ORLANDO, Fla. (Jan. 31, 2024) – The U.S. National Science Foundation announced Central Florida was selected among the first NSF Regional Innovation Engines. The award could infuse up to $160 million into the region’s semiconductor industry over the next decade.
Led by BRIDG, the Central Florida Semiconductor Innovation Engine is a coalition that also includes the University of Central Florida, the University of Florida, Valencia College, Osceola County, CareerSource Central Florida, imec, the Orlando Economic Partnership and The Corridor. With the technology campus of NeoCity as a centerpiece, the groups will collaborate on research projects, economic development and workforce development to ensure a thriving semiconductor ecosystem in the region.
“Winning one of the first-ever NSF Regional Innovation Engines awards is a transformational moment we will reflect on years from now as a turning point in the history of Florida’s high-tech economy,” said Florida High Tech Corridor CEO Paul Sohl, Rear Adm. USN (ret). “This accomplishment validates our region’s innovation potential and spotlights a collaborative effort by many partners who set aside their own interests for a common goal: to propel our ecosystem and the communities we serve forward by cementing this region as a global hub for groundbreaking semiconductor research and technological innovation. Firing up this Engine is going to be awesome!”
See the full news release from BRIDG here.