1. A Collaborative Partnership Among: Shoals Entrepreneurial Center
University of North Alabama
Shoals Chamber of Commerce
Florence/Lauderdale Public Library
Funded in part through the Appalachian Regional Commission’s
Partnerships and Workforce and Economic Revitalization (POWER) Initiative

2. Shoals Shift: Building a regional Digital Technology Cluster

4. Shoals Idea Audition October 11, 2017 38 applicants 150 in audience
30 presentations
5 finalists
1 winner

5. February 20, 2018 4 applicants 2 finalists
$100,000 pre-seed funds awarded

6. Institute Fellows Match students to real world business projects
Student application is a letter of interest and qualifications
Student can apply the funds to tuition or take as income
18 Fellows to date

7. Stimulating students to take steps to innovation and entrepreneurship

8. Shoals Entrepreneurial Center
Receives $997,150 POWER Grant for
Shoals Shift Initiative
August 2016

10. The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi
The $100,000 award, given once per biennium, recognizes one institution of higher learning for achievement in finding powerful answers to important local, regional, national or global challenges. Awardee will be announced May 21, 2018
The three institutions chosen as finalists are:
The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art
University of North Alabama
Western Michigan University