Florida Tech Assists in Space Industry Transitions with Funded Scholarship

MELBOURNE, FLA.—It was one small step for all six transitioning Kennedy Space Center aerospace program employees, but a very big step for one of them. The six participated in a free business-training program in summer 2009 through a Florida Institute of Technology and Brevard Workforce partnership. One participant, Ken Tauer, of Rockledge, won a full-tuition scholarship in the Florida Tech Online MBA program for his promising new business idea.

Tauer, a tech operator at United Space Alliance, participated in the Entrepreneurial Training Services (ETS) program under Florida Tech’s Institute for Entrepreneurship and New Business Development, where he developed his idea. He hopes to start a submarine sightseeing business in the Florida Keys. His plan is to offer underwater excursions for three to six people at a time to enjoy a unique Keys experience.

The ETS program coordinator, Florida Tech Nathan M. Bisk College of Business faculty member Bob Keimer, said, “Ken’s many months of hard work and effort were evident by his contributions to the ETS program and by the quality and professionalism of his business plan and presentations.” He and the other reviewers for the scholarship agree that the applications were highly competitive.

Tauer noted that before the program his project was just a hypothetical business plan. “The bottom line is that I have learned so much by going through the process of building this plan with the skills acquired from the sessions.”

The ETS program will continue, according to Keimer. For more information contact the Institute for Entrepreneurship and New Business Development at ets@fit.edu or (321) 674-7041.