TAMPA - The University of South Florida Muma College of Business has appointed Allen
Clary as the new executive director of the Nault Center for Entrepreneurship.
Clary, an experienced entrepreneur and USF alum, will be tasked with building bridges
between the university and the larger entrepreneurial business community. He will
work closely with Muma College of Business Interim Dean GJ de Vreede and Nault Center for Entrepreneurship Director Dirk Libaers to continue the explosive growth of the nationally recognized center.
“We’re looking forward to seeing Allen build on the long history of success we’ve
had in entrepreneurship education and build on USF’s reputation as a critical resource
for Florida’s innovation community,” said de Vreede.
USF’s graduate entrepreneurship program is ranked among the best in the nation. In
2023, the Princeton Review placed USF at No. 9 in the country and No. 5 among public
universities in its Top Graduate Schools for Entrepreneurship Studies list.
Clary, whose new role was announced on Feb. 1, is no stranger to the tech startup
and innovation scene in Tampa Bay.
He launched his first startup at age 27, his second at age 37, and has served several
roles at the Tampa Bay Wave startup accelerator, including as founding board member,
entrepreneur in residence, and director of investor relations. He has been directly
involved in helping raise over $20 million in early-stage capital for his ventures
or others.
“I’m honored to be stepping into the role of executive director,” said Allen Clary. “I’m excited to kick off new initiatives and priorities to bring the Nault Center
for Entrepreneurship to new heights.”
Clary earned an MBA with an emphasis in entrepreneurship and marketing from USF. He
received the USF Entrepreneurship Outstanding Alumni of the Year award in 2013 and
has served on the Nault Center for Entrepreneurship’s Advisory Board for over a decade.
He also is an adjunct professor at USF, where he teaches entrepreneurship, and serves
as chair for TIGER 21 Tampa Bay.
He recently published his first book, “Quit to Start – How to Discover Your Best Idea,
Gain the Confidence, and Plan Your Escape.” The book is dedicated to helping aspiring
and early entrepreneurs reach their fullest potential and achieve their biggest dreams.
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