We gathered at Florida Atlantic University as Kevin Cox, Ph.D., Florida’s Entrepreneur Educator of the Year, showed us that innovation belongs to everyone who is willing to try, adapt, and create something new.
In this CreativeMornings Palm Beach talk, Kevin Cox challenges the narrow definition of innovation as scientific discovery or cutting-edge technology. Instead, he reframes innovation as something deeply human — any act of creating value where none existed before. From art and services to business models and careers, innovation is accessible to everyone. Kevin shares candid stories from his own journey, including multiple failed startups, unexpected career turns, and the unconventional path that led him to leadership at Florida Atlantic University’s entrepreneurship ecosystem. Rather than presenting success as linear or glamorous, he emphasizes perseverance, adaptability, and learning through failure. Drawing from years of mentoring founders, Kevin highlights the real enablers of innovation: strong teams, trusted mentors, persistence through uncertainty, passion for outcomes, objectivity, and creativity applied with intention. Through vivid examples — from billion-dollar companies to community-driven solutions — he shows that innovation doesn’t require permission, perfect timing, or the “right” background. His message is both grounding and empowering: innovation begins wherever someone believes things can be better — and chooses to act on it.
About the speaker
Kevin Cox, Ph.D. currently serves as the Director for The Runway Accelerator and the Adams Center for Entrepreneurship at FAU, Senior Instructor of Entrepreneurship, Lead Instructor for The Runway and the Veterans Florida Entrepreneurship Program, a Division of Research Associate, and Co-host of the Shrimp Tank Podcast. He completed his Ph.D. in Entrepreneurship from Florida Atlantic University’s College of Business and his Master of Science in Entrepreneurship from the University of Florida. To date, Kevin has taught, mentored, and worked with more than 1000 startups providing expert advice and consultation supporting the survival, growth, and performance of these early-stage businesses. He has also published two entrepreneurship training books and associated educational programs, The New Venture Launchpad 2.0, & The Fine Art of New Venture Funding. He is also the author of more than 20 articles published in refereed journal outlets all in the field of entrepreneurship. Dr. Cox was also recently named the State of Florida Entrepreneurship Educator of the Year for 2025, South Florida Business Journal 40 under 40 Business Leaders, and awarded the 2025 Entrepreneurship Practice Award for Advancing the Practice of Entrepreneurship from the Entrepreneurship Division of the Academy of Management.
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Hosted by
Florida Atlantic University - Schmidt Family Complex
777 Glades Rd, SF-107
Boca Raton, Florida United States 33431
Date
Partners
Subculture Coffee
H&H Bagels
Beighley, Myrick, Udell, Lynne & Zeichman
The Runway at Florida Atlantic
