Success today isn't about traditional career paths but mastering the skills that drive impact and innovation. I'll share my journey of building ventures and scaling teams in the Skills Economy Era with practical insights on learning, adaptability, and creating your own opportunities. Registration Link: https://ucf.startuptree.co/event/s/PkJ4skCfq5nPE9h8MQ5jGM/Thriving-in-the-Skills-Economy-Era%253A-Lessons-from-Building-Ventures-and-Careers

This session focuses on the foundational elements of understanding customer segments, building strong relationships, and effectively using communication channels. You'll learn how to identify who your customers are, understand their needs and determine the best ways to interact with them.RSVP:Virtual Location URL: https://ucf.startuptree.co/event/s/MtR8LCMvbcPky5QuK48ufg/Introduction-to-Customer-Segments%252C-Relationships%252C-and-Channels

Discover how to identify your target audience and validate your business idea through effective market research and customer discovery techniques. In this interactive workshop, you'll learn how to gather meaningful insights about your customers' needs, behaviors, and preferences, and use that information to refine your product or service. Leave with actionable strategies to build a business that truly resonates with your audience!RSVP:

Capability Statement Boot CampPowered by the APEX Accelerator at UCFA capability statement is a popular piece of marketing collateral in government contracting. It a one-page summary of the business much like a 'company resume' and can be a great tool to introduce your business. A capability statement will not be the only piece of marketing collateral that you use in government contracting, but it can be a great first step.Kara Vernon and Steve South of the APEX Accelerator at UCF will present a detailed introduction to the capability statement and how it can be used in government contracting. Highlights will include:* An Overview of the Capability Statement * A Review of Key Components of a Capability Statement: Core Competencies, Differentiators, Past Performance * The Importance of Customizing Your Capability StatementKara and Steve will also review some example capability statements as part of their discussion, and the hope is that there will be at least one or two clients that are willing to have their capability statements reviewed in front of the audience as well.Join us for this training session focused on the cornerstone of your government contracting marketing effort!This event is sponsored by the Florida SBDC at UCF.Virtual Location URL: https://events.blackthorn.io/en/6g3Q8Wa7/g/x4W8BcsAj4/capability-statement-boot-camp-5a1eVO6B6t3 Registration Link: https://events.blackthorn.io/en/6g3Q8Wa7/g/x4W8BcsAj4/capability-statement-boot-camp-5a1eVO6B6t3

Title: Advancing the next generation of photonic systems using machine learningAbstract: The 2024 Nobel Prize in Physics underscores the growing influence of machine learning in diverse areas of physical science. In the field of photonics, machine learning is proving invaluable for tasks such as optimizing and designing fiber-optical communication systems, optical amplifiers, noise characterization of frequency combs, inverse design of photonic components, and quantum-noise-limited signal detection. In this talk, I will review notable applications of machine learning in photonics and explore future directions in this emerging field. Specifically, I will highlight its role in phase noise characterization of optical frequency combs, end-to-end learning for fiber-optic communication, and realization of programmable ultra-wideband Raman amplifiers. Lastly, I will introduce an exciting new application of machine learning: controlling nonlinear interactions in highly nonlinear waveguidesBiography: Darko Zibar is currently professor at the Department of Electrical and Photonics Engineering, Technical University of Denmark and the group leader of Machine Learning in Photonics Systems group. He received master's of science in telecommunication and doctorate in optical communications from the Technical University of Denmark, in 2004 and 2007, respectively. He has been a visiting professor at Politecnico di Torino, Friedreich Alexander University of Erlangen, University of California Santa Barbara and University of Colorado, Boulder. His research efforts are currently focused on the application of digital signal processing and machine learning techniques to advance classical and quantum optical communication and measurement systems. Some of his major scientific contributions include: record capacity hybrid optical-wireless link (2011), record sensitive optical phase noise measurement technique that approaches the quantum limit (2021) and record-bandwidth (S+C+L band) programmable gain Raman amplifier (2019). He is the recipient of Young Researcher Award by University of Erlangen-Nurnberg (2016), European Research Council (ERC) Consolidator Grant (2017), Alexander von Humboldt Foundation Bessel Research Award, (2021), and Villum Investigator Award (2023). Finally, he was a part of the team that won the HORIZON 2020 prize for breaking the optical transmission barriers (2016).Virtual Location URL: https://ucf.zoom.us/j/98717167672?from=addon

Fireside Chat with Hollywood Virgin author & Virgin Entertainment co-founder Jason FeltsMonday, Feb. 17 1 p.m.[Pegasus Ballroom - UCF Student Union](https://maps.app.goo.gl/Z5XKmsuSJmT1CJZF6) 12715 Pegasus Dr., Orlando, FL 32816This event is free to all UCF Students, Alumni and Friends.Join us for a fireside chat on all things business entertainment with [Hollywood Virgin](http://www.hollywoodvirgin.com/) author and Virgin Entertainment co-founder Jason Felts! This chat celebrating the release of Hollywood Virgin will be moderated by [Dr. Rod Berger](https://www.drrodberger.com/) and close with an audience Q&A.All attendes will receive a free copy of Hollywood Virgin! Attendees must be present to collect their book.Questions? Contact us at [Knights@ucfalumni.com](mailto:Knights@ucfalumni.com). Registration Link: https://foundation.ucf.edu/HollywoodVirgin