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National Entrepreneur Center Opening Slated for Spring 2003
Plans for a National Entrepreneur Center (NEC) in the heart of
downtown Orlando are drawing near a conclusion. Slated to open this
spring, the center, which combines local, state and federal resources in
one facility, is designed to be a one-stop business center for
entrepreneurs and small business executives. The NEC is being developed
through a partnership between the U.S. Small Business Administration,
Orange County Government, Walt Disney World, University of Central
Florida (UCF), and Florida's High Tech Corridor Council (FHTCC). The
Center will be only the second of its kind in the country. The first
Center is housed in San Jose, Calif. For a tour of the San Jose facility
visit
www.ecenteronline.org/home.asp.
$1 Million in Federal Funds to Provide IT Training for Tampa Teachers
Teachers in the Tampa Bay region will soon receive information
technology training at Hillsborough Community College (HCC) thanks to $1
million in federal funding. Called the Information Technology Teacher
Development Initiative, this program will be part of a new IT training
center being built at the school's Dale Mabry campus in Tampa. “The
Teacher Development Initiative will encompass math, science and
technology-based programs that will offer on-campus and distance
learning opportunities,” explained Dr. Gwendolyn Stephenson, president
of HCC. "We appreciate the foresight of Congressmen Young, Bilirakis,
Davis, and Putnam to allow us to take this major step forward in
training our local workforce." For more information on the program visit
www.hcc.cc.fl.us/news/teachdev.html.
Military Technology Used to Create Cutting-Edge Wireless Environments
Former military technology is being used in a cutting-edge solution
to wireless networking. Maitland based MeshNetworks' products turn
laptops and handhelds into information relay devices, which then utilize
a technique called "hopping." Essentially, information transmitted by a
user is "hopped" through the various mobile devices until it reaches an
internet access point. This makes mesh networking a more efficient,
cost-effective solution for large environments than other wireless
networking systems such as 802.11b or WiFi. The system is also
self-healing, adapting itself as wireless devices are added or taken
away. For more information on MeshNetworks visit
www.meshnetworks.com.
Information on Region's High Tech Activity to be Made Available Online
A new Web site will soon make information on the region's high tech
industry, and specifically its homeland security products and services,
available to anyone with an internet connection. Called HomeBase21 –
Florida's Technology Port, this innovative project is being sponsored by
the FHTCC, Tampa Bay Partnership and various other business and
community organizations and is scheduled to be launched this spring.
Once complete, the site will include directory listings for thousands of
local high tech companies, allow companies to create a detailed profile
of their products and services, and allow users to search the site for
companies and products of interest. For more information on the project
contact Sid Miller at
sidneymiller@cfl.rr.com.
Corridor Educators to Spend Summer Alongside University Researchers
Corridor science, technology, engineering and math teachers will
work alongside university researchers this summer through an innovative
internship program at the University of South Florida (USF). Called
Research Experiences for Teachers (RET), this five week program will
allow 15-20 middle and high school educators to conduct research and
develop lesson plans based on the experience. Many of the participants
will also get to spend an extra week at a local high tech company,
providing them with a practical understanding of the region's technology
industry. The program, which pays teachers $1,000 per week, is accepting
applications through February 7. To apply contact Marsha Brett at
brett@eng.usf.edu or for more information visit
www.eng.usf.edu/rnr/ret2002.htm.
Start-ups to Learn How to Enter International Markets
Executives of young entrepreneurial companies will learn how to tap
into international markets at the International Technology
Entrepreneurship Conference. Hosted by the University of Tampa on
February 7, conference highlights include panels on successfully
capitalizing on international marketing opportunities, finding local
support services for entering these markets, and the need for an
international support network of incubators and services for young
start-ups. There will also be a keynote address by Eduardo Hauser,
executive vice president of AOL Latin America, on how AOL entered
Brazil. For more information or to register for the event visit
http://techcon.ut.edu.
Orlando Company Develops Low-Cost, Reconfigurable Simulator
Tank drivers and helicopter pilots can now use the same simulator
thanks to a low-cost, reconfigurable technology developed by RealSims LLC. A graduate of UCF's Technology Incubator, RealSims FasTrac product
can also participate in larger battle scenarios through its ability to
display and interact with other military training systems. This leading
edge technology has led to a contract with the U.S. Navy and projects
sales and grants worth more than $50 million this year. For more
information on RealSims visit
www.realsims.com.
Medical Technology Cluster Analysis to be Available Online
Shedding light on the region's medical technology sector, a
comprehensive cluster analysis will soon be available on the Corridor's
Web site. Conducted on behalf of the FHTCC, UCF, USF, and Tampa Bay
Partnership and in cooperation with the Florida Medical Manufacturing
Consortium and Gulf Coast Life Sciences Initiative, this study looked at
topics such as national industry trends, Florida industry activity,
workforce recruitment issues, business recruitment issues, import /
export data, “typical company” profiling, and research / technology
needs. The report, which was conducted by Guy Hagen of Innovation
Insight, will soon be available at
www.floridahightech.com/info/research_resources.htm.
Central Florida Teachers to Test Innovative Student Training System
Teachers from four Central Florida high school IT programs will soon
test a new system designed to improve students’ fundamental work skills.
Known as Project Prime Skills and developed by O-Force, the Orlando
Regional Partnership for Tomorrow’s Workforce, this system will utilize
technology developed by the modeling, simulation and training industry
and focus on teaching skills identified by employers as most important.
These skills include teamwork, self-management, problem-solving and
decision-making abilities. The project is being conducted in partnership
with the Institute for Simulation & Training at UCF, the SCANS 2000
Center at Johns Hopkins University, and the FHTCC. For more information
visit
www.o-force.org/projects.html.
Bay Area Manufacturers to get Look at Competing in a Global Economy
Tampa Bay manufacturers will get an in-depth look at ways to more
effectively compete in the global economy at an event scheduled for
February 11. Presented by the Bay Area Manufacturers Association, the
Modern Manufacturing Conference will specifically cover topics such as
automating manufacturing operations, facility management systems,
software / services for ISO processes, and manufacturing accounting
software. Panelists include Jim Green, CEO of Digital Lightwave; Don DeFosset, CEO of Walter Industries; Fazal
Fazline, CEO of SmartShadow,
Inc.; and Patrick Worsham, former CFO of Coca-Cola USA. For more
information visit
http://www.bama-fl.org.
Inside Florida's High Tech Corridor
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