Partner Organizations

 

	The Association of Public Land-Grant Universities Commission on Innovation, Competitiveness and Economic Prosperity is focused on: 1) understanding and defining the expanding university role in local and regional innovation; 2) expanding the tools and metrics for universities to measure and explain their role to a wide range of audiences; and 3) gaining a better understanding of the innovation ecologies in which A-P-L-U institutions operate. Through a series of workshops and meetings, the Commission will assemble a set of tools, resources and standards of practice that universities can utilize to make the most effective contribution to innovation and economic growth. Members should include: academic affairs; research and graduate administration; public and governmental affairs; business and engineering departments; and outreach, economic development, and technology transfer and entrepreneurship programs. http://www.aplu.org
	The Association of University Research Parks (AURP) promotes the development and operations of research parks that foster innovation, commercialization and economic competitiveness in a global economy through collaboration among universities, industry and government. http://www.aurp.net
	BioFlorida, Florida’s independent statewide bioscience organization serves its members by providing the infrastructure to exchange information and ideas through industry specific programming, education, networking and legislative initiatives. BioFlorida focuses on creating and maintaining a favorable business and legislative environment, advancing the commercialization of research and working with investors, private enterprise, government, academia and the financial and service sectors to further develop existing companies, launch start-up companies and attract new business to Florida.  http://www.bioflorida.com
	The Florida Business Incubation Association (FBIA) shares information and develops programs that support the successful growth and operation of business incubators throughout Florida. http://www.fbiaonline.org
	The Florida Economic Development Council (FEDC) is a primary resource for policy development, legislative updates, education, networking and professional advancement. Over 500 professionals statewide count on FEDC to provide leadership, communications, peer recognition and networking. http://www.fedc.net/
	The Florida High Tech Corridor Council (FHTCC) was established by the Legislature in 1996 to attract, retain and grow high tech industry and to help develop the workforce to support those industries in the 21-county service areas of the University of Central Florida (UCF) and the University of South Florida (USF). In January 2005, the Council welcomed the University of Florida (UF) as a full partner of this unique economic development initiative, merging the strengths of three world-class universities and bringing the number of Corridor counties to 23. Florida’s High Tech Corridor Council’s mission is to attract, retain and grow high tech industry and the workforce to support it within the 23-county Florida High Tech Corridor. The industries targeted for growth within the Corridor are: Aviation & Aerospace; Information Technology; Medical Technologies & Life Sciences; Microelectronics & Nanotechnology; Modeling, Simulation and Training; and, Optics and Photonics.  http://www.floridahightech.com
	The Florida Virtual Entrepreneur Center (FLVEC) is a web portal designed to provide a robust and easy-to-use resource for local entrepreneurs to find information and services to support their new or growing business.  http://www.flvec.com
	The goal of The Florida Venture Forum is to help ensure the success of entrepreneurial ventures by offering expert counsel, educational advice and managerial assistance. The Florida Venture Forum is a 501(c)(6) non-profit organization that is supported locally by private companies, service providers, venture capitalists and academic institutions. http://www.floridaventureforum.org
	Hillsborough County Small Business Information Center coordinates small business development and advocacy for small, minority and women owned businesses in Hillsborough County. The Center offers small business workshops and free business counseling and has small business resource material available. http://www.hillsboroughcounty.org/sbic/home.cfm
	Mote Marine Laboratory has been a leader in marine research since it was founded in 1955. Today, Mote incorporates public outreach as a key part of their mission. Mote is an independent nonprofit organization and has seven centers for marine research, the public Mote Aquarium and an Education Division specializing in public programs for all ages. http://www.mote.org
	The National Business Incubation Association (NBIA) is the world's leading organization advancing business incubation and entrepreneurship. It provides thousands of professionals with the information, education, advocacy and networking resources to bring excellence to the process of assisting early-stage companies worldwide. http://www.nbia.org
	SRI International's Marine Technology Program, located in St. Petersburg, Florida, specializes in the study of surface and subsurface marine environments. These studies involve experiments, research, development, deployment, and operations of advanced sensors and their systems. The staff conducts research and engineering in optics, acoustics, MEMS, mass spectrometry, and related marine sciences. http://www.sri.com
	STAR Technology Enterprise Center’s mission: Accelerating entrepreneurial success…STAR Technology Enterprise Center (STAR TEC) is the Tampa Bay area's first technology and manufacturing accelerator.  Housed within the Young-Rainey Science, Technology and Research Center, a former Department of Energy facility, STAR TEC supports the growth of early stage manufacturing and technology-based companies, enabling them to migrate their product/service to market more rapidly and effectively.  http://www.startecflorida.com
	The Tampa Bay Partnership is the regional organization that works with its partners to market the region nationally and internationally, to conduct regional research and to coordinate efforts to influence business and government issues that impact economic growth and development. http://www.tampabay.org/
	The Tampa Bay Technology Forum (TBTF) is a group dedicated to achieving successful and thriving technology-based businesses in the Tampa Bay area.  http://www.tbtf.org
	The University Economic Development Association (UEDA) focuses on the nexus between higher education institutions and economic development partners. UEDA’s mission is to serve its members by enhancing members’ abilities to deliver economic development benefits through engagement with higher education.  http://www.universityeda.com