COMMITTEES AND TASK FORCES DRIVING IMPACT
Tech Connect 2.0 Task Force | Branding Task Force | Start Up Committee | Collective Impact Committee
Task force and committee participation included in sponsorships.
Contact ashley@innovateorlando.io for more information or to join
TECH CONNECT 2.0 TASK FORCE
This task force steers Phase 2 of Tech Connect, our digital ecosystem map and the to create cross-industry teaming opportunities. The mission: create intuitive, visible access to Orlando’s innovation economy for founders, talent, investors, and industry fast tracking opportunity.
MONTHLY MEETINGS
REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI): SHAPE ORLANDO’S INNOVATION ECONOMY INFRASTRUCTURE
THE PROBLEM
Orlando is a hub of talent, innovation, and ambition, but meaningful connections between startups, enterprises, investors, and community resources often depend on chance encounters or personal networks. This approach is neither scalable nor equitable. We aim to change that by creating a digital engine that powers collaboration, accelerates economic growth, and ensures inclusive access to opportunities.
We’re building a next-generation digital platform to serve as the connective tissue for Orlando’s innovation economy. This tool will:
- Enable precise technical capability matching to connect startups with enterprise customers and local contractors to augment teams.
- Facilitate cross-sector collaboration by surfacing opportunities like speaking engagements, funding programs, and pilot partnerships.
- Provide personalized resource discovery for founders, creatives, investors, and enterprises, including grants, talent, and mentorship.
- Reflect Orlando’s unique creative and technical DNA, emphasizing industries like tourism, gaming, simulation, and the arts.
- Prioritize equity and inclusion, ensuring underrepresented founders, small businesses, and rural entrepreneurs have access to opportunities.
The platform will be smart, dynamic, and scalable, leveraging AI and real-time data to drive weekly engagement. It will be mobile-friendly, embeddable on our website, and openly accessible, with enhanced features for Innovate Orlando members.
THE ASK
We’re seeking bold, actionable ideas from engineers, UX designers, product managers, community builders, tech companies, and ecosystem experts to shape a platform that redefines how Orlando’s innovation ecosystem connects. Whether you’re an individual innovator, a startup, an established company, or an academic institution, we want your input.
THE TIMELINE & NEXT STEPS
RFI Submission Deadline: Monday, August 4, 2025
Review and Analysis: RFP to be released Q3 2025
Between now and the submission deadline, we invite you to review this vision and share your perspective. If you’re interested in participating, please submit your ideas, examples of relevant platforms or technologies you’ve built, and any questions by August 4, 2025. After the deadline, our team will review all submissions, identify key insights, and incorporate them into the formal RFP.
Companies and individuals who participate in the RFI will receive priority consideration and early access to the RFP when it is released in Q3 2025. Selected contributors may also be invited to exclusive informational sessions and co-design workshops to help shape the platform’s requirements. This is your opportunity to help build a tool that unlocks new possibilities for Orlando’s innovation community, let’s create it together.
BRANDING TASK FORCE
A select group shaping how the world sees Orlando’s innovation economy.
This task force defines the scope of our media engine and leads the charge on launching a bold, unified brand for the region’s innovation story. Supports the spring Innovate Orlando conference.
MONTHLY MEETINGS
STARTUP COMMITTEE
A unified group of founders, tech professionals, investors, support orgs, and community leaders.
We align on programming, share resources, and co-host everything from founder dinners to tech meetups—strengthening Orlando’s startup culture and amplifying the impact of our professional networks. Supports Annual Awards Dinner.
MONTHLY MEETINGS
COLLECTIVE IMPACT COMMITTEE
This is where support organizations collaborate. Shared access to the Tech Hub, co-located space, coordinated programming, and collective impact reporting. A quarterly meeting anchors shared priorities and ecosystem alignment.
MONTHLY MEETINGS