German engineering firm looks to capture the aerospace market and others through Hexagon partnership and expansion
Orlando, Fla. (January 26, 2026) – Once again, Central Florida’s strength in the aerospace market has brought another company to Orlando.
UNIKE Design and Development, a German-based engineering firm, opened its first office in the United States at the UCF Business Incubator in Research Park.
The company is particularly focused on the aerospace industry, bringing more than two decades of expertise in tackling complex aerodynamic, structural-dynamic, and aeroelastic challenges across the full development cycle.
“When you think of the aerospace industry, you automatically think of Florida,” says Markus Eckert, founder and CEO, UNIKE. “After attending the last SpaceCom in Florida, it became obvious that we needed to be in this market to replicate the success we have had in Europe.”
UNIKE differentiates itself by leveraging state-of-the-art numerical modeling and proprietary AI-enhanced simulation technology to analyze and optimize fully coupled multiphysics systems in near real time. By integrating aerodynamic behavior, nonlinear flexible multibody dynamics, acoustic phenomena, and fluid–structure interactions into a single coherent model, the company is able to incorporate advanced control-system development — including Software-in-the-Loop (SiL) environments for real-time controller design and validation — where feedback dynamics and cross-disciplinary interactions must be assessed holistically rather than in isolated single-physics analyses.
One of the keys to the move was its relationship with Hexagon, a multinational software company. UNIKE has been a channel partner of MSC Software for years, helping clients utilize the software to its fullest. Hexagon purchased MSC and encouraged the move.
As the company grows, it will expand to house around a half-dozen high-level software engineers in Central Florida. Another key to the expansion was the quality of engineering students graduating from the University of Central Florida.
This move showcases the strength of Central Florida’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. UNIKE first engaged at SpaceCom and then reached out to the Orlando Economic Partnership, which made the introduction to the Incubator’s Soft Landing Program. That program helps established companies build a foothold in Central Florida.
“Central Florida continues to be one of the top places international companies turn to when they want to expand to the United States,” says Rafael Caamano, interim director, Innovation Districts & Incubation Program. “It’s fascinating to watch how we are all working together to continue to grow this industry and others.”
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Contact:
UCF Business Incubation Program: Alan Byrd, Alan Byrd & Associates, 407-415-8470, Alan@ByrdConnections.com
About UNIKE Design and Development: UNIKE design & development GmbH is a company specialized in computer-aided engineering (CAE) and finite element analysis (FEA) We are a team of creative specialists offering engineering services in the fields of finite element analysis (FEA), multibody dynamics simulation (MBD), computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and acoustic simulation. Additionally, we possess the expertise to model the interactions between physics disciplines and offer full Co-Simulation.
Our customers come from various industries, and our projects are just as diverse and exciting. We are always seeking to serve our customers in the best possible way and looking to build a long-term business relationship. For more information, please visit UNIKE.eu
About the UCF Business Incubation Program: The University of Central Florida Business Incubation Program is a community resource that provides early-stage companies with the tools, training and infrastructure to become financially stable, high-growth/impact enterprises. Since 1999, this award-winning program has provided vital business development resources, resulting in over 300 local startup companies reaching their potential faster and graduating into the community where they continue to grow and positively impact the local economy.
With nine facilities throughout the region, the UCF Business Incubation Program is an economic development partnership between the University of Central Florida, the Corridor, Lake, Orange, Osceola and Seminole Counties, and the cities of Eustis, Kissimmee and Orlando. In 2023, current incubator clients supported over 1,000 employees and generated over $120 million in revenue. Nineteen companies graduated from the program and remained in the local community. For more information, visit www.incubator.ucf.edu
