ORLANDO TECHNOLOGY SUPPORT GRANT
The Orlando Technology Support Grant expands the City of Orlando’s continued commitment to creating an environment for entrepreneurship as a critical component of the region’s innovation ecosystem. In collaboration with Innovate Orlando's Orlando Tech Community (OTC), the grant program provides funding support for Orlando technology-focused activities and programs.
The program provides lump-sum, matching grants to help organizations and companies develop tech-focused events that unite the local tech workforce and community. The City of Orlando funded $65,000 which will be divided equally among four winners.
Applications are now closed, thank you for the submissions. Winners will be notified by April 9, 2024 with announcements to follow.
Please be sure to read through all application requirements & criteria below before applying.
Application link can be found at the bottom of this page.
Judges will evaluate all applications and final awards determinations will be made by April 9, 2024
ORLANDO TECHNOLOGY SUPPORT GRANT
The Orlando Technology Support Grant expands the City of Orlando’s continued commitment to creating an environment for entrepreneurship as a critical component of the region’s innovation ecosystem. In collaboration with Innovate Orlando's Orlando Tech Community (OTC), the grant program provides funding support for Orlando technology-focused activities and programs.
The program provides lump-sum, matching grants to help organizations and companies develop tech-focused events that unite the local tech workforce and community. The City of Orlando funded $65,000 which will be divided equally among four winners.
2024 WINNERS
Indienomicon Foundation
Orlando Devs
Tech Sassy Girlz
Veterans Entrepreneurship Initiative
Stay tuned for updates on their upcoming events & programs
PROGRAM GOALS
Five key goals provide a framework for the program:
- Increasing the connection and collaboration among start-up and existing tech companies
- Building the tech talent pipeline
- Catalyzing private capital investments
- Increasing Orlando’s reputation as a tech hub
- Supporting diverse representation across the local tech ecosystem
AWARD PROCESS
This is a competitive grant program. Applications will be assessed by a panel of five volunteer judges recruited by Innovate Orlando to reflect breadth of expertise in areas considered critical to assessing the viability of the activities and programs. Each judge's expertise represents at least two of five areas:
- Entrepreneurial ecosystem building: Increasing Orlando’s reputation as a tech hub
- Access to capital: Catalyzing private capital investments
- Cross-sector innovation development: Increasing the connection and collaboration among start-up and existing tech companies.
- Talent development and cross-industry
integration and building the tech talent pipeline - Marketing and Communications: Impact to the community
SELECTED JUDGES
All judges will submit written disclosures of conflicts of interest and recuse themselves from evaluating the specific application for which there is a conflict. Additionally, the Innovate Orlando staff will not serve on the judging panel.
Paul Sohl, Florida High Tech Corridor
Donna Mackenzie, Group LM3
Daniel Perez, Crummer Center for Advanced Entrepreneurship
Amy Beaird, Ecosystem Builder, Consultant
APPLICATION ELIGIBILITY & CRITERIA
Eligibliity Requirements
To be eligible for this program, each applicant must have:
• A minimum 1-year history of producing the activity/program or similar activity/program
• At least one dedicated (paid or volunteer) administrator
• A reputation for excellence and credibility
• The capability to attract attendees on a regional level
• 10% match of funds requested – may be in-kind. Proof must be shown with application.
Application Criteria
Qualifying applications will be evaluated across six categories with numerical scores to be assigned by each judge:
1. Technical compliance to application guidelines. If an application is found to be outside the program guidelines, the project will be disqualified (1 point)
2. History of producing the activity/program or similar activity/program (2 points)
3. Dedicated organization to plan the activity/program (2 points)
4. Effective marketing strategies, having a significant and positive impact on the perception of the City of Orlando as a dynamic community and tech hub (2 points)
5. A demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion (1 point)
6. Proven audience seeking specific programming (2 points)
Total score potential: 10 points
HOW WILL THE AWARD BE GRANTED?
Grant Payment
If deemed necessary to initiate the activity/project, a portion of the approved funding may be paid in advance as specified and validated in the grant application. Advance payment shall not exceed 50 percent of the total grant funding awarded. Subsequent to or in the absence of any advance payments, funding support shall reimburse costs already incurred and as payable upon successful milestone completion specified in the activity/project plan portion of the grant application or as determined by OTC staff in cases where awards are deemed appropriate by judges in the absence of predetermined milestones.
Grantees are required to compile a report with pictures, receipts, etc. Details are listed in the rubrics attachment. OTC staff may inspect events on-site and throughout the planning duration, including as part of the milestone verification process.
*If report isn’t submitted within 90 days from the completion of the event, awardee will be disqualified from ever applying to a City of Orlando grant.
Ready to Apply?
APPLICATION
All applications must be received by 11:59pm on Friday, March 15, 2024.
QUESTIONS?
Any questions regarding the Orlando Technology Support Grant may be directed to Ashley McMullan
