veterans and industry professionals
• Hands-on training in business models, customer discovery, pitching, and validation
• Access to collaborative workspace and meeting rooms
• A community of fellow student entrepreneurs
• Access to Pitch competitions, networking events, and exposure to Tampa’s innovation network

Applications are now open through September 21, 2025

Undergraduate and graduate students from any discipline across USF may apply

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The USF Student Innovation Incubator was developed by USF CONNECT in partnership with the Florida High Tech Corridor and Hillsborough County and collaboration with the USF Nault Center for Entrepreneurship.

Questions: Please contact sii@usf.edu