Hi friends,

We made it to Thursday and oh what a week it was! On Wednesday night, 100+ engineers, founders, and builders packed Tech Hub Orlando for the O’Devs Summer Meetup, co-hosted with Orlando Tech Community. The energy was real—because the people building this city’s future are showing up. 

This morning, we’re on the floor at R-CON, the digital twin conference pulling global players into a conversation that’s been happening here for decades. Simulation, infrastructure, defense tech—Orlando doesn’t just participate, it moves the market. 

Let’s break down why the world is paying attention.  

The Vanguard of Artificial Intelligence 

Orlando’s AI ecosystem is a powerhouse, driving transformative impact across industries. Lake Nona, now hailed as the “Tech Coast,” is a national hub for edge AI and autonomous systems with companies like Beep, is contributing to Central Florida’s multi-billion-dollar tech economy. In 2025, Stax Payments co-founders Sal Rehmetullah and Suneera Madhani secured $25 million for Worth AI, a fintech platform revolutionizing credit decisioning for SMBs, serving clients like Aurora Payments with triple-digit revenue growth, amplifying Orlando’s fintech leadership. Meanwhile, Orlando Health’s Digestive Health Institute is leveraging AI to detect pancreatic cancer early, outperforming traditional methods by 15% in detection rates. From urban innovation to healthcare breakthroughs, Orlando’s AI landscape is diverse, dynamic, and globally resonant. 

Pioneering Health and Precision Technologies 

Orlando’s health and photonics sector is redefining care with precision and purpose. Rothman Orthopaedics, the Orlando Magic’s team physician, has partnered with Dimension Ortho to harness 3D printing for orthotic solutions, cutting production time by 40% and enhancing patient outcomes. Laser Photonics, a local leader, regained Nasdaq compliance in 2025, signaling financial stability and a 20% year-over-year revenue increase in precision manufacturing. Stephanie Trunzo’s appointment to the Lake Nona Impact Forum Advisory Board solidifies Orlando’s role as a healthcare thought leader, fostering collaborations that drive medical advancements. This is innovation that delivers measurable change. 

Fortifying Defense and Simulation Excellence 

Orlando’s defense and simulation sector, anchored by the Central Florida Research Park, UCF, and Central Florida Tech Grove commands global attention. The Training and Simulation Industry Symposium (TSIS) 2025, held June 17-18 at the Rosen Centre Hotel, drew over 500 defense leaders to explore procurement opportunities with the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, and Air Force. An Orlando AR defense training company, Red 6 was featured in AXIOS and Virtualware USA and HTC VIVE’s partnership with UCF is advancing digital engineering, impacting over 10,000 students and professionals annually. Two Orlando-headquartered companies shared big news: Mtron’s $5.5 million naval contract supports advanced weapon systems, while Terasynth’s Advanced Resupply and Fire Suppression Autonomous System (ARFAS) cuts wildfire response times by 25%. Orlando’s tech is mission-ready, serving national security and beyond.  

Gaming & Creative Tech 

UCF’s FIEA Funhouse reimagines VR interaction. Mount Dora’s Steamroller is forging its own path with Spice Frontier. And Dr. Carolina Cruz-Neira’s (interim Executive Director of the Institute of Simulation & Training at UCF) story reminds us that the best immersive tech is both artistic and applied. Add the IAAPA Expo’s growth plans, and Orlando’s legacy as a creative capital expands far beyond rides. 

Energy & Environment 

Orlando-based Mitsubishi Power tested a 50% hydrogen blend with Georgia Power and PureCycle just earned a new sustainability certification. This isn’t sustainability theater. It’s resilient system design with commercial and environmental payoff. 

Startups & Investment 

Orlando’s startup ecosystem is gaining national traction. With a regional talent pool fed by more than 500,000 students within a 100-mile radius, the region is on pace for 27% tech job growth by 2030. EY named Raj Toleti of Andor Health as Entrepreneur of the Year for transforming healthcare communication using voice and AI, impacting over 10,000 care providers. Swiss fintech giant Temenos announced plans to expand into Orlando, and a local dev team, Around the World in 80 Builds, ranked among the top six at MIT’s Reality Hack and presented at AWE 2025 to over 7,000 attendees. In Orlando, talent builds, capital follows, and the cycle continues. 

Education & Research 

Education and research are the backbone of Orlando’s innovation economy. UCF’s five 2025 NSF CAREER Award recipients secured $3.5 million to tackle emerging challenges in computer science and engineering. The Institute for Simulation & Training’s faculty received IEEE’s Test of Time honors for foundational work impacting over 20,000 professionals worldwide. 

Limbitless Solutions welcomed 12 NSF-funded undergrads this summer, offering them hands-on research opportunities in bionics and human-computer interaction. LPC and CMS Laser are deploying robotic automation to fill labor gaps, increasing productivity by 30%. Laser Photonics, a local leader in precision manufacturing, recently regained Nasdaq compliance—signaling financial stability and continued growth. Orlando not only develops talent—it retains it. 

Infrastructure & Transportation 

Orlando’s infrastructure investments aren’t just ambitious, they’re strategic. The Central Florida Expressway Authority’s $4 billion plan is upgrading regional mobility for over 2.5 million residents. Orlando International Airport, which served more than 50 million passengers last year, is now testing simulated air taxis, positioning itself as a proving ground for urban air mobility. 

Meanwhile, the Expressway Authority is piloting AI-powered systems to prevent wrong-way driving, already reducing incidents by 10% in early trials. This isn’t future-ready transit—it’s future-proofing in action. 

Cybersecurity 

Need to tighten your digital perimeter? UCF’s Kevin Moran is breaking down the human side of cyberattacks, everything from phishing to baiting. Local firms are publishing proactive hurricane,season tips for enterprises. If you’re in defense or healthcare, these aren’t optional checklists, they’re operational mandates. 

Community & Recognition 

Let’s not forget the wins that round out a thriving region. PR firm Twentytwo & Brand racked up three national awards. A third grader from Orlando took home top honors in a national invention contest for sustainable tourism. And local leaders like Garima Shah continue to redefine what financial innovation looks like. 

Each story shared this week underscores Orlando’s breadth—not just across sectors, but through tangible results that define tech-driven growth. Orlando’s sectors aren’t operating in silos—they’re converging around capability, not just vision. And for anyone still looking for proof that this is a serious innovation hub, the evidence just keeps stacking up. 

From AI-driven cancer detection to wildfire-fighting robots, from billion-dollar fintech bets to NSF-funded student research—Orlando is where capability meets conviction. Check out all the links to the stories below plus the full line up of upcoming events below.  
 

Want in? Join Innovate Orlando—individual memberships, sponsorship opportunities, and custom activations at Tech Hub Orlando are all available. Reach out to Sheena@InnovateOrlando.io and let’s build something real. 

— Sheena