Author: Meghan Meyer
Publisher: University of Florida News
Date: November 1, 2012

The hot new field of technology startups faces a distressing problem: Women are so underrepresented in these companies’ leadership ranks that less than 10 percent of venture-backed startups are headed by women.

On Tuesday, 55 women will emerge from a new program, Empowering Women in Technology Startups, or eWiTS, ready to change these statistics — and the world.

The University of Florida Office of Technology Licensing, UF Tech Connect and the Florida Innovation Hub partnered with local women technology entrepreneurs and community leaders to launch eWITS. Read more here.

Publisher: University of Florida News
Date: August 1, 2012

Shadow Health Inc., a virtual education and training company based on University of Florida computer-programming technology, will graduate from the Florida Innovation Hub at UF at 4:30 p.m. Thursday with an informal ceremony in the lobby.

“This early-stage company, now a viable, fully independent enterprise, is moving into a vacant building in downtown Gainesville,” said Jane Muir, director of the Florida Innovation Hub. “The entire community can be proud of that.”

Shadow Health is one of about two dozen startup companies located in the Florida Innovation Hub at UF, a unique incubator for tech startups and the first building in Innovation Square. Read more here.

Publisher: University of Florida News
Date: July 23, 2012

The University of Florida is the only university in the state and among only 10 universities in the region to receive a federal five-year grant this month to promote the formation of technology startup companies based on university research discoveries.

The U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration awarded $645,000, matched by the university over the next five years, to UF Tech Connect through its University Center Economic Development Program.

UF Tech Connect, an EDA University Center housed in the UF Office of Technology Licensing at the Florida Innovation Hub, assists in commercializing university research discoveries by helping create startup companies. During the last fiscal year, UF Tech Connect client companies created 230 new jobs and generated $180 million in private investment. The grant will allow the program to continue this work. Read more here.

Publisher: University of Florida
Date: March 22, 2012

The University of Florida’s Office of Technology Licensing will hold its sixth annual “A Celebration of Innovation” technology showcase Tuesday at the Hilton University of Florida Conference Center.

Fourteen early-stage startup companies based on UF technologies will present in the areas of medical devices, drug development, explosive detection, green energy and other industries. Last year’s showcase drew a record crowd of more than 300 public officials, business leaders, inventors and service providers. The conference also drew about 50 investors from as far away as Germany, Chile, the Dominican Republic, Mexico, California, Boston, Minnesota and throughout Florida.

“A Celebration of Innovation has become a must-attend event for investors in the Southeast and across the country,” said Jane Muir, associate director of the UF Office of Technology Licensing. “It’s a great opportunity for them to get a first look at technologies being developed at UF. We’re bringing scientists and entrepreneurs together to help get these technologies from the lab to the marketplace, where they can make the world a better place.” Read more here.

Publisher: University of Florida
Date: January 9, 2012

The Florida Innovation Hub at UF will host an open house for the public from 3 to 4:30 p.m. Jan. 11.

The public is invited to see the 48,000-square-foot building at 747 SW Second Ave. The building is a catalyst for startup companies whose technologies originated from laboratories at the University of Florida and throughout the state. Company representatives will be on hand to answer questions and demonstate products.

Visitors also may tour offices, including the UF Office of Technology Licensing, labs, companies and service providers, and see the illuminated graphic display in the lobby, “Inspiration’s Journey.”  Read more here.