

She previously served as the Director of startGNV, a nonprofit dedicated to growing the innovation ecosystem of Greater Gainesville, and as the Communications Director for CareerSource North Central Florida, the region’s local workforce board. Her diverse portfolio includes work in the nonprofit, corporate, public affairs, and entrepreneurial space. Lauren brings 10 years of experience in communications, community organizing, public outreach strategy, and program development. She also serves as the Innovation NaviGator, helping all entrepreneurs land where they belong by partnering with and promoting state and community support organizations. When she isn’t problem-solving or finding ways to surprise and delight her 80+ startup portfolio, Lauren fine-tunes the incubators’ innovative programming and offerings. She holds an Incubation Management Certificate from the InBIA as well as both Fiscal and HR certificates from UF, and was a Leadership Gainesville Graduate (Go Green!).Īs UF Innovate | Incubation Services’ first Client Experience Manager, Lauren Asmus is proud to offer premier service to all Hub and Sid Martin Biotech clients and affiliates. Jennifer obtained her accounting degree from Fisher School of Accounting at UF and is currently the Treasurer of the Florida Incubation Association. She has been with The Hub since 2016 and was part of the team when The Hub was awarded the 2018 International Business Innovation Association (InBIA) Global Mixed-Use Incubator of the Year award. Jennifer is an experienced manager with a history of working in both the private and public sectors of sales, hospitality, real estate law, finance, and accounting. She oversees facilities, reception, financial and contractual functions, and event management for The Hub. She works with UF Incubation Services leadership to meet occupancy and revenue goals implement programs, new initiatives, and special projects monitor client performance meet social media metrics and establish operational goals and objectives that align with the overall strategic plan. Jennifer manages the day-to-day operations of the business incubator in order to facilitate a supportive and encouraging environment for aspiring entrepreneurs to grow. He has a number of certifications related to entrepreneurship, mentoring, emotional intelligence, leadership and management, and financial management.

LaPan graduated with a master’s degree in human resources from American University after earning a bachelor’s degree in business management from Franklin Pierce University. He also established a Women’s Entrepreneurial Opportunity Center to serve women business owners more effectively, built a portfolio of inclusive support grants to give underrepresented groups greater access to entrepreneurial services, and launched a Kiva Hub in collaboration with the City of Fort Wayne and two other organizations to crowdfund inclusive and diverse entrepreneurs in Northeast Indiana. Under LaPan’s direction, entrepreneurs through the NIIC have launched 499 products, applied for 196 patents (most have been granted), created 2,351 jobs, and attracted more than $100 million in grants and capital. Like UF Innovate’s Incubation Services, the NIIC supports entrepreneurs as they plan, launch, and grow successful business ventures so companies can “move ideas into action.” Under his leadership, UF Innovate | Incubation Services provides a place and a program, coaching and connections to give emerging companies the best chance for ongoing success.īefore joining UF Innovate in late spring of 2021, Karl served as president and CEO of the NIIC, a non-profit entrepreneurial support organization in Fort Wayne, Indiana, since its inception in 2000. Karl leads both of UF Innovate’s award-winning incubators, Sid Martin Biotech in Alachua and The Hub, a mixed-use incubator, in Gainesville.
