The program provides lump-sum grants to help develop tech-focused events that will unite the local tech workforce and community.
For the third consecutive year, the City of Orlando is partnering with the Orlando Tech Council (OTC) to offer the Orlando Technology Community Support Program. The program provides lump-sum, matching grants up to $10,000 to help organizations and companies develop tech-focused events that unite the local tech workforce and community. The City of Orlando funded $65,000 that will be combined with $10,000 of un-awarded funds rolled over from the previous year, bringing this year’s total pool to $75,000.
The full grant program overview and application can be found on Orlando.org/TechGrant. Applications must be submitted through the website by midnight on Friday, February 25, 2022.
“As part of the city’s economic development strategy, we continue to focus on growing and nurturing a strong tech and entrepreneurial community in Orlando”
Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer
“We are pleased to continue our partnership with the Orlando Tech Council to fund this program and support technology focused activities and initiatives that will build our tech talent pipeline and increase Orlando’s reputation as a tech hub,” said Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer.
Five key goals provide a framework for the grant program:
- Increasing the connection and collaboration among startup and existing tech companies
- Building the tech talent pipeline
- Catalyzing private capital investments
- Increasing Orlando’s reputation as a tech hub
- Supporting diverse representation across the tech ecosystem
“This opportunity provides critical support during an important time for our region’s innovative organizations and companies, and we are thrilled to partner with the City again on this endeavor.”
David Adelson, Orlando Economic Partnership executive director of technology and innovation
“As we begin to return in-person, support of events and programs like these is crucial,” said David Adelson, executive director of technology and innovation for the Orlando Economic Partnership.
The five returning volunteer judges include industry and community leaders that reflect the breadth of expertise in areas considered critical to assessing the viability of the event:
- Sydney Rossman-Reich – Managing Partner, PRN
- Kathy Chiu – Managing Partner, DeepWork Capital
- Stacie Ruth – Senior Vice President of Virtual Care, Best Buy Health
- Orrett Davis – Commander of Growth & Founder, Mighty Orbit
- Sherry Gutch – Business Development Division Manager, City of Orlando
Learn more about each judge on the program website Orlando.org/TechGrant. All judges will submit written disclosures of conflicts of interest and recuse themselves from evaluating a specific application for which there is a conflict. Additionally, the Orlando Economic Partnership staff will not serve on the judging panel.
Last year’s grant winners include programs for Black Orlando Tech, Datakind, Foundation for OCPS, Intern Pursuit, Orlando Science Center and Starter Studio. For a full list of winners from previous years and more information on each project, click here.
Announcements of awardees will be made by posting to the Partnership website, Orlando.org by April 15, 2022.
For questions, contact David Adelson, executive director of technology and innovation, at david.adelson@orlando.org
About the Orlando Tech Council
The Orlando Tech Council, a critical component of the Orlando Economic Partnership, is composed of private industry, resource organizations and public partners that work to develop new programs with the core objectives: strengthen the Orlando region’s innovation resources, create new opportunities for companies to scale, and to amplify the region’s success stories, raising the global profile of Orlando as a leading community for entrepreneurship and innovation.
