National Center for Simulation Logo

 

NCS Uncategorized

UCF to launch ‘first-of-its-kind’ degree program in themed experiences (by Ryan Lynch)

Posted on February 22, 2021

The University of Central Florida is preparing to launch a new program that will be among the first for a public university. UCF will start its two-year master’s degree program in themed experiences this fall. It will teach the design of environments to tell a story in places such as theme parks, zoos, aquariums, themed […]

Tech startup Leasecake gets investment to expand its software beyond real estate (by Alex Soderstrom)

Posted on February 16, 2021

Leasecake Inc. has closed a $3 million investment round that will expand its commercial real estate software, the company announced Feb. 16. The Winter Park-based firm was founded in 2017 at entrepreneurship competition Startup Weekend Orlando as a property management platform. Leasecake since has expanded to offer “location management” software, which allows businesses to manage services related […]

UCF, tech firm and VC fund launch Central Florida lab to grow blockchain biz (by Alex Soderstrom)

Posted on February 14, 2021

https://www.bizjournals.com/orlando/news/2021/02/12/ucf-tech-firm-and-vc-fund-launch-central-florida.html?ana=e_orl_bn_editorschoice_editorschoice&j=90550511&t=Breaking%20News&mkt_tok=eyJpIjoiT1RoaU5HUmxZelprWkdJMyIsInQiOiJWTGVnWEY5VkxOVWdiaEFTbTJYTW42dU9UK3lITzJ5ZEFYZUlHdHo1MzVDandRd2dIYkxQdVM1bkx2c2lVZW5XRWRjTlg1Z0FCd3JoUU5USlI2TCtqZ1pjbTM5U0dLSURTVU5sc3pZU3p3WnJ4WFhDck1jNUVNbnFRaWpodHc1RCJ9 Central Florida blockchain businesses will have more opportunities to grow thanks to a new nonprofit lab that has millions of dollars in venture capital behind it. The launch of the Blockchain Innovation Lab was announced Feb. 12 by the lab’s three Central Florida organizers: the University of Central Florida, business development firm Neoware Studios […]

These are the Orlando transportation sector’s biggest projects and opportunities (by Alex Soderstrom)

Posted on February 12, 2021

Tony McGee, CEO, HNM Global Logistics  “I would say the obvious as it relates to opportunities is our hidden gem, Research Park. With [U.S. Army simulation center] PEO STRI over there, you have $3.5 billion in contracts coming out of that small geographic area. We would like to increase our opportunities with the federal government. […]

Business accelerator Burnout to triple its video game projects in 2021 (by Alex Soderstrom)

Posted on February 10, 2021

https://www.bizjournals.com/orlando/news/2021/02/10/business-accelerator-burnout-to-triple-its-video-g.html?ana=e_orl_bn_editorschoice_editorschoice&j=90550116&t=Breaking%20News&mkt_tok=eyJpIjoiTVRRMk16ZGlNRGd4TVRJeiIsInQiOiJuYU1wck5QcU9FWVdpODJud2pXRnhPb0NpNDZLbUw3XC9lUG9maVlIUjhhcFREVEZ5bnBjTHRBTWR0SWpJZ0N3dEM5MHo3NTZzbUdhVWx0RXkyQlRCSlJ2RTBRc2VkekZFMWd3RVJ1RHVoQm9SaXpoZFJvUlYzNEdnK09zR3RMZ1UifQ%3D%3D Burnout Game Ventures LLC doubled its projects in 2020, and it aims to triple that number this year. The Winter Park-based video game accelerator hit a growth spurt in 2020, adding 50 members and four staff employees. Burnout already has added another 25 people this year, with expectations to add a hundred in the […]

EA Sports to revive college football video games (by Alex Soderstrom)

Posted on February 3, 2021

https://www.bizjournals.com/orlando/news/2021/02/02/ea-sports-to-revive-college-football-video-games.html?ana=e_me_set1&j=90549004&t=Morning&mkt_tok=eyJpIjoiTmpVMk16aGxaR0V4T0RReSIsInQiOiJBNlRwXC9ZUzRXdmZwUys4dFN4a1IwaGJNZVY5S2ppeG1iaHB4V2NSTk5wU05TdVQ1OFc0MHVpSWlyNDV2SERKbUFpd2UrMlhBRnVPdlhSY09HelN1Ym5XMlYzbVJLZktCY202MlRORmMzSEpsOEhyQ3VMN2pvanNWaHF0NjA5dTEifQ%3D%3D Gaming is a massive industry that spawns high-wage jobs. The U.S. video game industry in 2019 generated $90.3 billion in economic output and supported 429,000 jobs, including 16,270 jobs in Florida, according to the Entertainment Software Association.

Spirit Airlines to move some control center operations to Orlando; create jobs (by Richard Bilbao)

Posted on February 3, 2021

https://www.bizjournals.com/orlando/news/2021/02/02/spirit-airlines-to-move-conrol-center-orlando-jobs.html?ana=e_me_set1&j=90549004&t=Morning&mkt_tok=eyJpIjoiTmpVMk16aGxaR0V4T0RReSIsInQiOiJBNlRwXC9ZUzRXdmZwUys4dFN4a1IwaGJNZVY5S2ppeG1iaHB4V2NSTk5wU05TdVQ1OFc0MHVpSWlyNDV2SERKbUFpd2UrMlhBRnVPdlhSY09HelN1Ym5XMlYzbVJLZktCY202MlRORmMzSEpsOEhyQ3VMN2pvanNWaHF0NjA5dTEifQ%3D%3D Spirit Airlines plans to increase its operations at Orlando International Airport and create more local jobs. The airport announced that the Miramar-based airliner will to move part of its operational control center — which helps it track flights — from South Florida to Orlando starting in June. That means 75 positions, or 40% of […]

Report: Orlando ranks among the best metros for STEM professionals (by Susan Lundine and Brendan Ward)

Posted on February 1, 2021

https://www.bizjournals.com/orlando/news/2021/02/01/orlando-among-best-metros-for-stem-workers.html?ana=e_ae_prem&j=90548777&t=Afternoon&mkt_tok=eyJpIjoiTmpFMk1EUmhaak5tT0dRMiIsInQiOiJ6cUxkN3RHaVVYUDRZWVIxa3dkQ2E0MkdIR3FYeTUrVFwvdHp5NmlqSHptd2xcL0lSUEw2QkJvd3duUVZMbmhzNVJDXC9COVlPNmg5UmlDTVlkNkRrMzk5VGhKSm1BaUxKMFBTclYydHc1eTJcL1ZGY0RZaVZwSnRiN0I3MkpyUWZVakwifQ%3D%3D Metro Orlando, along with two other Central Florida metros, are among the best areas for STEM professionals, according to a new report. WalletHub evaluated the nation’s 100 largest metro areas to find the best metros for science, technology, engineering and math workers. Each metro was graded on key areas including STEM opportunities, STEM friendliness and […]

Statement by Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III on Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad

Posted on February 1, 2021

https://www.defense.gov/Newsroom/Releases/Release/Article/2484504/statement-by-secretary-of-defense-lloyd-j-austin-iii-on-tackling-the-climate-cr/ I fully support the President’s direction today to include climate considerations as an essential element of our national security and to assess the impacts of climate change on our security strategies, operations, and infrastructure. Since 2010, the Department of Defense has acknowledged that the planet’s changing climate has a dramatic effect on our missions, […]

IT’S TIME TO MOVE THE ARMY LADDER ( by ERIC WESLEY AND ROBERT SIMPSON)

Posted on January 31, 2021

https://warontherocks.com/2021/01/its-time-to-move-the-army-ladder/ For 20 years, the U.S. Army has fought militarily inferior enemies in Afghanistan and Iraq. The wars have been inconclusive. Now, the Army is embarking on an effort to compete with China and Russia — two advanced nuclear powers with the potential to compete toe to toe with the United States in almost every […]

A Quick Recap of Cybersecurity in 2020

Posted on January 28, 2021

https://goldskysecurity.com/a-quick-recap-of-cybersecurity-in-2020/?utm_source=Newsletter&utm_medium=Email&utm_campaign=2020-cybesecurity-recap The year 2020 will go down in history for many reasons, such as some of the most intrusive security incidents. We saw an innovative focus on machine learning and artificial intelligence, leveraged for both defensive and offensive campaigns. Additionally, the cybersecurity industry experienced unprecedented ransomware and supply chain compromises, targeting critical industries. In 2021, […]

Semiconductor maker Skywater to take over UCF’s lease in NeoCity, create high-wage jobs (by Alex Soderstrom)

Posted on January 25, 2021

https://www.bizjournals.com/orlando/news/2021/01/25/semiconductor-maker-skywater-osceola-create-jobs.html?ana=e_orl_bn_breakingnews_breakingnews&j=90547751&t=Breaking%20News&mkt_tok=eyJpIjoiTkRSbFpXTTRNRFZrTTJZeCIsInQiOiI3eUZ1eWg3THdBUjlvMjlxQ2J1emI1VTA4TkxIWHRoZVZ4U3VSVmZGZzNLaDFES2dicklDYVFGTFgyVFk0M2lwSlNRK0pRN29VWDd0N0lBNWtHTXNDN3hLYUFLXC82QVU0Wjc2NmhKNGswbzZuMytqb3REOHRGWk5yMDM0WUpINGMifQ%3D%3D Osceola County’s fledgling NeoCity district has a new high-tech tenant set to create hundreds of local high-wage jobs. SkyWater Technology Foundry Inc. will take over the University of Central Florida’s lease of the 109,000-square-foot Center for Neovation in Kissimmee. The firm will operate the semiconductor research and development facility until 2044 and create 220 […]

Luminar and more powered Orlando venture capital activity to a banner year (by Alex Soderstrom)

Posted on January 22, 2021

https://www.bizjournals.com/orlando/news/2021/01/22/luminar-and-more-powered-orlando-vc-activity-to-a.html?ana=e_orl_bn_editorschoice_editorschoice&j=90547347&t=Breaking%20News&mkt_tok=eyJpIjoiTW1NMk16WXpaV1ppTURVMCIsInQiOiJNb1ZyWG1RVTY1RUg0XC8rY21TMFwvTm14TkVVTFNMMCtJditPWW1Pb0pTaHZ4aEM2M0hUWFZ0eVg4QlRJcTRtVHY1ZFVSbTlSNzRNejRaQkl2Z1ZTNk1TenVDSjVNSVU5MEFGYWF0SjZwdWNPV05CS04rMUNBbTdyREk1UmpJSEJGIn0%3D ‘Momentum to continue’ That strong fourth-quarter performance powered 2020 to one of the best recent years for local venture capital activity. More than half of the $325 million raised last year came from $184 million that investors injected into Luminar Technologies Inc. as part of its merger with Gores Metropoulos Inc. Luminar, an Orlando-based maker of […]

Tavistock considers alternate Orlando site for air taxi vertiport (by Alex Soderstrom)

Posted on January 21, 2021

https://www.bizjournals.com/orlando/news/2021/01/20/tavistock-eyes-another-orlando-site-for-air-taxi-v.html?ana=e_me_prem&j=90547096&t=Morning&mkt_tok=eyJpIjoiTXpjNU9UWTVNVEZpT0RjNSIsInQiOiI0dER2ZitKTUxGQjZoblN6aXZ0VVJwejIzdGk1NEdFUDhUVXg3dUY3ZGZPNXo2dEpaNkV4TWY3aXZqNGt0NVc2V1NucjJSU29FeWpDelVDTWJMczN0WWJpVUc1bVwvaWR2RW5rVXJnNE1LZEhsQXJIamxYTnB4SHpKcHA0Qm5kYjkifQ%3D%3D   Tavistock Development Co. LLC is mulling a new alternate spot in southeastern Orlando as the potential location of the nation’s first air taxi hub. The final site is where Tavistock will lead the development of a 56,000-square-foot air taxi landing and takeoff facility. The vertiport, which will enable travel in a small passenger […]

Bev Seay – i-4 Business Leader (by Diane Sears)

Posted on January 19, 2021

https://www.i4biz.com/business-leaders-of-the-year/bev-seay/ Bev Seay has always been curious about how things work. As a child, she wanted to explore space. By eighth grade, she wanted to be a computer programmer. With a father who worked at IBM, she loved math and science and knew more about technology than most girls her age — traits she passed […]

US Space Command headquarters coming to Huntsville, Alabama (by Lee Roop)

Posted on January 13, 2021

https://www.al.com/news/huntsville/2021/01/us-space-command-headquarters-coming-to-huntsville-alabama-sources.html The Air Force has selected the Army’s Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, Ala., as its preferred location for the headquarters of its new Space Command, Gov. Kay Ivey and U.S. Sen. Richard Shelby said today. “Alabama has been selected for the United States Space Command Headquarters,” Ivey’s office said. “In late December, Gov. Ivey joined […]

AEgis Technologies Group to Join the Formation of BlueHalo in Combination with Applied Technology Associates and Brilligent Solutions

Posted on January 12, 2021

HUNSTVILLE, Ala., Oct. 29, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — AEgis Technologies Group (“AEgis”) today announced it’s joining the formation of BlueHalo (the “Company”), a leading provider of advanced engineering solutions and technology to the national security community. BlueHalo, an Arlington Capital Partners portfolio company, was formed through the combination of AEgis Technologies including its previously integrated acquisitions Excivity and […]

UAVs and AI Are the Newest Tools Growers Can Use for Crop Management

Posted on January 6, 2021

https://ufinnovate.medium.com/uavs-and-ai-are-the-newest-tools-growers-can-use-for-crop-management-787a92b3f9eb They say knowledge is power. That philosophy is what drives Dr. Yiannis Ampatzidis, an assistant professor at the Southwest Florida Research and Education Center in Immokalee, where he leads the precision agriculture engineering program. With a background in agricultural engineering, Ampatzidis both intimately understands grower priorities and has the technical know-how to build new tools to […]

Virti – One of The 100 Best Inventions of 2020

Posted on January 4, 2021

Certain situations are almost impossible to train for. What do you do, say, when you nick an artery during surgery? Or spot a leak on an oil rig? In 2018, trauma surgeon Dr. Alex Young launched Virti, a training platform that drops workers into high-stress augmented and virtual reality scenarios, where they can practice responding and receive […]

Lockheed Martin to buy Aerojet Rocketdyne, growing rocket and missile holdings(By Carten Cordell and Alex Soderstrom

Posted on December 21, 2020

With sparse few shopping days left in 2020, Lockheed Martin Corp. made a big purchase of the year, acquiring Aerojet Rocketdyne Holdings Inc. in a deal worth $4.4 billion.  The move, unveiled on Dec. 20, provides the Bethesda, Maryland-based defense contracting giant (NYSE: LMT) an established player in the solid rocket propulsion market, which is […]