Exciting News From The Florida Institute

Last month the Orlando Convention Center hosted the 41st annual conference for the Association for Unmanned Systems International, the world’s largest non-profit organization devoted exclusively to advancing the unmanned systems and robotics community. Military and public agencies throughout the world showcased revolutionary innovations that will greatly influence defense, civil and commercial sectors. Among the companies highlighted was Gainesville-based Altavian, an unmanned aircraft solutions provider that integrates engineering and manufacturing with services that enable the technology for federal, state, local, and commercial clients. The company is commercializing technology developed at the University of Florida, and will maximize product value by safely and efficiently collecting data that is precise, accurate, and timely to their customers.  

 

The Florida Venture Forum hosted its 7th Annual Early Stage Venture Capital Conference in May, bringing together the entrepreneurial and investment communities for networking and business development. Twenty of Florida’s most promising companies were selected to present to an audience of over 250 attendees, and among the presenting startups were three Institute-supported companies: Biscayne Pharmaceuticals, Vigilant Biosciences, Inc., each commercializing technology licensed from the University of Miami, and Comm-N-Sense, commercializing technology licensed from the University of Florida. 

 

Academic and business leaders gathered in Washington D.C. last month to attend the National Science Foundation (NSF) workshop, “Cultivating Entrepreneurship.” The two-day workshop highlighted roadblocks that public and private organizations face in moving research-based discoveries to market and how NSF can effectively partner to accelerate commercialization efforts. Institute CEO Jamie Grooms was in attendance and discussed the importance of seed funding for early stage companies. “Entrepreneurship celebrates innovation and inspires creative minds to develop solutions to some of today’s toughest challenges,” said Grooms. “Funding is key for bringing new technologies to market, and by partnering with NSF to offer additional resources, together we can help accelerate product commercialization and company success.”  

The Institute finalized a funding agreement with Enterade USA, developers of medical foods and products that stabilize GI function and help alleviate side effects experienced by patients undergoing radiotherapy and chemotherapy. The Newberry-based health, nutrition and wellness company is bringing their rehydration technology platform to market by creating medical foods that combine cutting edge research with the lifestyle demands of patients wanting to gain back their independence and functionality while coping with the debilitating effects of acute/chronic disease states. Based on technology developed at the University of Florida, Enterade’s lead product is specially formulated to rapidly replace critical electrolytes and fluids lost due to chronic diarrhea, and helps correct pH in the upper GI, reducing likelihood for nausea.

 

Ocoos, providers of specialized internet platform technology that delivers a seamless, information rich connection between consumers, service providers and subject matter experts in a structured, relevant and trusted manner, announced 30% revenue growth in just one month. Commercializing technology developed at the University of Florida, the company’s release of their cloud-based platform is delivering enhanced performance for Ocoos customers.