New partnership consolidates support services for technology firms throughout Central Florida
Orlando, Fla. (November 12, 2024) – With a goal of supporting and scaling local technology companies, three organizations have come together to create a one-stop shop for those businesses.
Now open, Tech Hub Orlando provides nearly everything a tech company could need throughout its lifecycle. From early- and idea-stage companies looking for market validation to established companies looking for new innovations, the Tech Hub Orlando will be a key spot.
Tech Hub Orlando is a partnership of the UCF Business Incubation Program, Innovate Orlando and OMG Labs. In addition, StarterStudio, The Florida High Tech Corridor, Indienomicon Foundation and other groups will offer support services at the new facility. Currently, nearly three dozen companies are utilizing offices or co-working space in Tech Hub Orlando
The new location is at 36 W. Pine Street in a historic building that has been used by the university for decades. At 11,500 square feet, the new space is nearly three times the size of the space in the historic Kress Building that housed the Downtown Incubator and StarterStudio for the past two years.
Tech Hub Orlando features a wide variety of options for business owners, from a desk in a co-working space to full office suites. The space has five breakout rooms, two lecture halls for 60 people, an auditorium for 150 people and an instructional lab that holds up to 30 people.
In October, during the space’s soft opening period, more than 350 people came to Tech Hub Orlando for multiple public events, like Indienomicon Game Jams, Startup Weekend, 1 Million Cups and GrowFL. The event spaces will be available for any technology company or organization to rent on an as-needed basis as well.
What they are saying:
UCF Business Incubation Program: “As we’re focused on scaling companies, it’s clear our technology companies are looking for very specialized services and we believe this is a key step toward creating that ecosystem essential to building Central Florida as a technology center.” – Rob Panepinto, director, Innovation Districts Strategy and Partnerships and senior strategic advisor, Partnerships and Innovation, University of Central Florida
Innovate Orlando: “The future of our tech industry will be brighter as we work together to create unique spaces and gathering places where innovators and entrepreneurs can experience being part of a community – this community,” – David Adelson, CEO, Innovate Orlando.
OMG Labs: “Creativity is rarely accomplished in isolation and by launching Tech Hub Orlando, we’re providing that place where creatively can thrive collectively – Kunal Patel, executive director, OMG Labs.
City of Orlando: “The City of Orlando is proud to be a part of this endeavor as we continue the momentum of being a city known for innovation. The more support we can give to the companies utilizing this center will create more jobs and economic development for our entire region,” Councilwoman Shan Rose, City of Orlando, District 5.
StarterStudio: “At the beginning stage of any startup venture, founders often feel they are on an island. We are part of Tech Hub Orlando to show our entrepreneurs they are not alone, but part of a broader technology and innovation community that offers a vast array of resources to support their journey.” Dawn Haynes, CEO, StarterStudio and President, Orlando Tech Community.
###
For more information, please contact: Alan Byrd, Alan Byrd & Associates, 407-415-8470, Alan@ByrdConnections.com
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, Seminole and Volusia Counties, and the cities of Eustis, Kissimmee, Orlando and Winter Springs. 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.
About Innovate Orlando: Innovate Orlando is a Florida-based nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization committed to advancing the Central Florida region as a thriving hub for innovation, entrepreneurship, and technology. Through collaborative programs, mentorship, and events, Innovate Orlando connects startups, investors, industry leaders, and educators to create a supportive ecosystem that nurtures growth and drives economic development. By empowering diverse innovators and fostering transformative ideas, Innovate Orlando strengthens the local community and enhances Orlando’s role on the global stage as a leader in the future of technology and business.
For more information, visit www.innovateorlando.io/.
About OMG Labs: OMG Labs is a frontier technology incubator and collaborative coworking space dedicated to building high-tech products, services innovation in Central Florida. Specializing in game development, artificial intelligence, 3D simulations, augmented and virtual reality, interactive content, and storytelling-based marketing, OMG Labs offers a vibrant hub where developers, artists, designers, sound engineers, and tech creators can converge and thrive. From solo entrepreneurs to growing and established teams, OMG Labs fosters the growth enabling scale from initial concepts to multi-million-dollar enterprises. By connecting innovators and providing essential resources, OMG Labs fuels the evolution of next-generation technology. For more information, visit www.omglabs.pro.
About StarterStudio: StarterStudio is Central Florida’s only non-profit early-stage tech startup accelerator. The combination of world-class educational programming, industry-specific and startup-specific mentoring, and pre-seed funding makes StarterStudio a unique, valuable, and powerful asset to the economic development of the region. StarterStudio works with partners throughout Central Florida to strengthen the tech startup ecosystem and to elevate the region in the eyes of investors, educating them about the advantages of investing locally in tech startup companies. It is only through support of others – including local government, academic institutions, corporate sponsors, individual donors – that StarterStudio’s important mission is fulfilled. For more information, please visit StarterStudio.org