Read the latest news about North Florida’s premier R&D park specializing in magnetics, aero-propulsion, advanced power systems and high-performance materials
January 2018 Update
The application is now available for the 2018 TechGrant!
The Leon County Research and Development Authority is now accepting applications for the prestigious Innovation Park TechGrant competition. Apply today to win up to $15,000 in tech commercialization funding, as well as exclusive access to the TechGrant Winners’ Circle, and a full scholarship to our Entrepreneurial Excellence Program.
Need more information? On Monday, February 12th at 4pm at the Knight Administrative Centre in Innovation Park (1736 W. Paul Dirac Dr., Tallahassee, FL 32310), there will be an orientation meeting for the TechGrant program. We strongly encourage anyone who is planning to apply for the TechGrant to attend this meeting. Click here to learn more about the TechGrant program.
Danfoss to Expand by adding an additional 44_000 sq. ft. facility
Danfoss Turbocor is expanding its Innovation Park location by building an additional 44,000 sq. ft. facility. This expansion will add an additional 120 new full time research and development jobs within advanced manufacturing. Construction is expected to be completed in 2019.
Danfoss is a prime example of a business that flourishes due to its close proximity to university research institutions in a research park setting. This expansion strengthens the existing partnership Danfoss has with the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering, National MagLab, other nearby research institutions and Tallahassee’s community. It also serves to, once again, distinguish Innovation Park and Tallahassee-Leon County as a competitive global research and development location.
Magnetics Technologies tapped for Tallahassee’s Path to Riches
The MagLab and Danfoss Turbocor were featured in an article from the Tallahassee Democrat on January 20th, where they discussed the MagLab’s importance for attracting companies that rely on magnetic technology. Danfoss Turbocor President, Ricardo Schneider is heading a magnetics task force designed to make attracting these types of companies an economic priority. The Office of Economic Vitality is in the process of hiring a person who can sell this opportunity to prospective companies.
In addition, FSU is planning to build an Interdisciplinary Research and Commercialization Building that will allowed companies to reserve space and conduct collaborative research with faculty members and use the facility’s unique instruments.
Overall, these discussions and plans can poise Tallahassee to be a hub for magnetics technology, as long as there is a strategic and orchestrated approach.
new Wednesday Food Truck! The highly requested, Kübano Food Truck is authentic Cuban Food made fresh to order. Menu items range from traditional pressed Cuban sandwiched to fried plantains to pan con pollo.
Kübano is expected to start Wednesday, January 24th -make sure to check them out in front of Shaw from 10am-2pm!
EEP helps Companies like Gulf Coast Tung Oil on Road to Success
Established in 2011, the Entrepreneurial Excellence Program is Tallahassee’s first startup training program aimed at entrepreneurs to help guide them through the early stages of business development. Since the beginning over 140 participants have graduated from the program and gone on to run successful businesses. Greg Frost, CEO of Gulf Coast Tung Oil is one example of how the EEP program helps turn a startup concept into an entrepreneurial success story. After a 30-year career in law enforcement administration, Greg launched his company Gulf Coast Tung Oil, and participated in the first EEP class. When he enrolled all he had was an idea and a rough business plan. “After spending more than 30 years in law enforcement administration I was ready to own my own business,” Greg stated. “EEP helped me deal with what I needed in order to start a business, but it goes even further and helped me transition into actually running the business.”
Six years later, his company is currently the only one in the United States to grow and process its own tung nuts for tung oil, which is used for various applications including wood finishing, paint, printer ink, and even as a metal protectant. The demand for tung oil is increasing every year with numerous major manufacturers, as well as smaller customers, reaching out to Gulf Coast Tung Oil for its products. In 2017, the company sold completely out of its tung oil supply.
To read more about Greg Frost and Gulf Coast Tung Oil’s story, click here.
EEP Class 14 will be beginning on Tuesday, March 20th. This 10-class course is highly interactive, mentor-driven, and provides valuable guidance to early stage startup businesses and aspiring entrepreneurs as they navigate through the vulnerable stages of business development. The EEP program utilizes a unique approach of 10 dynamic and engaging classes led by several successful local business leaders who share their unique insights and real-world experiences. Topics included funding, business development, team building, and marketing. The classes provide an experience not available anywhere else in Tallahassee. Perhaps most importantly, the relationships that participants build with the business leaders who volunteer their time to teach the classes, and also with each other, endure long after the final class.
The course fee is $300 for two people from the same company to attend the class. Innovation Park is offering an additional $100 off for teams that sign up and pay for the class by February 20th. Fee includes dinner at each class, all course materials, and access to the Entrepreneur’s Club @ Innovation Park. For more information and to apply for the upcoming class, click here. Classes always reach capacity before the start date, so don’t delay. Once EEP Class 14 is at capacity, no new applications will be accepted.
Save the dates for these two event highlighting science in our community!
The National High Magnetic Field Laboratory Annual Open House takes place on Saturday, February 24th from 10am to 3pm in Innovation Park. This free event features something for visitors of every age from hands-on demonstrations, self-guided tours and the chance to meet and chat with scientists and other MagLab Staff. This year’s theme is where Sports and Science meet, and attendees should expect to have a ball!
For more information about the Open House, click here.
This year’s Discovery on Parade will be taking place on Thursday, March 1, 2018 from 5:30-8:00pm at the Turnbull Conference Center. This always fun and dynamic event provides a showcase preview of exciting inventions, discoveries, and new technologies coming out of Florida A&M University, Florida State University and Tallahassee Community College.
For more information about the 2018 Discovery on Parade, click here.
Gateway District: The Southwest Access Plan
Last month, FSU requested a three month delay in seeking approval for the Gateway District proposal. On March 1, the Intergovernmental Agency will vote on the proposal to create a cohesive east-west corridor across Lake Bradford Road to seamlessly connect Florida A&M University, FSU, Innovation Park and the Airport to the urban core. If approved, this project:
Provides gateway improvements for multiple roadways in the southwest, including substantial improvements in pedestrian, bicycle, and vehicular safety.
Places a high priority on the protection of neighborhoods and significant environmental features.
Opens up new economic opportunities and supports existing businesses by enhancing access to, and visibility of, both Innovation Park and Tallahassee International Airport.
Ensures visitors arriving and departing via the Tallahassee International Airport travel an aesthetically pleasing route that reflects local beauty and vitality on any route taken.
Provides funding for right-of-way acquisition for future widening of Springhill Road.
Both FSU and the Blueprint Intergovernmental Agency will hold upcoming public meetings for residents and those who work in the area to learn more about the project and provide feedback. Those dates are still being scheduled.
Click here to learn more about the project details.
Share your News with Us!
Innovation Park publishes this monthly newsletter to highlight the accomplishments in our community. If you would like to share your exciting news, please e-mail Dbilbow@inn-park.com
