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Orlando tech on the verge of a good groove in coming months

Marco Santana

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February 19, 2024

Orlando tech on the verge of a good groove in coming months

What a random week for Orlando to feel like the center of the technology world.

I mean, it’s only mid-February.

It’s literally just the seventh week out of 52 this year so can we slow down a little bit? Looking at the upcoming calendar, no, we cannot.

I am joking. of course. We won’t slow down and we should not.

Where this feeling comes from

Ever since Wednesday, I have felt a buzz around town over Orlando tech.

It’s a feeling I have been having more frequently than in any of my nearly 10 years covering the community. Side note: Can you believe it? Halloween this year will mark 10 years of covering Orlando tech for me! That’s some historical context, if I do say so myself!

NAWCTSD took students through their simulators at Orlando Science Center’s Spark STEM Fest.

The exciting part is that each of the four events I’m about to highlight have completely different audiences yet all feel part of an overall puzzle or tapestry.

The buzz has not been because of any one specific event or activity.

In fact, I think it was because of all of them.

Let me run through them first.

A quartet of touchpoints for O Tech

On Wednesday, a portion of the defense industry came together at Central Florida Tech Grove. The event allowed small businesses to highlight products and programs to military brass, who happen to have offices in Orlando.

Most who read Orlando Tech News know that Orlando is the center of modeling, simulation and training for the defense industry. Tech Grove’s consistent programming allows more opportunities to showcase that, which is important when it comes to an ecosystem’s perception from afar.

On Thursday, fresh off the Tech Grove event, Innovate Orlando’s TenX Tech returned. The venue this time was downtown’s The Social.

It was great to reconnect with so many of those we have known while also making first connections with several I expect to follow up with in the days and weeks ahead.

Moving into the weekend, Orlando Science Center pulled off its Spark STEM Fest – dba Otronicon. The three-day festival, as usual, showcased Orlando’s general tech community to a unique audience.

It’s one of the rare times giants like Walt Disney World and others show up to a local meetup. Disney folks, don’t sue me, teach me … are there events you attend I’m just not aware of? Would love to know.

Finally, tonight, not only will Otronicon have its third and final day but Orlandopreneur, a meetup of business and tech, will host its monthly meetup.

This group has grown quickly into one of several in the community that keeps the fires of innovation burning through consistent touchpoints.

The fact that Central Florida Tech Grove will host this month’s Orlandopreneur is mere icing on the cake for the point I’m trying to make.

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So, what’s the point?

And what is that point, you ask?

The same point I have made repeatedly on this blog. Orlando has depth and when it hits its groove, it will be a potential powerhouse in the world of technology.

In my view that is, again, informed by nearly 10 years here, we are getting into the early stages of that groove.

PICS: Young students get tech education at OSC’s STEM Fest

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February 17, 2024

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PICS: Young students get tech education at OSC’s STEM Fest

One of the Orlando Science Center’s biggest events packed the venue on Saturday.

Spark STEM Fest, once known as Otronicon, brings the Orlando tech community together to showcase the depth of the area’s technology industry but through the lens of education.

That’s why a good portion of those in attendance were students, checking out locally built video games, flying virtual jets and creating art under the direction of Disney Imagineers.

The uniquely Orlando event runs through Monday at Orlando Science Center, 777 E Princeton St.

CLICK ON THUMBNAILS FOR FULL-SIZED IMAGES.

Space Florida calls for projects to fund on the Coast

Marco Santana

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February 16, 2024

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Space Florida calls for projects to fund on the Coast

The governing body of Florida’s important space industry this week put out a request for projects that will help develop its spaceport system.

Space Florida on Tuesday released its annual call for projects related to Florida Department of Transportation’s “Spaceport Improvement Program.”

The projects should focus on future needs of both the commercial and private sector space industries. Applications are due March 27.

“Collaboration with the private space sector is paramount for the evolution of Florida’s spaceport system,” said Rob Long, president and CEO of Space Florida, in a press release. “We can’t overlook the importance of investing in the foundational infrastructure needed to grow and mature Florida’s space ecosystem.”

Long said partnerships drive Space Florida and the region’s infrastructure upgrades.

He cited several projects, including the construction of SpaceX’s processing and Starship manufacturing facility on Roberts Road, as key projects that started in the Spaceport Improvement Program. The organization will accept applications for fiscal years 2026 to 2030. More information can be found at https://www.spaceflorida.gov/page/call-for-projects.

Orlando doctor excited for Apple Vision Pro’s potential to grow XR

Marco Santana

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February 15, 2024

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Orlando doctor excited for Apple Vision Pro’s potential to grow XR

By most accounts, the Apple Vision Pro’s release roughly two weeks ago was a success.

The tech giant has said that it has sold out of its initial run of what has been estimated to be between 160,000 and 180,000 units.

One Orlando doctor, an admitted technology enthusiast who jumped on board immediately, said he has been impressed by the headset so far.

But Dr. Robert Masson, a neurosurgeon with his own private practice in Central Florida, says the headset’s true value could be in building unprecedented buzz around an emerging technology.

“This is going to inject a tremendous amount of energy into the XR space, across the board,” he said. “It will excite consumers and improve fluency with the technology.”

Masson has the pedigree to provide his outlook.

The founder of the Masson Spine Institute has long been a tech-forward-thinking professional, being an early adopter of emerging technologies.

It runs in the family.

His grandfather was a World War II aviator and instructor for fighter pilots.

So far, the use case Masson has dabbled in has been mostly about team logistics and organization.

Masson uses the Apple Vision Pro – and other headsets like the Microsoft Hololens 2 – as a way to train his team on preparation sequencing and surgery organization visually. The work has led to an effort to build a digital twin for surgeons.

For instance, one experience walks a scrub technician through a step-by-step process of a surgical procedure, so they understand the next step at all times during actual surgery.

Masson said the release of Apple Vision Pro could be looked back on someday as a pivotal moment in the technology’s history, especially considering the company’s deep penetration in tech-based consumer markets.

“It will normalize XR in a way that only Apple can,” he said. “It will really excite the whole process and the whole workplace. The Hololens felt like a foreign, brand-new product. But there was familiarity with the Apple Pro immediately. That was infectious.”

Initial reviews on the Apple Vision Pro have been typically mixed, with some lauding the tech giant and others returning the product and being loud about it on social media.

But Masson has no plans to do either, instead settling in to explore ways to optimize the use of any piece of hardware he can get his hands on.

He has long brought a deep curiosity into anything he does, including the surgical environment.

“I’m an explorer,” he said. “I flew for 40 years. I race cars with my kid. That is what I do. I’m not a typical surgeon.”

“I’m not a fanboy of anything until I pressure test it,” he said. “But, historically, I have always had incredible respect for the way Apple iterates products from a human-use perspective.”

Big 3: Tech Grove date; TenX Tech returns; Spark STEM Fest

Marco Santana

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February 12, 2024

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Big 3: Tech Grove date; TenX Tech returns; Spark STEM Fest

TenX Tech’s return downtown – Thursday

This intermittent event series has become something of a preferred event at Orlando Tech News. There has always been a good vibe and, of course, we partnered this fall for what I think turned into an interesting series of stories in advance of the group’s initial campaigns. The event comes back downtown for the first time in 2024 with a meetup that is sure to energize Orlando’s tech community. You can FIND TICKETS TO THIS FREE EVENT HERE.

Central Florida tech groove at Tech Grove – Wednesday

What a resource Central Florida Tech Grove has become. This week, that will pay off for Orlando’s tech community with a matchmaking event on Valentine’s Day that will give local entrepreneurs and businesses exposure. On the entrepreneurial side, it’s a chance to show off their capabilities to potential clients. That accessibility is key for small businesses trying to break into military contracting. Meanwhile, Orlando’s robust military and simulation ecosystem can discover small businesses in Central Florida that are working on high-tech projects that could benefit the Warfighter down the line. It’s a uniquely Orlando networking event. FREE TICKETS

Science Center’s top event returns for 3 days – Saturday

The Orlando Science Center’s Spark STEM Fest (formerly Otronicon) returns with yet another great event that highlights the tech community in Central Florida through its businesses. Every year I go, I leave with a notebook full of story ideas that inform the following months. But

that’s just a personal anecdote. Honestly, it’s a fun showcase of our community from an educational perspective. I have already heard from a handful of exhibitors who will be there and, frankly, it’s kinda like an Orlando-centric, mini-IITSEC mixed with a mini-IAAPA. That is something that is uniquely Orlando. GET TICKETS HERE

That’s the Big 3 this week. I need a catchphrase for this space. Suggestions welcome!

4Q4: Four questions for … Dawn Haynes, Starter Studio & OTC

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Marco Santana

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February 9, 2024

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4Q4: Four questions for … Dawn Haynes, Starter Studio & OTC

Dawn Haynes has perhaps one of the more unique viewpoints of Orlando’s startup community.

She was named the head of Starter Studio about two years ago and recently was installed as Orlando Tech Community’s president.

We caught up with her with four questions on Orlando’s tech scene.

What are OTC’s priorities this year?

For this year, OTC will continue to build on the momentum gained during the past 12 months, and continue to evolve, grow and add value and benefits to the members based on the key learnings and member feedback gleaned from the various initiatives undertaken. The three committees.

The Startup/Growth committee will focus on supporting entrepreneurial tech businesses through these important and critical phases of development. Providing access to the myriad of resources needed to not just survive in the startup phase, but to truly thrive as they grow and scale.

Tech Connect will focus on progressing the mapping of our tech/innovation ecosystem that occurred last year into connecting with each stakeholder group and facilitating the interconnectivity of all the groups that will enable us to become a top 10 tech/innovation hub.

Marketing/PR will build awareness of our region’s broad tech and innovation capabilities, its outstanding resources that support startups, and being a champion/advocate in the press and community for our member organizatons by highlighting and showcasing their major wins and achievements!

Look back briefly. What were some big moments for OTC in 2023?

I believe one of the most important accomplishments was making OTC available and accessible to everyone and anyone connected to tech and innovation. The member base grew in 2023 to over 300 members and attendance increased at the Ten X Tech Live Events (both the member-only and open events), encouraging conversation and serendipitous collaboration opportunities.

In addition, OTC started its journey of understanding and providing value to its members. The introduction of the Founders Dinners has been invaluable in connecting startup founders with successfully exited entrepreneurs for learning, guidance and encouragement. The introduction of the TenX Talks education series (open to anyone, not just members) has provided insight on topics that are hugely valuable to startup and growth companies.

Tech Connect started the ecosystem project to map all the stakeholder groups necessary to build a healthy, thriving, connected tech/innovation/startup ecosystem; identify gaps, and explore best practices for connecting and elevating each stakeholder group to facilitate collaboration valuable to each group.

Finally, the inaugural Metacenter Global Week (MCGW) event was a critical and important visible step into establishing Orlando as a top 10 tech/innovation hub! If we all view MCGW as the entrepreneurial endeavor it is, we have to congratulate David Adelson and his small but mighty team on an incredible accomplishment. In a matter of months, the MVP was brought to market with major brands participating and with its launch, the opportunity to obtain valuable constructive customer feedback to continue building and improving the product for future iterations.

What advice do you have for startups in Orlando?

Become a member of the OTC! You’ll have access to valuable resources and connections, most importantly immediate introduction to the incredible ESO (entrepreneurial support organization) community here in Orlando.

Take full advantage of each organization as each one has something different and valuable to offer. Remember it’s an “AND” and not an “OR”. Any ESO worth its salt will go out of its way to introduce you and connect you to others as additional resources to help start, build and grow your business. The OTC and ESO Community are working together to ensure there is no wrong front door for startup founders here in our region – wherever you start is simply an entry point to all available resources and support.

How does OTC maximize value to each member, seeing as how there is such variety in Orlando?

By fully understanding the needs and challenges of each sector, vertical and organization and then using that knowledge to inform the continued work to facilitate, build and catalyze a connected tech/innovation/startup ecosystem; which in turn will enable us as a community to provide the right resources and support to the right people at the right time.

Lilium designates Lake Nona, MCO as hubs for eVTOL air mobility

Marco Santana

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February 8, 2024

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Lilium designates Lake Nona, MCO as hubs for eVTOL air mobility

The developer of the first all-electric vertical take-off and landing jet named Orlando International Airport as one of its regional air mobility hubs.

The German company Lilium will build its first U.S.-based vertiport in the Lake Nona community.

It has been working closely with the City of Orlando and Lake Nona’s management group, Tavistock, to develop an air mobility network in the region.

“We are thrilled about the proposed advanced aviation center at Orlando International Airport and commend Orlando for its dedication and vision to advancing (advanced air mobility),” said Sebastien Borel, chief commercial officer, in a press release Thursday. “Building a vertiport at the major-hub airport will ultimately enhance regional mobility by increasing passenger access and connectivity while allowing multiple operators to use the facility and share in the cost.”

The take-off and landing site, known as an eVTOL, will be located on airport property. As of this February 2024, the site has a 2025 target date.

A second eVTOL in Lake Nona also has a 2025 target date and will create more than 100 jobs there.

That vertiport is expected to serve Orlando, as well as Tampa and any others within a 186-mile radius.

Veteran finds post-pandemic groove by focusing on niche

Marco Santana

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February 7, 2024

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Roque Rivera just had enough of making money for other people.

The longtime IT expert had worked in various industries for the better part of three decades.

But he felt he had something to offer in terms of a business idea.

To do so, he connected with UCF’s Business Incubation Program to learn the ins and outs of business.

It was like a crash course, one in which he thrived.

“They challenge you and I love that,” Rivera said of his incubation program mentors. “It’s also the connections you can make here and the experience they have. They have seen it all.”

Roque’s company, Rovuk, specializes in providing versatile software for subcontractors in the construction, landscaping and cleaning services industries.

The construction news site, Construction Tech News, featured Rovuk.

The hyper-niched business is based out of the incubation program’s office in East Orlando.

Rivera said one of his strengths is understanding that others have experience he can absorb.

“By understanding that these people have gone through this, you have a living encyclopedia of how to build a business right there with you,” he said.

The business is relatively new, only starting to offer its software for subcontractors last year as the pandemic battered his last company, which offered IT management services.

The Rovuk user list has been expanding swiftly, however.

As effective as the software has been, it’s Rivera’s attitude that has him set up for success, said Rafael Caamaño, a mentor with the incubator.

‘He is coachable’

“He is coachable and he has never given up,” Caamaño said. “He’s always looking to go around the wall. He’s on to something special.”

The suite of products that Rovuk has built streamline and simplify tasks that range from scheduling appointments to surveys to timecards for businesses in a specific sector.

The result is a dedicated site that saves entrepreneurs time and money.

“He has a product you can touch and feel,” he said. “It addresses an important problem that exists.”

For almost 30 years, Rivera worked in industries like hospitality and logistics for government contractors.

MIT-educated, the entrepreneur balked when a former employer was acquired and they asked him to move out of Florida for the job.

Instead, he set out on his own, a move that would eventually lead to Rovuk and the discovery of mentors at UCF.

“They can identify if that hobby could be a business or not,” he said. “You have to be committed. I like that they tell it like it is. That’s the relationship I have with all of them. I got thick skin, man.”

That determination was steeled, at least in part, in the U.S. Army.

However, his Puerto Rican upbringing has also pushed him to be determined – a valued trait in entrepreneurship.

“I never remember my mom or my dad telling us that we could not do something,” he said.

When you ask what he does, Rivera perhaps oversimplifies.

He helps you write a 30-minute report in two minutes, he says, using technology.

“You tell me your problem, I translate the solution to the problem into a system,” he said. “That’s what software is, actually. That’s what we do.”

Big 3: SpaceX launch; Disney-centric webinar; Latinos in tech

Marco Santana

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February 5, 2024

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Big 3: SpaceX launch; Disney-centric webinar; Latinos in tech

SpaceX launch to elucidate depths of the ocean – Tuesday

If you live in Central Florida, our space program can almost become an afterthought, believe it or not. After all, it’s no longer a rare sight – despite it still being a monumental accomplishment – to see a rocket blasting into the sky and disappearing high above the clouds. But let’s not forget that this is one of the longest-running tech industries we have here. Each mission could, and perhaps should, be its own story. This week, for example, Central Florida is the origin of science that will allow us to study ocean life at a more granular level. That is expected to launch on a Falcon 9 rocket as soon as Tuesday.

Webinar on modeling and simulation in a Disney ride – Thursday

I can probably count on two hands how many times I expect a webinar to show up on this list during the course of the year but this one hits Orlando so directly that I can’t help but think it’s going to be super intriguing. The connection between the amusement park industry and the military is closer than you think and both industries, frankly, thrive in Central Florida. So, an upcoming Central Florida Tech Grove webinar has me curious. The webinar comes from a deep dive into an I/ITSEC paper about Disney’s popular “Rise of the Resistance” attraction. Did you know the technology that runs that ride also have potential military applications? Seriously, this is a thread that runs deeper than most realize and it’ll be interesting to check out the NTSA’s webinar.

Latinos in Tech meetup at Hourglass – Friday

This is something of a fledgling group so watching it grow into an expected diversion for people who are deep in the tech industry has been cool. Every month, they have two meetups and introduce each other with ice breakers and a drink. Make sure to check out their Meetup page to keep updated on when they will be meeting.

That’s the Big 3 this week. I need a catchphrase for this space.

4Q4: Four questions for … Tatsiana Sokalava, Career Scoops

Marco Santana

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February 2, 2024

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4Q4: Four questions for … Tatsiana Sokalava, Career Scoops

Orlando tech startup Career Scoops, run by Tatsiana Sokalava and her son, Arman, continues to grow.

Most recently, the duo forged a partnership with the career coaching firm HiLite Coaching, which would expand the base of knowledge at Career Scoops to guide young students to personal success. YOU CAN LEARN MORE HERE.

Career Scoops aims to be a platform that helps young students connect with professionals in certain fields to learn more about what it takes to do the job.

The goal is to give them a taste of a career before they dive into it. The platform has been busy forging partnerships with educational institutions and youth organizations.

We caught up with Sokalava to talk more about the education tech space.

How has Career Scoops gone since launch?

We launched Career Scoops grounded in the belief that every young person deserves the chance to discover a career they are truly passionate about. Over the past year, we have dedicated ourselves to developing and deploying innovative career exploration tools. These efforts have enabled us to bring career clarity and confidence to the youth within our community.

This journey has been nothing short of inspiring, constantly reinforcing our commitment to driving meaningful change in the lives of young individuals by ensuring that each one has the opportunity to uncover a career path that resonates deeply with their passions. We are on the cusp of enhancing our technological offerings with the upcoming beta release of Career Buddy, our AI-driven career companion. This initiative represents a major leap forward in our quest to provide accessible, on-demand career advice to youth everywhere. Career Buddy is not just a tool; it’s a beacon for those navigating the complexities of career planning. At Career Scoops, we are more than just a platform; we are a gateway to possibilities dedicated to assisting every young person on their journey to career fulfillment.

What would you tell someone looking to pursue an idea in edtech?

First, prioritize establishing strong, quality relationships within the educational community. These connections with future decision-makers, clients, and advocates are invaluable. They foster trust and support for your mission and ensure you have a foundation of champions who believe in your vision.

Second, deeply understand the problem you aim to solve and ensure that your intended users see the value in solving this problem. Understanding the landscape and the various stakeholders involved is crucial. A profound grasp of the dynamics at play can significantly influence your venture’s growth trajectory and success.

What’s a challenge and benefit of working with your son on a startup?

The blend of challenges and rewards are unique. Balancing his academic commitments at school with his role in the startup is paramount. His passion for our mission — to help his peers navigate their career paths — is inspiring, yet it’s crucial to ensure he has the space to grow personally and explore other interests, like speech and debate.

The experience of witnessing Arman’s personal and professional growth firsthand is profoundly rewarding. It’s a constant reminder of the importance of our mission, not just to him but to many others. His insights and feedback have been invaluable, continually pushing me to refine our vision and approach.

How has tech changed education recently?

The education landscape has been dramatically transformed by technology, especially in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. AI, in particular, has revolutionized how educational content is delivered and consumed, setting new expectations for both students and educators. The challenge now lies in finding the right balance between leveraging tech-driven solutions and nurturing essential human interactions.

Today’s students are digital natives who have experienced both traditional and virtual learning environments. They require educational approaches that cultivate soft skills while maximizing the benefits of technology. As educators and innovators, we must adapt to meet these needs, ensuring that technology enhances the learning experience without diminishing the value of personal interaction and development.