KEY LARGO, FL, July 13, 2026 — The College of the Florida Keys (CFK) received a grant of $25,220 from the Ocean Reef Community Foundation (ORCF) to support the launch of CFK’s Entrepreneurship Incubator Lab (EIL). This innovative, hands-on program based at CFK’s Upper Keys Center will help aspiring entrepreneurs, students, and local business owners transform ideas into viable ventures. The ORCF grant will cover the program’s inaugural costs and allow the first cohort to attend free of charge. Participants will compete for $7,500 in awards during the program’s culminating “Pitch Night Showcase.”

“The Entrepreneurship Incubator Lab is more than a college program, it is an investment in the economic future of the Florida Keys,” said Dr. Jesus Vazquez, Faculty, Supervision and Management at CFK. “Thanks to the generous support of the Ocean Reef Community Foundation, we are able to launch this important initiative and provide our inaugural cohort with access to entrepreneurial education, mentorship, and resources at no cost.”

The EIL will be an eight-week cohort experience that guides participants through the entrepreneurial process from idea development and planning to marketing, sales, financials, and operations. The cohort model encourages accountability, collaboration, and peer networking while guiding participants on how to build and refine their ventures alongside fellow entrepreneurs.

Key dates for the EIL launch are:

• Applications Open: August 1
• Applications Close: September 25
• Cohort Workshop Begins: October 5

The EIL is designed for aspiring and emerging entrepreneurs in the Upper Keys region who are ready to develop, launch, or grow a business venture. The program is open to:

• Current CFK students from all academic disciplines
• CFK alumni seeking to pursue entrepreneurial opportunities
• Keys residents with innovative business ideas or startup concepts
• New and early-stage business owners looking to expand, refine, or strengthen their operations

For more information, visit the Entrepreneurship Incubator Lab, or contact Dr. Jesus Vazquez at (305) 809-3328 or jesus.vazquez@cfk.edu

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