Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/297333
CORRIDOR BRIEFS in getting an idea off the ground or growing sales. As companies move past the startup stage and are poised for continued growth, further technical assistance becomes available through the statewide program GrowFL at the University of Central Florida's Florida Economic Gardening Institute. The program stems from concepts of eco- nomic gardening which include strate- gies to grow second-stage companies. GrowFL provides market research, competitive intelligence, external communication strategy and more to assist CEOs into the next level of business. A 2012 study found that the programs have assisted more than 700 companies and helped create more than 4,000 direct and indirect local jobs since 2009, and the program's continued success indicates even greater impact will be reported in a study currently underway. The Corridor is rich with entrepreneurs and research talent ready and willing to present their innovative ideas to the marketplace. FLVEC and GrowFL serve as invaluable entrepreneurial tools to help make it happen and FHTCC looks forward to the great accomplishments by thriving entrepreneurs. For more information, visit flvec.com and growfl.com. Florida Polytechnic Partners with Industry Leaders to Close High Tech Gap Florida Polytechnic University has an enterprising solution to the technology skills gap vexing the U.S.: Partner with indus- try leaders to align higher education with real-world demand for high tech workers. Dedicated to science, technology, engineering and mathematics, and strategically located along Florida's high tech corridor, Florida's newest and only polytechnic univer- sity aims to close the STEM gap by producing job-ready graduates with the talent, in-depth knowledge and skills to compete and lead in high tech fields. Even prior to the start of its inaugural class in August 2014, Florida Poly has been forming relationships with industry leaders. Florida Poly's industry partners will have the opportunity to serve on the university's advisory boards, inform its curriculum, explore joint research opportunities and engage students in finding innovative solutions to practical problems. Florida Poly sees these industry alliances as critical to the success of students, the University and Florida's economy. Companies like Microsoft, Stryker and Harris Corporation agree. They are among Florida Poly's growing network of industry partners. "As our company continues to grow, we know firsthand the need to foster an advanced workforce with expertise in STEM fields of study," said Bill Brown, president and CEO of Harris Corporation. From curriculum to infrastructure, Florida Poly is designed to be nimble and responsive to rapidly advancing technology and the needs of high tech firms. Florida Poly will be the first in the state to offer courses in emerging technologies like Motion Intelligence, Big Data Analytics and Cloud Virtualization, new fields that are already chang- ing our world. For more information, visit floridapolytechnic.org. florida.HIGH.TECH 2014 07