On the other side of The Corridor , USF CONNECT , the business and economic development initiative of USF , supported more than 195 employees , including 36 students , through its Tampa Bay Technology Incubator Program . Incubator clients received more than $ 76.2 million in funding and generated nearly $ 7.6 million in revenue . USF also launched the Bull Ring Accelerator Grant ( BRAG ) program to help accelerate participating teams in the university ’ s I-Corps Site Program and other early-stage startups based on USF technology . The program provides up to $ 25,000 of grant funding per company and has supported three companies in its inaugural year .
In the north end of The Corridor , UF broke ground on Phase II of the Florida Innovation Hub , made possible by an $ 8 million grant from the U . S . Economic Development Administration and a $ 9 million match from the university . The expansion will include an Entrepreneurial Woman ’ s Center and space for up to 45 technology startups .
To further assist local entrepreneurs , The Corridor supported : the National Entrepreneur Center ’ s annual conference ; FireSpring Fund , a business accelerator and seed-funding provider that invests in local technology companies and encourages them to start , grow and prosper in the region ; and , the Florida Venture Forum ’ s Early Stage Capital Conference , a resource for startups looking for business resources and funding opportunities .
Volunteer Support Co-chaired by the presidents of the University of Central Florida , the University of South Florida and the University of Florida , the Florida High Tech Corridor Council is sustained by the tireless support of volunteers who are committed to advancing high tech industry throughout the region . Recently , the Council welcomed two new volunteer advisors who will provide guidance to The Corridor as it seeks to carry out its mission : Captain Erik Etz , USN , commanding officer of the Naval Air Warfare Center Training Systems Division and Naval Support Activity Orlando , and Thomas Campbell , director of Innovation , Space and Intelligence Systems for Harris Corporation .
During the past year , these leaders were assisted by more than 400 volunteers – from numerous partners and participants including economic development organizations , school districts , universities , workforce organizations and others – who contributed nearly 4,000 hours in support of The Corridor .
Total Investment in High Tech Economic Development To further the missions of partner organizations and ensure funds have the maximum possible impact , The Corridor regularly matches its partners ’ contributions . During fiscal year 2015 / 2016 , The Corridor committed more than $ 250,000 in funds to 50 programs and initiatives across the region . As a result of The Corridor ’ s investments , those projects generated an additional value of more than $ 2.8 million in funding and support that without The Corridor ’ s initial investment otherwise may not have been realized .
During 2015 / 2016 , The Corridor invested nearly $ 8 million in economic development , research , workforce development , education and support for the region ’ s evolving technology communities . Add to that the $ 8.1 million in external research matches from our Matching Grants Research Program and $ 3 million in additional value realized through initiatives funded by The Corridor , and this year ’ s direct impact totals more than $ 19.1 million .
Marketing The Corridor The many projects of the Florida High Tech Corridor all work to improve national awareness of the 23-county region as a thriving high tech hub among business , government and civic leaders in the region and beyond .
In addition to this award-winning annual magazine , florida . HIGH . TECH , The Corridor continues to be an active participant in many prominent technology trade shows , represented by university , business and economic development leaders at I / ITSEC , Photonics West and SEMICON West , to name a few .
Partners also brought attention to the region through articles in The New York Times for the Lake Nona development and Worth for Orlando ’ s growing high tech scene . Our work received placements in local publications , including the Orlando Sentinel , Tampa Tribune , Florida Trend , the Daytona Beach News-Journal and WMFE public radio . The Corridor was also included in Washington , D . C .’ s The Hill through a piece by Representative Kathy Castor on the National Academy of Inventors .
A presence on social networks , such as Facebook , Twitter , YouTube and LinkedIn , allows for direct interaction with business leaders , technologists and economic developers to link to partner websites and in-depth news coverage . Through these social media channels and online at www . floridahightech . com , The Corridor continues to recognize and promote its “ Faces of Technology ” – the researchers , technicians and engineers who have helped grow innovation across the region . Over the past eight years , more than 130 Faces of Technology have been featured in the annual magazine , florida . HIGH . TECH , with corresponding videos posted to The Corridor ’ s YouTube channel .
These technology pioneers are also spotlighted in The Corridor ’ s monthly email newsletter , Inside Florida ’ s High Tech Corridor . Distributed to more than 3,500 readers each month , the newsletter offers a quick digest of high tech news from across the 23 counties , including partner achievements , updates on research from Corridor universities and a calendar of important dates from the high tech community . To join the distribution list for Inside Florida ’ s High Tech Corridor , or to share good news to be considered for an upcoming edition , please email pressroom @ floridahightech . com .
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