By Riley Kaminer
Today marks the beginning of a new chapter for John Wensveen, Nova Southeastern University (NSU)’s Chief Innovation officer and the Executive Director of the Alan B. Levan | NSU Broward Center of Innovation.
After nearly five years in these posts, Wensveen announced today that he will be leaving NSU to step into a new role as the president of an international university that has a strong emphasis on the space sector. While the specific institution has not yet been disclosed, Wensveen expressed his enthusiasm for the upcoming opportunities this position will bring.
“Since our official opening, the Levan Center has launched 106 companies, resulting in the creation of 458 new jobs in South Florida,” Wensveen shared in a statement. “We’ve also seen 17 licensed technologies, 14 patents filed, and more than $6 million in investment funds secured. Additionally, new business revenue generated by these initiatives has exceeded $4.6 million, contributing to an economic impact on South Florida that now surpasses $150 million — and continues to grow.”
Wensveen’s departure marks the end of a significant chapter at NSU, but he remains confident that the center’s momentum will continue to drive innovation and growth in the region. “I am deeply grateful for the trust you placed in me, NSU Florida, and the Levan Center of Innovation,” he continued. “I am confident that the momentum we’ve built will continue to propel innovation and economic growth in our community.”
During his tenure at NSU, Wensveen has played a pivotal role in advancing the university’s mission to foster innovation and economic growth in South Florida.
The Levan Center is a public-private partnership between Nova Southeastern University and Broward County, dedicated to fostering innovation, technology, and entrepreneurship in South Florida. Since its inception, it has become a hotspot for new business creation and a hub for technological advancement across South Florida.
Dubbed the ‘World’s First Theme Park for Entrepreneurs,’ the Levan Center has made a name for itself by offering a wide range of technologies and resources that previously did not exist in our region. This includes a volumetric capture studio, built in partnership with Sony and Canadian content creation studio GeniusXR. It is one of the only two community-accessible studios of its kind in North America.
The Levan Center’s facilities also include a cybersecurity range, media production studio, and pitch room. The Center also organizes a wide range of community events as well as a packed schedule of accelerator-style programming. Another notable initiative of the Levan Center is its country desk model, whereby it fosters connections between local entrepreneurs and international innovators.
Wensveen has been an enthusiastic supporter of the space industry throughout his tenure at NSU. This included the launch of South Florida Space Day.
“There’s a perception that space has a high barrier to entry, but that’s not the case anymore,” Wensveen previously told Refresh Miami. Wensveen sees significant open space for South Florida entrepreneurs to create software solutions, particularly around data. And it’s not all about building for extraterrestrial environments, noted Wensveen: “Space is really about earth. Space influences our life every single day, directly and indirectly.”
At top of post: The Levan Center’s John Wensveen addresses the crowd at the Levan Center’s Innovation Day in 2023.
READ MORE IN REFRESH MIAMI:
- Blast off! Extraterrestrial entrepreneurship on display at Levan Center’s South Florida Space Day
- Levan Center adds volumetric capture studio to list of tech making this hub the ‘World’s First Theme Park for Entrepreneurs’
- Levan Center grows, with space and international collaboration in focus
- Levan Center partners with Panthers for Magical Hockey Stick Challenge
- Q&A with the Levan Center’s John Wensveen on creating connections across South Florida’s tech ecosystem
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