West Palm Beach November 2026

10 W E S T PA L M B E A C H | N O V E M B E R 2 0 2 6 COVER FEATURE Danielle Mousseau DIRECTOR OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT - 35 MULES PROFILES OF LEADERSHIP - By Dan Hauser | Photos by Neil Cohen Photography - L ong before 35 Mules became a program for supporting and scaling innovative startups, its story began with something far simpler. “35 Mules is rooted in how our company began,” said Danielle Mousseau, Director of Economic Development. “In 1925, Florida Power & Light was a company with an ice plant, a sponge boat, and mules to deliver the ice.” What started as a small, resourceful operation has since evolved into one of the largest energy companies in the world. But for Mousseau, that origin story is more than history—it’s a blueprint. “It’s a reminder that even the Fortune 200 organizations start small, with grit, resourcefulness, and a willingness to build,” Mousseau said. That mindset is what inspired 35 Mules. Launched in 2020, the program supports early-stage companies navigating those same uncertain beginnings. “We wanted to carry that spirit forward,” she added. “It’s both a nod to FPL’s past and a way we invest in the future of Florida.” Today, 35 Mules operates as an innovation hub within FPL—connecting startups with the people, processes, and infrastructure of a leading national energy company. But unlike traditional accelerator models, its value isn’t centered on capital. It’s built around mentoring and sharing subject matter expertise in key areas of business.