#USF is committed to supporting faculty-led research, and we’re excited to share that a new cohort of projects has been selected to receive Early-Stage Innovation funding! Led by @USFResearch and @FloridaHighTech, the program provides seed funding to help advance technologies toward market readiness. 🔗 Read about this year’s awardees: ow.ly/9Fkt50Z1a8N

@EmbarcCollectiv's 2nd Annual Early-Stage Venture Summit brought founder-CEOs from 91 early-stage, high-growth tech companies from 20 cities across the state of Florida and early-stage investors from almost 50 VCs and Angel Groups from across the SE Region of the U.S. to Tampa Bay. Our goal? To connect Florida's top early-stage tech startups with a network of early-stage venture capital investors and angel groups, making investment capital reachable for startups that are pursuing market traction. The event featured networking opportunities to foster meaningful investor-founder connections and curated content for founders and investors that included keynotes and presentations from: 💠J. Alex Kelly, who leads @FLACommerce as the @FLSecofCommerce. 💠@JoshPherigo, Principal Researcher for Market Insights, @SiliconVlyBank, and co-author of SVB's biannual "State of the Markets" Report. 💠Tony DiBenedetto @TonyTribridge, Executive Chair and former CEO, @Appspace, founder and chair, @ThinkBigforKids, and founder and former CEO, TriBridge. 💠Ryan Schneider, cofounder and CEO, @Thrive25Labs and Embarc coach. 💠Kate Heath, SVP Marketing & Communications, @GroupCertus and Embarc coach. 💠Kailah Matyas, founder and CEO, K & Co Talent Partners and Embarc coach. 💠@KoenigKris88727, VP and GM, AI & Collaboration GTM, @RingCentral and Embarc coach. And panel discussions with investors and ecosystem leaders, including: 💠@SaxonBaum, Managing Partner, FLF. 💠Rachel Feinman, Senior VP Innovation, Ventures, and Digital Innovation, @TGHCares and TGH Ventures. 💠Ken Hall, Partner, @DeepWorkCapital. 💠Monique Villa Capra, Managing Partner, Daytrip Ventures. 💠Elizabeth Nelson, Director, @FloridaHighTech. 💠Scott Chamberlin, Managing Director, Venture Banking Group-Eastern US, @CustomersBank. A shout out to the Embarc Collective member companies and founders who took the stage for fireside chats with investors: 💠Nathaniel Hartwig, founder and CEO at BiaTech Corporation, with Rachael Ferm, Director of Investments at FLF. 💠SaLisa Berrien, founder and CEO at @COI_Energy, with Junior Gaspard Principal at @FulcrumEquity. 💠Rafael Fernandes, cofounder and CEO at Compass Health, with Jason Swoboda, PT, Director of Innovation at TGH Ventures. 💠Augie Schmidt, founder and CEO at REHQ, with Rachel Ferm. A BIG thank you to our sponsors: Florida Funders, Fulcrum Equity Partners, Tampa General Hospital (TGH) Ventures, Hill Ward Henderson, and Delta Air Lines. Florida-based growth-stage companies, mark your calendars on October 21-22, 2026 for @EmbarcCollectiv's second annual Growth-Stage Venture Summit for Florida-based high-growth tech companies with more than $1 million in annual revenue. Stay tuned for more information about the two-day Summit here: embarccollective.com/venture…. #Startups #HighGrowth #VentureCapital #Founders #Technology #Innovation #EcosystemBuilders #StartupTB #StartupFL @TBBJnewsroom @TampaBayInno @techtampabay @FLChamber @FLChamberFDN @TB_Times @FloridaTrend

Yesterday’s Lunch & Learn brought together leaders from the @FloridaHighTech, @USF_IAE, USF Technology Transfer, and USF University Community Partnerships to show our founders how to tap into the region’s thriving innovation ecosystem. 🤝🚀

Today, @FloridaCommerce Secretary J. Alex Kelly joined Lieutenant Governor Jay Collins, @ElderAffairs Secretary Michelle Branham, @FloridaAPD Director Bob Asztalos, @myFLFamilies Secretary Taylor Hatch, @HealthyFLA Deputy Secretary for Health Dr. Scheppke and @ACHA_FL to host the Florida Health Care Innovation Pitch Day in Orlando. Together with @SelectFLA, Florida Health Care Innovation Council, @FloridaSBDCN, @FloridaHighTech and the @FLAOppFund, this event gave 14 life sciences start-ups the opportunity to showcase their businesses and innovative solutions—ranging from aging and caregiver technologies, digital health, diagnostics, software tools, medical devices and transformational solutions for care delivery and health facility operations—to state leaders and investors.

We’re grateful to share that @FloridaHighTech and @USFResearch are expanding opportunities for undergrad research at #USF, funding programs across the university for 2025-26. Learn more about our Corridor Undergraduate Research Initiative ⬇️ ow.ly/xJkj50Xl6EE

We're excited to share that #USF and @FloridaHighTech are joining the ARK Innovation Center in St. Petersburg! Our partnership will help create a new avenue for startups and entrepreneurs to collaborate with USF students, faculty, and research centers. ow.ly/yNrO50XcpQy

Our CEO, @WaymonArmstrong, spoke at the Community Briefing: Safeguarding Orlando’s MS&T Industry, hosted by @ORLPartnership, @NCSinformation, & @FloridaHighTech. ECS is proud to stand alongside our partners in safeguarding & advancing Orlando’s MS&T community.

@EmbarcCollectiv is excited to announce its inaugural 2025 Venture Capital and Growth Equity Summit, powered by @KKR_Co and @FTVCapital, a two-day event that will be held on October 29-30 in the @ReliaQuest Auditorium at Embarc Collective. This two-day summit reinforces Embarc Collective's commitment to advance Florida’s startup and innovation ecosystem by supporting the full lifecycle of company growth, unlocking sustainable success and transformative impact across the state. Our goal is to connect Florida's top growth-stage tech companies with a national network of venture and growth equity investors, making strategic growth capital more reachable for companies that are ready to scale. Growth-stage tech companies with at least $1M in annual revenues, a proven business model, a growing customer base, and active expansion plans are encouraged to apply to attend the two-day summit here: embarccollective.com/venture…. Day 1 will kick off with an opening keynote on "Florida’s Venture and Growth Capital Landscape" by Ken Hall, Partner at @DeepWorkCapital and the @FLAOppFund, followed by eight investor-founder/CEO fireside discussions and Q&As that will feature Embarc growth stage companies, an opening reception for participants and ecosystem partners, and a VIP Dinner for sponsors, speakers, and panelists. Day 2 will include a full day of interactive presentations, panel discussions, and networking opportunities. Day 2 topics include (preliminary list/to be finalized later this month): 👉 Founder Mindset Shift: Navigating the Mindset Shift from Founder to CEO at Scale 👉 The Choice to Pursue Growth Equity: What Should Founders Prioritize? 👉 Cap Table Clarity: A Tactical Workshop on Ownership and Investor Management and Trust 👉 Alternative Financing: The Pursuit of Venture Debt Financing 👉 Preparing for Strategic M&A Exits Ahead of Time Sponsors/speakers/panelists that have committed to-date include: ✔️ Alan Faulkner, Managing Director at @Stifel ✔️ Bradley Ellis, Managing Director, Head of Venture and Fund Banking at @Stifel ✔️ Dave Felman, Shareholder at @HWHlawfirm ✔️ Ken Hall, Partner at @DeepWorkCapital and the @FLAOppFund ✔️ Richard Liu, Partner at @FTVCapital ✔️ Alexander Malvone, Partner at @FTVCapital ✔️ @brianmurphyRQ, Founder and CEO at @ReliaQuest ✔️ Ben Pederson, Managing Director at @KKR_Co ✔️ @BallastPointVC ✔️ Daniela Tomusko-Yoder, CFO at Triage Partners, and former SVP at @VRCValuation ✔️ David Willbrand, Chief Legal Officer at @PacasoHomes, Professor of Law at @UMichLaw, and EiR at @Techstars Additional sponsors, speakers, and panelists will be announced as they are added to the program. For more info about Embarc Collective, visit embarccollective.com/. #Startups #HighGrowth #Founders #EcosystemBuilders #StartupTB #StartupFL #StartupCincy @TBBJnewsroom @TB_Times @BizObserverFL @stpetecatalyst @FloridaHighTech @flventure @FLChamber

Through the Summer Research Program, undergrads worked alongside @USFBellini faculty on projects in robotics, AI & cybersecurity, a learning experience designed to build future innovators. @USFResearch @FloridaHighTech usf.edu/news/2025/usf-hosts-…

Last evening came to an exciting close as we highlighted the spirit of innovation with our Forward Together Gala and the 2025 State of the Academy address, presented by NAI President Dr. Paul R. Sanberg, FNAI. We celebrated outstanding achievements, shared future plans, and honored the individuals and institutions driving this work forward. We extend a warm thank-you once again to @UCF and @FloridaHighTech for making this special celebration possible! As we look ahead to 2026 and beyond, the momentum from this week will carry us forward with purpose. #Invention #Innovation #NAI2025 #InnovationLeaders #Innovators

Congratulations to the six #USF faculty members who’ve received Early-Stage Innovation Fund awards from @USFResearch and @FloridaHighTech!🤘 Learn more about their work, which addresses critical global challenges in healthcare, education, and security⬇️ ow.ly/67E350WghJK

The NAI 2025 Gala: A Night to Celebrate Innovation Join us in Atlanta on Thursday, June 26 for the culminating event of the NAI Annual Conference: An evening dedicated to honoring the people and ideas shaping the future of innovation. The Gala will celebrate the induction of the newest class of NAI Fellows, spotlight the profound impact of their work, and bring our community together to reflect on a year of progress. The evening includes: • Fellows Cocktail Reception, 6:00–7:00 PM (All are welcome) • Gala Celebration, 7:00–9:30 PM • State of the Academy Address by NAI President Dr. Paul Sanberg, FNAI • Awards and Special Recognitions • A preview of what’s ahead, including a special presentation from our 2026 host institution and the official announcement of the 15th Annual Conference location Enjoy an evening designed to reflect the region, with local cuisine, cocktails, entertainment, and hospitality that capture the spirit of Atlanta. Thank you to our Sponsors, @NJIT, @FloridaHighTech, and @UCF for making this special evening possible! Celebrate with us as we move forward together—innovating with purpose. Register today: cvent.me/my5knD?utm_source=N… #NAI2025 #Innovation #Inventors

The NAI 2025 Gala: A Night to Celebrate Innovation Join us in Atlanta on Thursday, June 26 for the culminating event of the NAI Annual Conference: An evening dedicated to honoring the people and ideas shaping the future of innovation. The Gala will celebrate the induction of the newest class of NAI Fellows, spotlight the profound impact of their work, and bring our community together to reflect on a year of progress. The evening includes: • Fellows Cocktail Reception, 6:00–7:00 PM (All are welcome) • Gala Celebration, 7:00–9:30 PM • State of the Academy Address by NAI President Dr. Paul Sanberg, FNAI 8:00–9:00 PM • Awards and Special Recognitions, 9:00–9:15 PM • A preview of what’s ahead, including a special presentation from our 2026 host institution and the official announcement of the 15th Annual Conference location Enjoy an evening designed to reflect the region, with local cuisine, cocktails, entertainment, and hospitality that capture the spirit of Atlanta. Thank you to our Sponsors, @NJIT, @FloridaHighTech, and @UCF for making this special evening possible! Celebrate with us as we move forward together—innovating with purpose. Register today: cvent.me/my5knD?utm_source=N… #NAI2025 #Innovation #Inventors

Dear President John Nicklow: Please state publicly...did you rephrase, alter, or obsfuscate DEI language in any way @ Florida Tech which resulted in the retention of DEI methods, agenda, objectives, etc. Please clearly state what you did.

You're a corrupt piece of 💩 You need to resign in abject shame. I hope you're smart enough to be holding your head low right now.

Resign before get arrested…

Resign NOW, fu🤴beach…!

Resign

Welp .. I’m guessing his funny stunt just cost him millions in Grants. 🤷🏻‍♀️

I just read your statement where to stated that OKeefe is well known for deceptive editing. More lies from you. You clearly sought to obtain funds by deceptive editing of your own. You are sleazy and underhanded.