UCF Stands
For Opportunity
From
thrilling theme parks to
forward-thinking research
parks, Central Florida
has made its mark on the
world’s
stage. Home of the country’s
6th largest university—the
University of Central Florida—and
some of the world’s
most innovative private
and public companies,
this dynamic area has
emerged as a region that
provides world-caliber
ideas for everything
from entertainment to
aerospace, high technology
to health care.
UCF is experienced in developing and promoting the commercial benefits
of its research and high-tech expertise. UCF promotes the technology-led
economic development for the Metro Orlando community by aiding in the
transfer of technology and business skills between the university and
industry teams. From nanoscience to optics and photonics, and from simulation
and training to forensic science our research faculty brings together
scientists from across the globe to develop new technologies.
UNIversity Economic Development
University
Economic Development assists
in the creation, attraction
and retention of technology-based
companies to the Florida
High Tech Corridor and
the State of Florida. University
Economic Development provides
economic development consulting
services to internal and
external constituencies.
For more information, 407-882-2103
| eschons@mail.ucf.edu.
UCF Foundation
The University of Central Florida Foundation builds opportunities for
the students, faculty and staff of UCF. Contributions through the foundation
are the building blocks of the university that create opportunities for
students within the community, faculty to conduct innovative research
and alumni to create lasting relationships with the university. For more
information, foundation.ucf.edu.
ucf office of Research and Commercialization
UCF’s
research enterprise plays
an important role in Florida’s
emergence as a technological
and economic leader in
the 21st century. Research
awards have risen steadily
over the years to FY2007’s
record $121 million,
ushering UCF into the
ranks of major research
institutions. UCF’s
dedicated faculty, students,
and staff continue to
expand the quality,
depth and breadth of
research programs conducted
at the university.
The knowledge economy encourages the rapid progression of discoveries
from the laboratory to the marketplace, and UCF is a national leader in
this area. The success of the UCF Technology Incubator, the establishment
of the Disney/SBA National Entrepreneurship Center, the UCF Orange County
Venture Lab and the UCF Technological Entrepreneurship Center all illustrate
UCF’s commitment to innovation-based economic development in the
region. For more information, www.research.ucf.edu
| 407-823-3778.
UCF OFFICE OF TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER
The University of Central Florida strives to be the leading partnership
university in the United States. As part of this effort, UCF collaborates
with industry and new start-ups to commercialize the intellectual property
developed by UCF inventors. Through its collaborative efforts UCF delivers
valuable technology to partners who create community development. For
more information, tt.research.ucf.edu
| 407-823-1136.
UCF COLLEGES, CENTERS AND INSTITUTES
Through its ten colleges and leading centers and institutes in areas
including photonics, materials, modeling and simulation, biomedical sciences,
nanotechnology, energy, and others, UCF provides the education and innovative
research required to support a knowledge-based, wealth-producing economy.
With a dozen regional campuses located throughout Central Florida, UCF
offers the entire region a foundation for economic growth. For more information
visit: www.research.ucf.edu | 407-823-3778.
Center
for Entrepreneurship and
innovation
The
UCF Center for Entrepreneurship
and Innovation (CEI), a
program of UCF’s
College of Business Administration,
offers innovative educational
opportunities for students
throughout campus including
courses that improve understanding
of technology venture emergence
and success. The UCF-CEI
actively cultivates mutually
beneficial partnerships
with university, business,
and government leaders that
enhance the university’s
education programs, research,
and commercialization productivity.
For more information, visit: www.cei.ucf.edu |
407-823-3683.
UCF ORANGE COUNTY VENTURE LAB
The UCF Orange County Venture Lab, a partnership between UCF’s
College of Business Administration, Office of Research & Commercialization,
and Orange County Government, provides free business advice and a variety
of educational workshops to help faculty, students and community entrepreneurs
commercialize their research and business ideas.
The lab’s experienced business coaches and mentors help create and
nurture technology companies with real-world service and access to programs,
such as Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR), and business workshops.
For more information, www.venturelab.ucf.edu
| 407-823-1442.
UCF SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CENTER
The UCF Small Business Development Center is supported by the College
of Business Administration and the Small Business Administration. The
center, which is located in the Disney/SBA National Entrepreneur Center
in downtown Orlando, provides business seminars and free one-on-one counseling
for small business owners. Serving an eight-county area that includes
Brevard, Flagler, Lake, Orange, Osceola, Seminole, Sumter and Volusia
counties, the UCF SBDC maintains four regional offices in addition to
the main office in Orlando and is a part of the Florida Small Business
Development Center Network. In 2005, the UCF SBDC provided counseling
and training to over 6,000 individuals. This activity contributed to 78
new business starts and 497 new jobs. For more information, www.sbdcorlando.com
| 407-420-4859.
UCF TECHNOLOGY INCUBATOR
The
incubator provides early
stage technology companies
with the enabling tools,
training and infrastructure
to create financially stable
high-growth enterprises.
Since opening in 1999,
the incubator has served
more than 100 emerging
technology
companies, which have generated
nearly 800 jobs with an
average salary of $60,000
and more than $200 million
in revenues. The incubator’s
rigorous programs include
mentoring and advising
in all aspects of business
development and growth.
For more information,
www.incubator.ucf.edu |
407-882-0202.
DISNEY/ SBA NATIONAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP CENTER
The Disney/SBA National Center contributes to economic development by
providing a one-stop shop for entrepreneurs. The NEC has 11 on-site partners
who provide services to the small business community, including one-on-one
counseling, business plan assistance, financial assistance, training seminars
and networking. The founding partners of the NEC are the U.S. Small Business
Administration (SBA), University of Central Florida, Orange County Government
and Disney Worldwide Services.
The mission of the NEC is to be a leading catalyst for entrepreneurial
growth and success. Since its inception in June 2003, the center has counseled
and trained over 26,000 clients, facilitated over 214 business start-ups,
and created and retained approximately 2,400 jobs. For more information,
www.floridanec.org | 407-420-4883.
SMALL BUSINESS ADVISORY BOARD COUNCIL
The council acts as a matchmaker between Central Florida businesses and
volunteers. By forming advisory boards, the council helps businesses reach
outside experts that can aid in the growth and development of the company.
The council’s goal is to positively impact Central Florida businesses
by helping to increase revenue and profit, create new jobs, increase wages,
reduce costs and delivery times, and improve customer service. For more
information, www.advisoryboardcouncil.org
| 407-420-4850.
CENTRAL FLORIDA RESEARCH PARK
The 1000-acre plus Central Florida Research Park, which is affiliated
with UCF, is ranked among the top ten research parks in the nation. The
research park is home to over 100 companies, 10,000 employees, many of
them students and UCF graduates, and elements of the U.S. Army, Navy and
Marines, as well as university departments and projects. For more information,
www.cfrp.org | 407-282-3944.
INSTITUTE
FOR ECONOMIC COMPETITIVENESS
The Institute for Economic Competitiveness, established by UCF’s
College of Business Administration, was created to foster a healthy relationship
among academia, business, and government. The institute serves commerce
and government as a single point of contact with economic information
resources. The IEC aims to expand public understanding by convening business
leaders, scholars, policy makers, civic groups and media to discuss critical
issues, at the intersection of academia, government and business. For
more information. www.iec.ucf.edu | 407-823-1453.
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