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Texas-based tech repair franchise firm NerdsToGo to enter Orlando market (by Susan Lundine)

Posted on October 4, 2021

NerdsToGo, a Texas computer and technology repair services franchise, plans to enter the metro Orlando market as part of a push to grow its Florida footprint by roughly 65 units by 2026. The company, based in Carrollton, Texas, near Dallas, currently has 29 stores in 16 states, including two in Florida: Tampa and Bonita Springs. […]

Siemens Mobility delivers new Brightline trains to Florida rail system (by Mark Anderson)

Posted on October 2, 2021

Private passenger train company Brightline Holdings and Siemens Mobility showcased its new modern train sets being built in Sacramento, California, for the Florida market. Siemens delivered its first train set to Brightline in 2017. Brightline’s proposition is that it can build “passenger rail on a profitable scale,” said Michael Reininger, CEO of Brightline Holdings. “We are […]

Orlando is gearing up to rival Silicon Valley by becoming a hub for tech, defense, and finance (by Grace Dean)

Posted on October 1, 2021

Defense and technology startup Red 6 is opening a hub in Orlando to develop its airborne tactical augmented reality system. It’s one in a long line of companies, including Lockheed Martin, Oracle, Verizon, and Deloitte, with offices in the central Florida city. For years, people have viewed the Sunshine State as primarily a vacation and a […]

Firearms maker FN America to open R&D operations in UCF incubator (by Alex Soderstrom)

Posted on September 30, 2021

FN America LLC on Oct. 4 will move into the University of Central Florida Research Park Business Incubator, Vice President of Military Operations Todd Smith told Orlando Inno. The McLean, Virginia-based company, a subsidiary of Belgian firm FN Herstal S.A., will open a small office to test and develop new marksmanship training technology. It’s a move in a […]

Florida High Tech Corridor Collaboration Wins National Prize to Elevate Underserved Women-Owned Businesses

Posted on September 29, 2021

Florida High Tech Corridor Collaboration Wins National Prize to Elevate Underserved Women-Owned Businesses University-Based Entrepreneur Support Organizations Collaborate to Encourage Women’s Involvement in Florida’s Research and Innovation Economy The U.S. Small Business Administration selected a multi-institutional collaboration led by the Florida High Tech Corridor (The Corridor) among eight winners of its first Small Business Innovation […]

Breaking: Satellite maker Terran Orbital to create thousands of jobs in expansion to Space Coast (by Alex Soderstrom)

Posted on September 27, 2021

The Kraken has been released. Terran Orbital Corp. will invest $300 million in a Space Coast satellite manufacturing facility that will create 2,100 high-wage jobs, a project previously referred to as “Project Kraken.” The company, headquartered in Boca Raton and Torino, Italy, will create the jobs by fourth-quarter 2025, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis announced in […]

North Carolina VC firm Cofounders Capital plots more Central Florida deals (by Alex Soderstrom)

Posted on September 21, 2021

Cary, North Carolina-based investment firm Cofounders Capital Management LLC made its first deal with a Florida company when it led a seven-figure investment into Orlando-based ViewStub LLC. However, the deal with the events streaming software startup is not destined to be Cofounders Capital’s last in the Sunshine State. Instead, the firm is making a push to […]

Germ-fighting Orlando tech firm Violet Defense raises another $6M (by Alex Soderstrom)

Posted on September 19, 2021

A disinfection technology firm undergoing a big growth spurt just raised millions of dollars for more hiring and international expansion. Orlando-based Violet Defense Group Inc. raised $6 million, according to an amended U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission document filed Sept. 14. The maker of ultraviolet light systems for disinfection and agriculture has raised at least […]

Software firm Prosperi plans job growth after making Orlando its global marketing HQ (by Alex Soderstrom)

Posted on September 17, 2021

Project management software firm Prosperi, which helps keep electricity flowing and water clean across Brazil, is bringing similar services to the U.S. via Central Florida. Brazilian company Prosperi’s expansion efforts in the U.S. will be anchored by its Orlando operations, where the company plans to grow its workforce significantly, CEO Leonardo Nogueria told Orlando Inno. The company, recognized […]

Northrop Grumman Unveils Model of New Autonomous Aircraft (by Meredity Roaten)

Posted on September 14, 2021

PALMDALE, Calif. — Northrop Grumman has designed a new autonomous aircraft that it hopes will be the answer to the Air Force’s search for the next-generation of drones that could accompany manned planes into battle. Unveiled Sept. 8 at Northrop’s facility in Palmdale, California, the Model 437 — a stealthy jet with a 3,000 mile range […]

Stratolaunch selects Quantum3D’s Advanced Simulation Platform for Hypersonic Flight Training

Posted on September 14, 2021

Stratolaunch selects Quantum3D’s Advanced Simulation Platform for Hypersonic Flight Training Milpitas, CA – September 13, 2021 – Quantum3D has been awarded a new contract by Stratolaunch to train pilots in their launch vehicle for hypersonic aircraft. This contract includes the delivery of the latest IDX 90 advanced Image Generator to the Stratolaunch test and training facility […]

$30M sports tech fund launched in Lake Nona. Here’s what it’s looking for (by Alex Soderstrom)

Posted on September 9, 2021

The fund’s search for investable companies spans the globe, Rudy said. However, the fund is focused on early-stage sports tech and health tech firms, and the fund’s managers are looking for companies that will take advantage of the network of resources available in Lake Nona, which include the Johnson & Johnson Human Performance Institute, the […]

3 Orlando simulation firms win spots on mega Marines training contract (by Alex Soderstrom)

Posted on September 7, 2021

Three Orlando-based simulation companies are among the seven firms selected to work on a U.S. Navy contract worth $127 million. The contract is for work to support current training systems and develop new systems for the U.S. Marine Corps, which operates as part of the Department of the Navy. The contract mentions marksmanship, combat vehicle […]

This CEO built a wheelchair endorsed by Stephen Hawking before launching his new startup (by Alex Soderstrom)

Posted on September 7, 2021

Tim Balz has worked on a long list of successful wheelchair innovations, landing his name on a patent and leading a project endorsed by renowned physicist Stephen Hawking. Balz’s latest efforts won’t revolutionize the wheelchair, but rather, the quality of life of the people who use them. Melbourne-based Kalogon, founded by Balz last year, developed a “smart […]

SPACE SYMPOSIUM NEWS: Space Operations Command Leveraging Commercial Investments (by Mandy Mayfield)

Posted on August 31, 2021

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — The field command of U.S. Space Force is looking to leverage investments being made by commercial space companies, an official said Aug. 25. “I call this the ‘Second Golden Age of Space,'” said  Lt. Gen. Stephen Whiting, commander of Space Operations Command. “It’s really being led by commercial space, whether that’s […]

L3Harris shares details on hiring, satellite facility expansion in Florida (by Alex Soderstrom)

Posted on August 30, 2021

A Space Coast defense firm and tech giant has added to its local facilities as it takes on “experimental” satellite programs. L3Harris Technologies Inc. is building out additional square footage at its existing Palm Bay satellite production facility to accommodate new satellite programs, L3Harris Space and Airborne Systems spokeswoman Kristin Jones told Orlando Business Journal. This will enable […]

Full Sail University Program Director Named to the National Center for Simulation 2021 Modeling & Simulation Hall of Fame (by Diane Sears)

Posted on August 26, 2021

WINTER PARK, Fla. – August 25, 2021 – Full Sail University is proud to announce that the Program Director of its Game Design Master of Science and Simulation and Visualization Bachelor of Science degree programs, Robert L. Catto, has been selected as an inductee to the prestigious 2021 National Center for Simulation (NCS) Modeling & Simulation […]

Startup Candor lands VC to expand its automated underwriting platform (by Alex Soderstrom)

Posted on August 24, 2021

Mortgage artificial intelligence startup Candor Technology Inc. will expand after snagging more than $12.5 million in a recent venture capital round. The company, based in The Villages, raised $12.5 million in a Series A round that will enable the company’s patent-pending platform to analyze more types of loans, founder and CEO Thomas Showalter told Orlando […]

U.S. Army Awards DiSTI $5.4M for Stryker Virtual Trainer

Posted on August 24, 2021

U.S. Army Awards DiSTI $5.4M Delivery Order for Stryker Virtual Trainer The DiSTI Corporation has been awarded a $5.4M delivery order from the United States Army to upgrade the Stryker Diagnostic and Troubleshooting Trainer (DTT). DiSTI, the world’s leading provider of virtual training solutions, will upgrade the Stryker DTT virtual trainers to the latest FMT […]

Tech firm Checkr to open Orlando office and create hundreds of local jobs (by Alex Soderstrom)

Posted on August 23, 2021

An out-of-state tech firm will open a new office in Orlando with 630 jobs after being approved on Aug. 23 for economic incentives. City of Orlando commissioners approved up to $1.1 million in incentives to coax background check software company Checkr Inc. to the region. Checkr, with dual headquarters in Denver and San Francisco, plans to […]