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Driving Regional Economic Development and Innovation

The Florida High Tech Corridor Council is an economic development initiative of the University of Central Florida (UCF), the University of South Florida (USF) and the University of Florida (UF) established in 1996 to attract, retain and grow high tech industry and the workforce to support it in a 23-county region. Recognized by numerous scientific and economic development organizations for its achievements, The Corridor Council facilitates public-private partnerships to support research, entrepreneurship, workforce and marketing efforts.

The Council is co-chaired by UCF President Alexander N. Cartwright, USF President Steve Currall and UF President Kent Fuchs. It also includes representatives from the region’s 14 state and community colleges and nearly two dozen representatives of high tech industry and economic development. Paul Sohl, Rear Adm. (USN ret), directs the organization as CEO.

LEADERSHIP

Paul Sohl, Rear Adm. (USN Ret)
CEO

THE MISSION

The Corridor Council’s mission is to attract, retain and grow high tech industry and the workforce to support it in a 23-county Corridor region through programs and partnerships that support research, marketing, workforce development, STEM education and entrepreneurship.

PERSONNEL

0
Total Personnel

BUSINESS BASE
23-COUNTY REGION

PROGRAMS
  • Matching Grants Research Program (MGRP): Since 1996, the MGRP has generated downstream economic impacts of an estimated $1 billion by fostering applied research between high tech companies and researchers from UCF, USF and UF. The Florida High Tech Corridor Council provides up to $150,000 in matching funds for applied research projects between local industry partners and university researchers. This includes projects funded by Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) awards.
  • stemCONNECT: stemCONNECT inspires K-12 students to pursue high tech careers by engaging professionals to deliver presentations about their career fields and how STEM education applies. With online video conferencing tools, hundreds of students from across the region can participate in these interactive presentations, which often include exciting tours of research laboratories or modern workspaces. Since the first virtual session, stemCONNECT has exposed thousands of students to career opportunities in modeling, simulation and training, life sciences, aerospace and more.
  • Cenfluence: In partnership with Orange County Government, Cenfluence establishes organizations within a formal cluster structure with all the benefits that clustering activities have to offer, resulting in expanded economic opportunities and increased job opportunities for Central Florida. We work with local organizations (Cluster Members) to leverage synergies within the cluster community, existing regional strengths and a well-established global network to address the specific needs of Central Florida businesses.

Driving Regional Economic Development and Innovation

The Florida High Tech Corridor Council is an economic development initiative of the University of Central Florida (UCF), the University of South Florida (USF) and the University of Florida (UF) established in 1996 to attract, retain and grow high tech industry and the workforce to support it in a 23-county region. Recognized by numerous scientific and economic development organizations for its achievements, The Corridor Council facilitates public-private partnerships to support research, entrepreneurship, workforce and marketing efforts.

The Council is co-chaired by UCF President Alexander N. Cartwright, USF President Steve Currall and UF President Kent Fuchs. It also includes representatives from the region’s 14 state and community colleges and nearly two dozen representatives of high tech industry and economic development. Paul Sohl, Rear Adm. (USN ret), directs the organization as CEO.

LEADERSHIP

Paul Sohl, Rear Adm. (USN Ret)
CEO

THE MISSION

The Corridor Council’s mission is to attract, retain and grow high tech industry and the workforce to support it in a 23-county Corridor region through programs and partnerships that support research, marketing, workforce development, STEM education and entrepreneurship.

PERSONNEL

0
Total Personnel

BUSINESS BASE
23-COUNTY REGION

PROGRAMS
  • Matching Grants Research Program (MGRP): Since 1996, the MGRP has generated downstream economic impacts of an estimated $1 billion by fostering applied research between high tech companies and researchers from UCF, USF and UF. The Florida High Tech Corridor Council provides up to $150,000 in matching funds for applied research projects between local industry partners and university researchers. This includes projects funded by Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) awards.
  • stemCONNECT: stemCONNECT inspires K-12 students to pursue high tech careers by engaging professionals to deliver presentations about their career fields and how STEM education applies. With online video conferencing tools, hundreds of students from across the region can participate in these interactive presentations, which often include exciting tours of research laboratories or modern workspaces. Since the first virtual session, stemCONNECT has exposed thousands of students to career opportunities in modeling, simulation and training, life sciences, aerospace and more.
  • Cenfluence: In partnership with Orange County Government, Cenfluence establishes organizations within a formal cluster structure with all the benefits that clustering activities have to offer, resulting in expanded economic opportunities and increased job opportunities for Central Florida. We work with local organizations (Cluster Members) to leverage synergies within the cluster community, existing regional strengths and a well-established global network to address the specific needs of Central Florida businesses.

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