Hello friends,
Another week, another wave of momentum for Orlando’s innovation ecosystem. From national defense wins and smart city pilots to creative economy breakthroughs, here’s what you need to know:
Orlando at the Center of Simulation & Immersive Tech Excellence
Orlando continues to lead the charge in immersive technology—and we’ve got two major events to prove it.
April 9–10: The Central Florida Immersive Technology Summit hits the Central Florida Tech Grove, hosted by the VR/AR Association of Central Florida. As the official media sponsor, Innovate Orlando will be on-site capturing the breakthroughs, big ideas, and local leaders shaping the future of XR. Get your tickets here
May 9: The 2025 Florida Simulation Summit returns with a powerhouse lineup, featuring Disney, Unity, Beep, Honeywell, and TransformXD. Expect conversations at the intersection of AI, simulation, and immersive tech—all driving smarter cities, safer systems, and stronger economies. Event details here
And in gaming news: UCF’s video game programs were just ranked among the best in the world—a huge win for our talent pipeline. Pair that with EA’s announcement that Madden NFL and EA Sports FC are headed to Nintendo Switch 2, and it’s clear: Orlando’s gaming and simulation ecosystem isn’t just growing—it’s thriving.
Defense + AI = Big Wins for Local Innovators
Axiom AI, an Orlando-based startup, landed a million-dollar DoD contract to build next-gen AI agents. At the same time, Fortress Government Solutions received Impact Level 6 accreditation from the U.S. Navy—the highest level for cloud security. These wins reinforce our region’s rising profile in national defense and government tech.
Smart Cities, Health Innovation, and Infrastructure
Plug and Play announced 11 new startups selected for its smart cities program—including five from Central Florida. Local firms are also innovating in health care, according to a great WFTV piece on how our providers are balancing tech and patient care. Meanwhile, Lynx is eyeing a $58M project in Osceola to build a major new operations center—creating new possibilities for mobility and logistics.
Creative Economy + Talent Recognition
The Immerse Festival added $1.5M to Orlando’s economy, proving that creativity is an economic engine. And congrats to Orlando leaders Ricardo Garcia (VEI) and Ken Hall (DeepWork Capital) on being named to the 2025 40 Under 40—powerful voices in entrepreneurship and venture capital.
More Headlines You Shouldn’t Miss:
- Orlando startups made noise at Synapse in Tampa, proving we’re competitive statewide.
- NASA awarded a grant to Florida Tech to support autonomous systems research.
- Gentex acquired VOXX International, with implications for connected vehicle tech and entertainment.
- Merlin Magic Making announced layoffs in Lake Wales—reminding us to support our local creative workforce.
- Orange County’s workgroup is pushing hard to bring Florida’s film industry back to life. We’re watching this closely.
It’s weeks like these that make it easy to be bullish on Orlando. The convergence of simulation, AI, space, entertainment, and smart infrastructure is happening here—and Innovate Orlando is working every day to keep our community connected, informed, and empowered.
Let’s keep building,
Sheena Flower
CEO
Innovate Orlando
| Technology & Innovation HighlightsClick below to learn more |
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| Join the movement by becoming a member of the Orlando Tech Community to propel Central Florida’s tech and innovation ecosystem |
| Champion Highlight |
| The University of Central Florida (UCF) Business Incubation Program is a driving force behind technology, innovation, and entrepreneurship in Central Florida. By providing early-stage companies with the resources, mentorship, and connections they need to grow, the program has helped fuel the region’s tech ecosystem and economic development for over two decades. Through a strong commitment to community and collaboration, UCF’s incubator supports startups in diverse industries, from cutting-edge tech and software development to groundbreaking research and innovation. Learn more at incubator.ucf.edu. |
| OTC News |
| 📅 Date: April 9, 2024🕒 Time: 9amEST 📍 Location: LinkedIn Live 🔗 Register now: Event Link |
| Founder Fireside Chat with Zachary Eikenberry Join us for an insightful conversationwith Zachary Eikenberry, Co-Founder & CEO of Hook Security, as he shares his entrepreneurial journey—from launching innovative education models to building a successful cybersecurity company. With over 14 years of startup experience, Zach will dive into the challenges, lessons, and breakthroughsthat shaped his path in SaaS, innovation, and leadership. Don’t miss this chance to gain actionable insights and inspiration from a visionary founder! |
| Celebrating 25 Years of the UCF Business Incubation Program Join us for a very special evening as we honor 25 years of impact from the UCF Business Incubation Program and celebrate the incredible leadership of CarolAnn Dykes Logue, who has been at the heart of Central Florida’s innovation journey.We’re bringing together local leaders, founders, and changemakers to reflect on our collective progress and toast to the future of innovation in Orlando. Special Guests Include: Mayor Buddy Dyer, City of Orlando Dr. Alexander Cartwright, President, UCF Founding visionaries including Tom O’Neal, CarolAnn Dykes Logue, and more This evening will include:Fireside chats with key leaders and foundersA special proclamation from the MayorA tribute to CarolAnn’s enduring legacyNetworking with Orlando’s growing tech community Hosted by: Innovate Orlando and the Orlando Tech CommunityWith special thanks to our sponsors: University of Central FloridaPwCAVT SimulationEngineering and Computer Simulations (ECS) Program begins at 5:45 PM sharp – don’t miss the Mayor’s proclamation and opening remarks! 📅 Date: Tuesday, 4/15/25🕒 Time: 5:30 – 8:30pm📍 Location: Tech Hub Orlando, 36 W Pine St. Orlando, FL 32801 RSVP Today! Register Here |
