Florida Institute Receives Economic Development Award

GAINESVILLE, Fla. and BOCA RATON, Fla., Oct. 6, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Florida Institute for the Commercialization of Public Research (the Institute) announced today that it received the 2015 Distinguished Organization Award from the Research Park at Florida Atlantic University. Select individuals and organizations were recognized at the Research Park's 30^th Anniversary Celebration which took place on Friday, October 2^nd, aboard the majestic Biscayne Lady, with over 200 business and community leaders in attendance. The Institute supports new company creation based on publicly-funded research, and bridges early funding gaps for companies spinning out of Florida-based universities and research institutions.

Andrew Duffell, Chief Executive Officer and President of the Research Park, presented the award while highlighting the Institute's achievements in recent years, which include new company creation and seed funding of some of Florida's most promising innovation-based ventures. The Research Park is an innovative hub with a common purpose to build an entrepreneurial community that inspires creativity, innovation and collaboration. The organization recently celebrated 30 years of building a community where entrepreneurs, academics and service providers can come together to collaborate and develop a sense of identity.

"The Institute truly is a driver of Florida's economy, and we are pleased to host them in the Research Park in Boca Raton," said Mr. Duffell. "They're maximizing the academic and entrepreneurial talent and regional resources in Florida to accelerate economic growth and prosperity, and have built a viable model for innovation-based economic development in our state."

"We are delighted to be recognized with this award," said Jamie Grooms, Institute Chief Executive Officer. "The Institute is uniquely positioned to catalyze industry/academic partnerships and has developed a proven approach to build and fund new companies, diversify local economies, and enable Florida businesses to compete effectively in a global marketplace."

About the Institute
Formed by the Florida Legislature in 2007, the Florida Institute for the Commercialization of Public Research is a non-profit organization that works collaboratively with the technology licensing and commercialization offices of Florida's state universities and private research institutions to leverage a $2B+ research base and form investable companies that create clean jobs in new industries that are driving the global economy. Over 100 new company projects have been identified across the state, and the Institute deploys company building and funding programs to promising Florida startups. Forty-four companies have been funded since the program's inception.

About the Research Park at Florida Atlantic University        
In 1985, the Palm Beach and Broward county commissions took the visionary step to create the Florida Atlantic Research and Development Authority (FARDA), to create and sustain research parks in the two counties. The Research Park at Florida Atlantic University exists to provide a supportive environment in which companies engaged in the research and development of new and innovative products can thrive. The Research Park is the only state university affiliated research park in South Florida, and is home to 18 high tech, high wage companies. In addition, the Research Park at Florida Atlantic University operates the Technology Business Incubator (TBI), the premier destination for South Florida startups.

CONTACT:
Jane Teague
Chief Operating Officer
Institute for the Commercialization of Public Research
561-368-8889
[email protected]

SOURCE Florida Institute for the Commercialization of Public Research

Related Links

http://www.florida-institute.com

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