GrowFL Now Offering American Academy of Entrepreneur’s (AAE) Program
GrowFL launches the application process to identify the next cohort to be selected for the American Academy of Entrepreneurs, a mentoring program created by the Edward Lowe Foundation to accelerate second-stage business success.ย
America is built on the backs of entrepreneurs. If successful entrepreneurs band together to work collectively, they will make a powerful investment in the future of America.
Edward Lowe was a passionate supporter of entrepreneurship and its role in a robust U.S. economy. As the inventor of Kitty Litter, the countryโs first cat-box-filler, Lowe understood firsthand the obstacles entrepreneurs faced and he wanted to make the entrepreneurial journey of others easier than it had been for him. He and his wife, Darlene Lowe, launched the Edward Lowe Foundation in 1985 to provide entrepreneurs with greater support and resources. The American Academy of Entrepreneurs is a continuation of Loweโs efforts to ensure the success of second-stage businesses, a significant source of job creation for the nationโs economy.
โA mentoring program was something Mr. Lowe always wanted to do,โ said Colleen Killen-Roberts, the Edward Lowe Foundationโs divisional vice president of entrepreneurship. โHe even coined the AAE name in the foundationโs early days when developing ideas for different initiatives. Mr. Lowe felt he learned best from talking with other business owners; however, opportunities to connect with peers were few and far between for him. With the AAE, he hoped to help other entrepreneurs find their tribe.โ
Mentees who participate in the program hosted by GrowFL will connect with other established business owners, grow their network, gain a sounding board for business issuesย and avoid the obstacles others have faced.ย ย
โWe areย thrilled toย support the establishment ofย the Americanย Academy of Entrepreneurs programย inย Florida,โ saidย Paulย Sohl, Rear Adm. USN (ret), CEO of theย Florida High Tech Corridor Council. โTheย Corridor Council works to create strategic partnerships for economic growth in the state and our partnership withย GrowFLย and the Edward Lowe Foundation is going to be a tremendous benefit to Floridaย and its forward-thinking business leaders.โย
The American Academy of Entrepreneurs will kick off on January 21, 2021,ย with a virtual retreat comprised of panel discussions, peer learning, and the pairing of mentors and mentees. Following the kickoff, the pairs will meet monthly until September 2021.ย ย ย
โThe benefit for both the mentors and the mentees is significant,โ said Killen-Roberts. โFor the mentee, itโs having one person who is volunteering their time to help shepherd them through really difficult situations that theyโve already lived through themselves. For the mentor, itโs their chance to give back and leave a legacy.โ
โWe are grateful for our ongoing relationship with the Edward Lowe Foundation and the valuable programs they develop for second-stage businesses. Theย American Academy of Entrepreneurs programย is going to be a fantastic opportunity for both mentors and mentees.”
Jennifer Barrows, GrowFL Advisory Board Chair.ย ย
This program is made possible by partnerships with the Florida High Tech Corridor Council, the University of Central Florida, the University of Florida and the University of South Florida.ย
For more information on the AAE , contactย GrowFL, atย info@growfl.com.ย
