By Kaylee Gray | FSU News
Florida State University and the Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship (JMC) will welcome entrepreneurship educators, center directors, researchers, startup ecosystem builders and innovation leaders from around the world for the 2026 Global Consortium of Entrepreneurship Centers (GCEC) Conference Oct. 15–17 in Tallahassee.
The conference marks the 30th anniversary of the GCEC, the world’s premier organization supporting university-based entrepreneurship centers and programs. The event arrives during a historic period for FSU, which is celebrating its 175th anniversary in 2026. It also follows the 30th anniversary celebration of the Jim Moran Institute for Global Entrepreneurship (JMI).
GCEC brings together more than 500 entrepreneurship leaders from across the globe to exchange ideas, share best practices and explore the future of entrepreneurship education, innovation and economic development. It’s where conversations go beyond theory and into what’s working right now — teaching entrepreneurship, how students are launching ventures and how universities are connecting more intentionally with the innovation ecosystems around them. Across keynotes, breakout sessions and a lot of hallway conversations, attendees swap ideas, co-create resources and explore new approaches for the future of entrepreneurship education.
This year’s theme is momentum, the forward motion that moves ideas into action, transforms challenges into opportunities and fuels the engine of innovation.
“I love entrepreneurship because it is one of society’s greatest force multipliers, helping to build momentum that transforms ideas into action and drives both economic and social impact,” said Eric Liguori, JMC professor and associate dean. “As we prepare to welcome this global group of entrepreneurship leaders to FSU to share best practices, build partnerships and shape the future of innovation and entrepreneurship education, I can’t think of a better theme to capture the essence of entrepreneurship at FSU and the possibilities GCEC 2026 is sure to present.”
“I love entrepreneurship because it is one of society’s greatest force multipliers, helping to build momentum that transforms ideas into action and drives both economic and social impact.”
– Eric Liguori, Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship Professor
FSU is joining a strong lineup of institutions that have hosted the GCEC Conference over its 30-year history, including many of the most well-established entrepreneurship programs around the world. The group of host institutions has helped shape the conference into what it is today: a collaborative forum where relationships turn into partnerships, new program ideas and new ways of thinking about how to best support founders. It’s also one of the few gatherings that shows how quickly entrepreneurship education is evolving across different universities and regions.
“Our unique model of hosting the GCEC Conference on a different campus each year gives attendees a direct look at diverse universities and regional entrepreneurship ecosystems,” said Holly DeArmond, executive director of the GCEC. “Celebrating our 30th anniversary at FSU in 2026 is special. Not only are they home to the nation’s first college of entrepreneurship, but their Jim Moran Institute for Global Entrepreneurship also recently celebrated its 30th anniversary. Together, we represent three decades of leadership in entrepreneurship education and programming.”
Hosting the GCEC Conference provides FSU with a unique opportunity to showcase Tallahassee’s growing entrepreneurial ecosystem and the university’s leadership in innovation and economic development.
Entrepreneurship and innovation are key priorities within FSU’s strategic vision, reflected through investments in entrepreneurial education, research commercialization, student innovation and community engagement. Through the Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship, the Jim Moran Institute for Global Entrepreneurship, innovation-focused academic programs, startup support initiatives and partnerships across the region, FSU continues to serve as a catalyst for entrepreneurial growth and economic opportunity.
Conference attendees will have the opportunity to experience firsthand the collaborative network that supports entrepreneurs throughout North Florida, including university programs, startup support organizations, business leaders, investors and community partners working together to create an environment where innovation can thrive.
The conference is also expected to generate significant economic and community impact for Tallahassee by bringing visitors from around the world to Florida’s capital city and highlighting the region’s entrepreneurial momentum, research capabilities and commitment to innovation.
Entrepreneurship educators, researchers and practitioners are invited to contribute to the global conversation on entrepreneurship education and innovation by submitting session proposals for the 2026 conference.
Proposal Submission Deadline: June 15, 2026Submit your session proposal
Conference registration includes access to keynote presentations, breakout sessions, networking opportunities, hospitality suites, scheduled meals and official conference programming throughout the three-day event.
The 2026 GCEC Conference will be held on FSU’s campus and at select venues throughout Tallahassee. Attendees will experience the university’s vibrant entrepreneurial community while connecting with peers from leading institutions around the world.
For more information about conference registration, sponsorship opportunities and proposal submissions, visit JMC’s website. If you have any questions, please contact the FSU GCEC committee at gcec@jmc.fsu.edu .