TAMPA — More than 150 Tampa Bay high school students turned STEM concepts into business pitches during a four-day entrepreneurship camp hosted by the USF Nault Center for Entrepreneurship and Amgen, a biotechnology company.
The 2026 STEM Entrepreneurship Camp brought 152 students from 73 schools and 27 school districts to the USF Muma College of Business from July 13 to 16. Students worked with entrepreneurs, mentors and industry professionals to develop business ideas, build plans and ultimately pitch their solutions to judges. More than 240 students applied to participate.
“By combining STEM education with entrepreneurial thinking, we’re helping these students see that their ideas can have a real impact while giving them an opportunity to experience what USF has to offer,” said Allen Clary, executive director of the Nault Center.
The camp marked the second year of the partnership between Amgen and USF’s Nault Center for Entrepreneurship. After serving 90 students at Amgen’s Tampa facility in 2025, the program moved to USF this year to accommodate growing demand and give students a campus-based experience.
“As a proud USF alumnus, it is especially meaningful to see Amgen and USF working together to invest in the next generation of innovators and problem-solvers,” said Darcel Schouler, Amgen Corporate Affairs Tampa lead.
“This partnership gives students the opportunity to apply STEM, innovation and entrepreneurship to real-world challenges while learning alongside mentors and industry professionals. Together, we are helping students build the skills, confidence and connections that will prepare them to lead and make an impact in their communities and future careers,” she said.
The move also expanded USF’s role in connecting young students with entrepreneurship education and resources. The camp brought together education and industry to help students connect STEM knowledge with innovation, business strategy and real-world problem-solving.
Throughout the week, students moved from ideation to execution. Sessions covered product design, marketing, financial concepts, startup fundraising, artificial intelligence, negotiation and pitching. Teams also had dedicated collaboration and mentoring time to refine their ideas before the final competition.
Students represented a broad cross-section of the Tampa Bay region. Of the 152 students accepted, there were 20 eighth graders, 39 ninth graders, 39 10th graders, 36 11th graders, and 18 12th graders. The camp’s largest school district representation came from Hillsborough County Public Schools, with 95 students, followed by Pasco County Schools, with 33.
For many students, the week offered more than an introduction to entrepreneurship. They practiced communication, teamwork, leadership and presentation skills while receiving feedback from professionals — experiences designed to help prepare them for future educational and career opportunities.
Christian Brown, one of the Nault Center’s Entrepreneurs in Residence, also addressed campers in a keynote. Brown earned a Bachelor of Science in Management from USF in 1987 and began his career in staffing and recruitment before going on to found and sell multiple companies.
His participation gave students an opportunity to hear directly from an entrepreneur who began his professional journey at USF, connecting the lessons taught during the camp with the experience of building businesses beyond the classroom.
The four-day experience culminated July 16 with final pitches, judging and an awards ceremony. Student teams presented the ideas they spent the week developing and refining, putting their new business and communication skills into practice.
Pitch Day also drew community leaders and representatives from government offices, including the offices of U.S. Sen. Rick Scott, members of Congress and ۴ý lawmakers, as well as the Tampa Bay Chamber. Their visit provided a firsthand look at student teams, mentoring and live judging.
For the Nault Center, the camp builds on its mission of expanding entrepreneurship education and connecting students with the people and resources that can help transform ideas into opportunities. For Amgen and USF, the growing program demonstrates how partnerships among higher education, industry, K-12 schools and community organizations can give students earlier access to STEM, innovation and entrepreneurship experiences.
The partnership will continue in 2027, bringing another STEM Entrepreneurship Camp to the next generation of student innovators.