Program Overview

Introduction to the Leon Entrepreneurship and Adversity Program (LEAP)

The Leon Entrepreneurship and Adversity Program (LEAP) is designed to support individuals in the Big Bend region, including Leon, Wakulla, and Gadsden counties, who face economic or other hardships and are seeking to start or grow their own businesses. This 10-month program is managed by the Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship and the Jim Moran Institute at Florida State University in partnership with local nonprofit groups, government offices, small businesses, and other university partners.

About the Program

Program participants will benefit from the Community Bootcamp for Entrepreneurs, a hands-on exposure to the fundamentals of launching and growing a successful venture. Taught by seasoned faculty, subject matter experts, and successful entrepreneurs, the program occurs on six consecutive Saturday mornings in the fall, followed by a networking lunch. Topics covered include:

• Development of a viable business concept
• Understanding the market
• Designing a profit model
• Setting up operations properly
• Marketing the venture
• Understanding basic financial numbers The approach is interactive, encouraging participants to bring their business ideas and challenges into the weekly discussions.

Goals of the Program

The primary objectives of LEAP are to:

• Foster the creation of new, profitable ventures by those facing economic or other disadvantages
• Assist existing small businesses owned by those with disadvantages in becoming sustainable and growing
• Work with community members on the development of both the person as an entrepreneur and the business as a successful venture
• Identify and share best practices in poverty alleviation through entrepreneurship
• Measure and track the development and performance of entrepreneurs and their ventures based on program participation
• Celebrate entrepreneurial achievements of those facing or overcoming adversity

Important Dates

• Application Deadline: October 13, 2025
• Session 1: October 18, 2025
• Session 2: October 25, 2025
• Session 3: November 1, 2025
• Session 4: November 8, 2025
• Session 5: November 15, 2025
• Session 6: November 22, 2025
• Mentoring: Begins November 2025
• Consulting: Begins Spring 2026

FAQs

Eligibility

Anyone in the community suffering from adverse economic, physical, or related circumstances is eligible to participate. The program focuses on supporting community members living in poverty who have a dream of starting and growing a venture, including those who have already started a venture but are struggling.

Cost

The cost of the program is $500. However, scholarships of $475 are available for anyone with financial need. All applicants are considered for scholarship. The $25 fee is due at the time of acceptance into the program or on the first day of the program.

Support

The program welcomes the involvement of community members as volunteers, mentors, and donors.

Partners

The program is supported by various partners, including local nonprofit groups, government offices, small businesses, and other university partners across Leon County.