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About ACE

Mission

The mission of the Adams Center for Entrepreneurship (ACE) at the DeSantis Pavilion is to create entrepreneurial leaders that find sustainable solutions to economic and social problems. The goal of ACE is to prepare FAU students in business, science, engineering, and all disciplines who are looking to become entrepreneurs through business ownership or through venturing.

The Carl DeSantis Pavilion was established in 2001 as part of Florida Atlantic University’s College of Business, with the mission of serving as an incubator for ideas and a center of discussion and scholarly activity. The DeSantis Pavilion hosts the college’s renowned School of Accounting, Executive Programs as well as its outstanding entrepreneurship, mentorship and internship programs. The Pavilion is also home to the Community Relations Office, which connects alumni and friends to the College.

Vision

ACE provides students with a unique academic experience by fostering revolutionary intellectual growth beyond conventional wisdom in the pursuit and creation of sustainable solutions to business and social problems.

Objective

Educating the business leaders of tomorrow

ACE Pavilion focuses on community engagement efforts offering a portfolio of innovative programs to provide "real world" experiences to students. These programs are organized into three areas: cross disciplinary academics, community outreach, and venture creation from emerging technologies.

ACE is part of the Department of Management Programs (DMP), the largest department in the college with the third largest major in the university. The academic areas that DMP serves are increasingly important in our society as organizations continue to expect more effective management practices, and provide essential components in our global economy. DMP and ACE aim to develop future leaders with the skills to successfully navigate the demands of business within a global, digitally focused marketplace.

These programs are of tremendous value to students, providing them with access to today’s business and community leaders as they develop the skill sets they need to become the leaders of tomorrow.

History of Success

More than a decade ago, in 2001, ACE was named in recognition of a major donation from FAU graduate and previous FAU Board of Trustees member Scott H. Adams, who continues to provide intellectual leadership and support for the center.

The founder of entrepreneurship at FAU, Dr. Larry Klatt, championed the undergraduate and graduate level coursework associated with the Small Business and Entrepreneurship Management option and the MBA Global Entrepreneurship concentration today known as Entrepreneurship option and MBA Entrepreneurship degree respectively.

The efforts of many have brought recognition to the program in different ways including:

Hosting the annual FAU Business Leader of the Year Award
Ranking third in the nation by Success Magazine (1998)
The program ranked top 50 in the nation by Success Magazine (2001)
Early in 2011, City Furniture opened a new store in Boca Raton and organized a grand opening event, where a silent auction was hosted and benefited the Adams Center for Entrepreneurship at the DeSantis Pavilion.
CFA Institute – Equity Analyst Program, which equips students with cutting edge skills in financial analysis, and equity research through the creation of quality, independent equity research reports.

The entrepreneurship program is also home to the Office Depot Eminent Scholar in Small Business.

Community Partnership

Local and national alliances along with community engagement continue to be the backbone of a strong, empowering program in entrepreneurship. ACE provides key support throughout the entrepreneurial community and has formed partnerships with: