Startup Companies

The University of Florida has one of the leading startups programs in the nation. The UF Office of Technology Licensing (OTL) helped start more than 140 biomedical and technology companies based on university research in the last 12 years, including 15 new companies in 2012 alone. This is a testament to the quality of the research, the fact that they are unique, well-protected innovations, and the fact that experienced, credible entrepreneurs are attracted by the possibilities to leverage this work for commercial success. Read news stories about recent startup successes here.

UF OTL’s key ingredient for success is matching scientists with good ideas to experienced entrepreneurs. OTL staff are adept at working with new ventures locally and around the country.

UF has tools to help young companies get started. Two outstanding incubators, the Florida Innovation Hub at UF and the Sid Martin Biotechnology Incubator, have strong support programs for startups. UF TechConnect®, an EDA University Center housed in OTL, is pivotal. A statewide startups office based in the Innovation Hub, headed by an outstanding entrepreneur, offers matching money.

UF offers a range of programs designed to grow our entrepreneurial environment. UF has developed a grand vision around the Innovation Hub, the first building in the 40-acre Innovation Square science and research community. The University’s continuing push to be a national leader in all things innovation now includes the UF Innovation Academy.

At the heart of the matter, investors are making money off our companies. We have had a number of significant liquidity over the past several years:

Read Company Opportunity Sheets, view websites and watch videos about startup companies based on UF technologies.

Startups in the News

Read news coverage and press releases, and subscribe to our RSS feed for news about UF startup companies.

Technology Spotlight Videos

Watch TV20 videos about our startup companies.