His company made it to the top three of this year’s Gator 100 list of the fastest growing alumni-owned or led companies in the world. Now Mike Cottmeyer, co-founder and CEO of LeadingAgile, is returning to the UF campus to serve as the Engineering Innovation Institute’s “Entrepreneur in Residence.”

Cottmeyer ­– whose management consulting company is also included on the Inc. 500 list of fastest growing companies in America – will conduct guest lectures on campus and via online lectures. He will instruct and mentor faculty and students in a variety of ways, including product development, business strategy, sales and marketing, social media, and business operations.

“My degree from UF laid the foundation that helped me achieve many personal and professional goals,” said Cottmeyer. “I’m excited by the prospect of coming back and helping young people to build companies at a time when they are better positioned to take risk. Mainly, I see this as an opportunity to have fun, learn, and give back.”

Faculty and students who are engaged in the process of commercializing innovative technologies will have access to Cottmeyer’s industry experience. They will receive practical feedback on how to launch, operate, and grow entrepreneurial ventures – from infrastructure to medical devices to mobile applications to manufacturing.

“Mike Cottmeyer epitomizes the New Engineer – the kind of engineer we produce at the college,” said Erik Sander, director of UF’s Engineering Innovation Institute. “He’s used his UF education and his personal skill sets to build an incredibly successful company, and a fulfilling life for himself and others. Now he’s ready to give back to the next generation. I look forward to seeing the impact he’ll have on our culture and programs at the college as our next Entrepreneur in Residence.”

The Entrepreneur In Residence program is managed through the Engineering Innovation Institute at the Hebert Wertheim College of Engineering.