By Sheena Fowler, CEO, Innovate Orlando
Some weeks tell a bigger story—and this is one of them.
What we’re seeing in Orlando right now isn’t just growth. It’s alignment. Across industries, organizations, and communities, the dots are connecting—and the result is a region that’s gaining national attention and global relevance.
If you work in tech, simulation, defense, entertainment, cybersecurity, or anything in between, here’s what you need to know about what’s happening across the ecosystem this week—and where you can plug in.
💥 Big Wins for Orlando Tech
AI, Cyber, Infrastructure & Federal Contracts
Orlando’s tech credibility took a major leap with these wins:
- Fortress awarded a $919M AI contract by the federal government to secure U.S. supply chains. That’s not just a company win—it’s a regional milestone.
Read more » - ClearSky Technologies teams up to improve global network performance with its Total Traffic Manager platform.
Read more » - ThreatLocker expands into Saudi Arabia with a new data center. Local cybersecurity, global scale.
Read more »
🎢 Orlando’s Experience Economy Expands
Where Tech Meets Entertainment
- Vekoma Rides, a global coaster manufacturer, is expanding its U.S. HQ in Orlando—bringing jobs and reinforcing our position in themed entertainment engineering.
Read more » - accesso® adds major new clients, bringing Orlando-made entertainment tech to venues nationwide—from stadiums to historic theaters.
Read more »
🧠 Education, Inclusion, and Future Talent
Why It All Starts Here
- A UCF student just won the 2025 Joust competition with a company built to support academic success. Local founder. Local impact.
Read more » - Orlando’s New American Home is breaking ground not just in design, but in purpose—with autism-friendly features backed by local leadership.
Read more »
📅 Where to Be This Week
From pitch competitions to simulation strategy, here are the events shaping what’s next—this week alone:
- SPEAR Accelerator Demo Day
Defense + dual-use tech startups take the stage
Details » - Veteran Business Summit (VEI)
A hub for military-connected entrepreneurs
Register » - Startup Weekend Orlando (SWORL)
Pitch, build, and launch in 54 hours
Join » - Florida Simulation Summit
Orlando’s strongest sector, on full display
[Info Coming Soon] - Cenfluence Cluster Events
Collaboration across sectors
Explore » - Regional Leadership Forum
Aligning strategy across Central Florida
RSVP » - Founders Dinner (Invite Only)
Curated connections fueling the startup engine
Apply for an invite by tonight, 4/25
Why It Matters
We’re not just growing—we’re aligning.
Orlando’s innovation economy is connecting founders, enterprise, academia, and government in ways we’ve long envisioned—and now it’s accelerating.
Whether you’re building a company, scaling a team, or looking to plug into what’s next—this is your moment to get involved.
Let’s keep building.
| Join the movement by becoming a member of the Orlando Tech Community to propel Central Florida’s tech and innovation ecosystem |
| Champion Highlight |
| Brenner Innovation, headquartered in Lake Nona, is a strategic advisory firm that plays a pivotal role in Orlando’s burgeoning tech ecosystem. With a focus on early-stage innovation, the firm excels at guiding startups and established companies through critical growth phases by simplifying execution, reducing operational friction, and fostering consensus among leadership teams. Founded by David Brenner, who was instrumental in scaling PureCycle Technologies to a Nasdaq-listed company, Brenner Innovation brings a wealth of experience in strategic leadership, financial modeling, and business development. Their commitment to the local tech community is further demonstrated through active participation where they serve as Champions of the Orlando Tech Community fostering connections and collaboration among Orlando’s innovators. Learn more at Brenner Innovation. |
| OTC News |
| Apply by 4/25 for an invitation to this exclusive invite only dinner |
| APPLICATIONS DUE TONIGHT! The Central Florida Founders Dinner returns on May 8th, gathering founders from across the region for a relaxed evening of connection, storytelling, and shared wisdom. No stage, no pitches—just honest conversations over a great meal. This special event is proudly supported by DeepWork Capital and Florida High Tech Corridor, key champions of early-stage innovation in Central Florida. |
| Join the Tech Connect Committee – Help Shape Phase 2! Last year, we launched Phase 1 of a powerful public-facing resource platform to map and connect Orlando’s thriving tech ecosystem. Explore it here: Orlando Tech Community Map |
| Now, we’re gearing up for Phase 2—led by our new CEO, Sheena Fowler—and we want YOU to be part of it. Whether you’re passionate about building community, improving access to resources, or shaping the future of tech in Orlando, this is your chance to make an impact.Join the Tech Connect Committee and help drive innovation forward |
| Orlando’s tech scene, all in one place. From meetups to moonshots, if it’s happening in innovation, it’s on our calendar. |
| Got Tech News or Events? Share Them With Us!We want to make sure we’re highlighting all the incredible things happening in Orlando’s tech community! If you have an upcoming event, major milestone, or exciting news that we may have missed, send us the details. |
| Need a Venue for Your Next Event or Workshop? Host at Tech Hub Orlando! |
| Conveniently located in Downtown Orlando, we offer rental spaces including conference rooms, breakout rooms, auditorium, reception space, and more! Tech Hub Orlando is more than just a space—it’s a home for Central Florida’s tech and innovation community. Designed to foster collaboration, growth, and connection, our hub is here to support startups, entrepreneurs, and businesses looking to make an impact. Contact us for more info! |
