The University of South Florida Research Park has been named the 2022 Outstanding Research Park by the Association of University Research Parks — an international nonprofit organization that represents research parks and innovation districts. This award encourages continuous evaluation and development of best practices for the research park community and USF’s selection for the award is a testament to its execution on vision and the science conducted within.
The USF Research Park brings together world-class researchers, inventors and entrepreneurs eager to collaborate with a highly-trained, high-tech workforce. It’s currently home to more than 65 companies, dozens of student-led startups as well as academic, state and federal labs. Its capacity has recently grown with the spring grand opening of a new state-of-the-art research center that deepens the connection between university innovation and the business community, helping advance the Tampa Bay region’s growing startup ecosystem.
“We are honored that the University of South Florida’s Research Park is receiving international recognition for the work taking place in our robust and renowned research enterprise,” said USF President Rhea Law. “USF’s Research Park serves as a vibrant home for supporting the Tampa Bay region’s rapidly growing innovation economy and solving global problems. The recent expansion of the park represents our commitment to expanding the university’s work in this area and helping our researchers, inventors and partners flourish.”
“The USF Research Park is a significant economic driver for the Tampa Bay region and an important asset when it comes to attracting top life sciences and biotech companies to our area and developing our homegrown talent,” said Craig J. Richard, president and CEO of the Tampa Bay Economic Development Council. “The latest additions to the Research Park and future planned investments will continue to strengthen our region’s competitiveness.”
USF’s innovation and economic development efforts generate more than $582 million in statewide impact each year, sustain more than 4,000 jobs and return more than $71 million in tax revenue to local, state and federal coffers, according to a 2019 analysis from the Washington Economics Group, a leading national firm. Eighty-two percent of the jobs created by USF innovation statewide are in the knowledge-based services sector. The research enterprise is a key element to USF’s annual economic impact of more than $6 billion.