Each Orlando-based organization will receive a portion of a $65,000 grant to develop local tech-focused programs and events
UPDATE: May 1, 2023 – Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer, the Orlando Economic Partnership, the Orlando Tech Community and regional leaders and partners held a private luncheon on Monday, May 1, 2023 to celebrate the Orlando Tech Support Grant recipients. Representatives from the four winning organizations were recognized for their accomplishments.
Orlando, Fla. – In collaboration with the Orlando Economic Partnership (the Partnership) and the City of Orlando, the Orlando Tech Community is announcing four recipients will receive a portion of a $65,000 grant to develop local tech-focused programs and events.
A panel of non-biased judges from across the technology industry reviewed each submission, selecting recipients based on how their proposal met the five key goals that guide the grant program: increasing the connection and collaboration among startup and existing tech companies; building the tech talent pipeline; catalyzing private capital investments; demonstrating a commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion; and increasing Orlando’s reputation as a tech hub.
Over the past several years, Orlando has become known as a hub for advanced technologies and innovation, as well as for our supportive tech and entrepreneur-friendly atmosphere where grassroots and volunteer-driven organizations alike grow and thrive.
Mayor Buddy Dyer, City of Orlando
“We are proud to partner with the Orlando Economic Partnership to further ensure our city is providing equitable opportunities for residents to be part of our innovation-based economy by creating programs that grow our city’s tech and entrepreneurial community and fuel our culture of collaboration,” said Dyer.
The $65,000 grant will be divided equally among the four recipients with each organization receiving $16,250.
While we selected fewer winners this year, the recipients are being awarded more money to provide them with more support and value to help them succeed.
David Adelson, Orlando Economic Partnership Chief Innovation Officer
“Each organization impacts the various audiences and stakeholders of Orlando’s innovation ecosystem and their events will work to bridge the divide between entrepreneurs and the larger business community,” said Adelson.
iBuild Central Florida
The iBuild Construction Technology Summer Camp will show students how software and technology are used on construction sites, including mapping every aspect of a building, using drones to find construction defects, and robots that create floor plans on concrete slabs. iBuild hopes students will leave with a new appreciation of the technology incorporated in building our community.
Tech Sassy Girlz
The Tech Sassy Girlz Conference is a free one-day STEM conference for girls that includes an introduction to STEM through hands-on demonstrations, engineering design challenges, STEM challenges, and provides an opportunity to hear from women in STEM about their career trajectory. Additionally, the girls will have an opportunity to network with women technology leaders.
Orlando Science Center
Spark STEM Fest is a four-day STEM festival, previously known as Otronicon Science Festival, which brings leaders in Central Florida STEM industries together to present an expo, workshops, video game competitions, lectures and more for Orlando Science Center visitors to raise awareness of the value of STEM in everyday life, help bridge the STEM literacy gap, work towards equitable access in STEM, and to encourage exploration and pursuit of STEM careers.
Social Employment & Educational Impact
TechStars Startup Weekend is a global phenomenon in more than 150 countries with close to 200,000 alumni. Over a single weekend participants will pitch brand-new business ideas, form teams, validate customers, present to a judging panel and compete for prizes.
Congratulations to all the recipients. The Partnership, along with the rest of the Orlando region’s business community, looks forward to seeing the incredible work from these organizations that will accelerate Orlando’s innovation-based economy.
For more information or to schedule an interview, please contact Justin Braun at 407.902.0211 or at Justin.Braun@Orlando.org.
