Partners
Economic Development Partners
The Association of Public Land-Grant Universities Commission on Innovation, Competitiveness and Economic Prosperity is focused on: 1) understanding and defining the expanding university role in local and regional innovation; 2) expanding the tools and metrics for universities to measure and explain their role to a wide range of audiences; and 3) gaining a better understanding of the innovation ecologies in which A-P-L-U institutions operate.
Through a series of workshops and meetings, the Commission will assemble a set of tools, resources and standards of practice that universities can utilize to make the most effective contribution to innovation and economic growth.
Members should include: academic affairs; research and graduate administration; public and governmental affairs; business and engineering departments; and outreach, economic development, and technology transfer and entrepreneurship programs.
The Association of University Research Parks (AURP) promotes the development and operations
of research parks that foster innovation, commercialization and economic competitiveness
in a global economy through collaboration among universities, industry and government.
BioFlorida, Florida's independent statewide bioscience organization serves its members
by providing the infrastructure to exchange information and ideas through industry
specific programming, education, networking and legislative initiatives.
BioFlorida focuses on creating and maintaining a favorable business and legislative environment, advancing the commercialization of research and working with investors, private enterprise, government, academia and the financial and service sectors to further develop existing companies, launch start-up companies and attract new business to Florida.
The Bradenton Area Economic Development Corp. (EDC) is recognized by Enterprise Florida
as the lead economic development organization for the Bradenton Area's nine communities
located on the south side of Tampa Bay. The EDC works to diversify the local economy
by attracting and retaining high-wage jobs for area residents, and connecting existing
businesses to the resources they need to succeed.
City of Sarasota
The City of St. Petersburg's mission is to provide efficient and effective public
is to provide efficient and effective public services that protect and enhance services
that protect and enhance sustainability of our environment and sustainability of our
environment and the quality of life in St. Petersburg.
City of Tampa
Our Mission: To deliver professional services to our community while promoting, protecting
and preserving the heritage, natural resources and quality of life for future generations
of our amazing city.
The Economic Development Corporation of Sarasota County is a successful public/private partnership focused on growing and diversifying the economy of Sarasota County, while enhancing the county's unique natural and cultural environments.
Enterprise Florida, Inc. (EFI) is a public-private partnership between Florida's business
and government leaders and is the principal economic development organization for
Florida. EFI's mission is to expand and diversify the state's economy through job
creation.

The Florida Economic Development Council (FEDC) is a primary resource for policy development,
legislative updates, education, networking and professional advancement. Over 500
professionals statewide count on FEDC to provide leadership, communications, peer
recognition and networking.
The Florida Institute for the Commercialization of Public Research (the Institute)
is Florida's One-Stop-Shop for investors and entrepreneurs who seek to identify new
opportunities based on technologies developed through publicly-funded research. The
Institute facilitates new venture creation through commercially-viable technologies
in major industries that are driving the global economy, including clean energy, life
science, information technology, aviation and aerospace, homeland security/defense,
and other emerging sectors.
The Institute showcases technologies and companies originating from publicly-supported organizations across the state. Commercially-viable discoveries are paired with seasoned entrepreneurs and investors to ensure their growth and success. In addition, the Institute manages the Seed Capital Accelerator Program and other capital attraction programs for emerging companies.
The Florida Medical Manufacturers Consortium (FMMC) is a statewide association of
medical technology firms. The FMMC exists to unite, promote and grow the Florida medical
device industry, and to enhance the business success of its member companies.
The Florida Network of Research Science and Technology Parks (Florida Network) was
formed as a collaborative effort to expand the state's global standing in technology
and research based industry and to advance the economic growth of the state. The Florida
Network links the state's universities and businesses.
Florida is uniquely positioned to become the nation's leader in innovation spawned by its many research, science and technology parks. The goal of the Florida Network is to triple the number of people and the economic contribution of our research parks within two decades. The network will assist America as it regains worldwide leadership in the research and development arena.
The goal of The Florida Venture Forum is to help ensure the success of entrepreneurial ventures by offering expert counsel, educational advice and managerial assistance.
The Florida Venture Forum is a 501(c)(6) non-profit organization that is supported locally by private companies, service providers, venture capitalists and academic institutions.
The Florida Virtual Entrepreneur Center (FLVEC) is a web portal designed to provide
a robust and easy-to-use resource for local entrepreneurs to find information and
services to support their new or growing business.

The St. Petersburg Area EDC's mission is to enhance the community's economic prosperity
through marketing, activation and connection.
The Chamber is a not-for-profit business membership organization that helps promote
the businesses and business interests of our members.
The Tampa Innovation Alliance is a multi-jurisdictional district anchored by globally-recognized
institutions who drive economic activity in the area, engaging tens of thousands of
students and educators, healthcare workers and patients, and four million tourists
annually.
InBIA is a global non-profit organization that has welcomed and supported entrepreneurial
organizations for over 30 years. Serving a diverse group of entrepreneurship centers,
program managers, directors and policymakers, we help guide, mentor and develop sustainable
entrepreneur support programs in every industry and demographic around the globe.
Our goal is to enrich the entire ecosystem by providing industry resources, education,
events and global programming to help our members better serve the needs of their
unique communities and regions.
Formed in 1987, the Pasco Economic Development Council (Pasco EDC) is the lead economic development organization dedicated to the overall growth and prosperity of Pasco County through the development of a sustainable and diversified economy.
Pinellas County Economic Development (PCED) works with existing businesses to encourage
expansion and seeks to attract new companies with high-wage careers to our community.
SRI International's Marine Technology Program, located in St. Petersburg, Florida,
specializes in the study of surface and subsurface marine environments. These studies
involve experiments, research, development, deployment, and operations of advanced
sensors and their systems.
The staff conducts research and engineering in optics, acoustics, MEMS, mass spectrometry, and related marine sciences.
SSTI strengthens initiatives to create a better future through science, technology,
innovation and entrepreneurship.
Our mission is to create a more unified, competitive and prosperous region. The Tampa
Bay Partnership galvanizes the region's most visionary, influential and engaged business
leaders, along with a diverse group of community stakeholders, to identify and address
the critical economic issues impacting Tampa Bay. We serve as thought leaders and
change agents, advancing our shared priorities through collaboration, education and
collective advocacy. Together, our efforts deliver results that positively affect
the strength and vitality of the region and those who live here, now and in the future.
The Tampa Bay Technology Forum (TBTF) is a group dedicated to achieving successful
and thriving technology-based businesses in the Tampa Bay area.
The Tampa Hillsborough Economic Development Corporation (EDC) is the lead economic
development agency for Hillsborough County and the cities of Tampa, Plant City and
Temple Terrace.
Established in 2009 as a partnership between the public sector and private corporate investors, the EDC works with local, national and international companies to facilitate sustainable, diverse job growth and capital investment, resulting in increased prosperity and opportunity for our community. For more information, please visit our website which is listed below.
The University Economic Development Association (UEDA) focuses on the nexus between higher education institutions and economic development partners.
UEDA's mission is to serve its members by enhancing members' abilities to deliver economic development benefits through engagement with higher education.
The USF Foundation connects the university with donors who want to make a difference
by providing private, philanthropic support to promote student success, academic initiatives,
research and other strategic priorities of the University of South Florida.