Apopka Marks Tenth Location for UCFBIP Expansion the City of Apopka Is Mayor John H
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Quarterly Newsletter of the UCF Business Incubation Program Quarterly Newsletter of the UCF Business Incubation Program Volume 5 Issue 10 Summer 2012 Apopka Marks Tenth Location for UCFBIP Expansion The City of Apopka is Mayor John H. Land. home to the newest location for The facility is equipped with a the UCF Business Incubation state-of-the-art training room that Program. Expanding to ten sites seats 40, with a large computerized across Central Florida, the Apopka presentation board and modern site is located at 325 S. McGee facilities as well as plenty of Avenue, providing easy access to parking to accommodate training major arterial highways, with the events and small seminars. goal to attract promising startup Gordon Hogan, director of companies that will generate the UCF Business Incubation new jobs and fuel new economic Program, said Compendium activity. Software Systems LLC, a woman- The City of Apopka and the University of Central Florida Business Incubation Program recently held opening ceremonies “We are happy to have the owned, high-tech small business, is in Apopka for its 10th Incubator. On hand to cut the ribbon at the facility were (left to right) Randy Berridge, Florida University of Central Florida the first client company to operate High Tech Corridor Council; Dr. Tom O’Neal, UCF Office of Research and Commercialization/founder of the Incubation Business Incubator - Apopka from the 8,000 square foot facility. program; J. William Arrowsmith, City of Apopka commissioner; Richard Anderson, chief administration officer, City of Apopka; Mayor John H. Land, City of Apopka; Joe Kilsheimer, Apopka city commissioner; Gordon Hogan, director of the program in our community and “We were previously working UCF Business Incubation Program; Marilyn Ustler McQueen, City of Apopka commissioner; Richard Parks, site manager look forward to exciting things of the UCF Business Incubator in Apopka; and State Rep. Brian Nelson. (Photo credit: Mafer Montezuma Photography) happening in Apopka,” said CONTINUED ON PAGE 6 Dr. Tom O’Neal Recognized as One of the Top Florida Newsmakers Florida Trend Magazine recognized Dr. Tom O’Neal, associate vice president of Research in the Office of Research and IN THIS EDITION Commercialization at UCF, as “One of the Top Florida Newsmakers in 2011”. Dr. Pages 2-3 Message From Tom, Calendar, Board Profiles O’Neal was hailed as a “Job Farmer” and Pages 4-5 NBIA Honored, NASCAR donates to UCF, profiled as an exceptionally notable political Florida Companies to Watch 2012 and governmental figure for the year, due to Page 9 UniKey Swims with Sharks, Angel Fund Created his outstanding leadership with the GrowFL Pages 10-11 CleanTech to SpaceTech, Dr. O’Neal in Jordan, Golden Brothers Movie, Cenek Earns Endorsement program. Pages 12-15 Client Profiles GrowFL, managed under UCF’s Florida Page 16 Program Graduate ApECOR Economic Gardening Institute, was created by the state of Florida in 2009, to provide assistance to “second-stage” businesses that READ ONLINE have demonstrated potential for growth in targeted industry lists. The program provides technical and educational assistance Use your smartphone QR reader and read this newsletter online! CONTINUED ON PAGE 6 Photo credit: Brook Pifer The Accelerator UCFBIPQuarterly NewsletterAdvisory of the UCF Board Business Incubation Profiles Program The UCF Business Incubation Program has established a strong Advisory Board to coordinate the efforts of both the University and the Message From Tom community in providing tools and resources that enhance the prospects for the commercial success of developing companies. The Board UCF Business serves as a liaison between the Incubator, the University, and the Central Florida community. Visit www.incubator.ucf.edu for the full board list. Welcome to the Summer issue of The helping entrepreneurs, something which cannot Incubation Program at symposiums to the local community about She served as president of the Board for the first three Accelerator… the quarterly newsletter of be done without the support and partnerships Heather Bond Vargas intellectual property protection. years of their operation, and the STAR Center’s UCF’s Business Incubation Program. The from the local community. President Hitt’s Advisory Board Vargas is a native of Daytona Beach. After medical center is named for her and her family. purpose of this newsletter is to keep our goal to make UCF the leading partnership Members 2012-2013 Heather Bond Vargas joins receiving her undergraduate and law degrees from Having worked with owners of start-ups for most clients, partners, sponsors, volunteers and university has helped establish UCF as a place the UCF Business Incubation the University of Richmond, she practiced law in of her career, Vargas is passionate about helping owners staff informed about the activities of the UCF for growth, progress and prosperity for both Richard Anderson Bill McDermott Program as a new member of California before returning to Florida in 1999. She is of small businesses protect their ideas. According to City of Apopka Seminole Co. Business Incubation Program (UCFBIP). the local community and the State of Florida. the Advisory Board. Vargas is Board Certified by the Florida Bar as an IP attorney, Vargas, “Owners of startups are passionate about their Economic The level of support that we have helped to a shareholder at Cobb & Cole Randy Berridge Development where she is only one of about 150 in the State of ideas and brilliant in what they do, but unfortunately P.A., where she has practiced A warm welcome to assemble for local entrepreneurs in the Central Florida High Tech Florida and the only one in the Volusia-Flagler they don’t always know the business side of things. all. It is an exciting Florida community is truly amazing, and I Corridor Council Dean Monaco since 1999. Her intellectual property practice community. I look forward to being involved with the UCFBIP. time for everyone at would like to extend my sincere gratitude for MyInnoVenture focuses on trademarks, copyrights, and licensing and In addition to her intellectual property practice, It’s a phenomenal program for the clients to develop Scott Blankenship administrative dispute proceedings. She has written the UCF Business everyone who has helped pitch in. I encourage Vargas was actively involved in the development and a solid business foundation, as well as assist in the Lake County Michael J. several articles about intellectual property issues Incubation you to read about our expansions, milestones O’Donnell fundraising effort to build the STAR Family Shelter economic development of the community.” for local publications, and has regularly presented Program as we and upcoming events at www.incubator.ucf.edu. Rebecca Borders UCF Faculty / MOD in Daytona Beach for homeless families with children. Mayor, City of St. Ventures LLC celebrate the Sincerely, Cloud opening of the Belinda Ortiz Rich Karl Airport, is promoting the synergy with the airport incubator.“ The NextGen program, transforming tenth location in Apopka while expanding to Tom O’Neal, Ph.D. Terence F. Brennan City of Kissimmee and the County’s growth. Karl is currently trying to the national airspace system, is a multi-billion dollar Hutchison Law Economic As a fourth generation native more than 130 current client companies. Associate Vice President develop the airport in hopes to enhance the region, initiative to move from ground based radar technology of Daytona Beach, Rick Group Development “This effort goes hand-in-hand with the economic to satellite-based technology. This technology is It is fitting that UCF also celebrates the Office of Research & Commercialization Karl – Director of Aviation development efforts in our region, with our focus bringing industry leaders from all over the country to twentieth anniversary of President John C. Hitt’s Executive Director, UCF Business J. Douglas Drymon Tony Ortiz, and Economic Resources for City of Leesburg Commissioner being in the aviation and aerospace sector,” said Karl. the test bed at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. tenure at the university. The mission of the Incubation Program Volusia County – knows the City of Orlando The recent decision in Volusia County to support Understanding that we are in a dynamic and Business Incubation Program is really all about importance of supporting the Phil Ehlinger the University of Central Florida’s Business Incubator challenging economic time, Karl fully believes that local economy to help a city Daytona Beach Randall E. Poliner at the Daytona Beach International Airport, as part every sector of the economy has something to offer Economic Dev. Antares Capital grow. As a part of the Medical Manager Corporation of an effort to develop and retain talent as well as to the community in an effort to solve the issues with Corporation from 1988 through 2000, Karl became part of Rick Karl intellectual capital from the five universities in the the economy of this region. Supporting the Business UCFBIP CALENDAR OF EVENTS the business development and economic growth Volusia Co. Aviation Jay Robinson county, has brought Karl to the Advisory Board of the Incubation Program Karl comments, “I believe the movement. The experience he gained through his The UCFBIP hosts many educational UCFBI-Daytona Beach International & Econ. Resources Enterprise Florida Business Incubator. Believing in the innovation of the best way to help our small businesses grow is to time with the company, moving from being a start up programs, seminars and events at each site. Airport “One-Year Anniversary” Business Incubator at the airport, Karl commented continue to support innovative programs that have a Kim King Maria Grulich through to IPO, was quite valuable to him. For details on these activities, please visit July 27th, 2011 from 4:30-6:30 pm “The placement of the incubator at the airport also proven track record such as the UCF Incubator and www.incubator.ucf.edu and click on events or Details/RSVP: 386-872-3100 City of Orlando Toumazos Karl, now intimately involved with Volusia Osceola Co.