Embry-Riddle Unveils Partners for Research Park

Seven Central Florida companies and organizations specializing in advanced technology, business start-up, legal services, IT, professional sports, venture capital, accounting and more have partnered with Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University’s Research Park in a joint effort to foster and facilitate innovative business creation and incubation within Florida’s booming research corridor.

As announced August 2 at Embry-Riddle’s Daytona Beach, Fla., campus, International Speedway Corporation (ISC) and DuvaSawko EM Billing & Management Solutions have signed on as Nexus Partners and are positioned to influence, contribute and access the burgeoning businesses that will bring new tech enterprises to market.

As the leading promoter of motorsports entertainment and events in the United States, ISC owns and operates 13 motorsports facilities including Daytona Beach International Speedway. In addition to a focus on innovation and cutting-edge concepts within the racing industry, ISC invests in community, charitable and environmentally sustainable programs.

Based in Ormond Beach, Fla., DuvaSawko is a locally-owned company nearly 20 years in business that has earned a national reputation for its revolutionary approach and success in software development and revenue cycle management – specifically in department coding, billing, accounts receivable (A/R) management, practice management software and service and professional fee billing.

The expertise these Nexus Partners bring will benefit emerging enterprise as well as support the development of innovation and technology.

Filling the five Resident Partner positions are Cobb Cole, FireSpring Fund, James Moore & Co., Vann Data Services and venVelo. Resident Partners will provide professional advice, direction and services in addition to making connections and long-term relationships with start-up companies within the Research Park and university. They will support start-up ventures while advancing new technologies toward commercialization and launch.

A staple in Central Florida since 1925, Cobb Cole is the largest law firm in Volusia County with areas of expertise in business, employment, real estate, land development and tax law. Skilled in technology transfer, Cobb Cole recently was recognized as a top-ranked law firm by Martindale-Hubbell.

FireSpring Fund is a mentor-driven seed fund and accelerator that provides seed capital to early-stage technology companies located in Central Florida that demonstrate high growth potential with a national and/or international level reach. Investments range from $25,000 to $225,000 based on success metrics and the accelerator program runs for six months.  FireSpring Fund is a non-profit 501(c)3 with the mission to bridge the funding gap and help companies start, stay and grow in Central Florida.  

Founded in 1964, James Moore & Co., CPAs and Consultants is a full-service firm that provides accounting and auditing, tax, technology solutions, CFO and other business consulting services with extensive higher education and technology industry expertise. With offices in Daytona Beach, Tallahassee and Gainesville (where it is a partner of the University of Florida), it has been named among the Top 25 accounting firms in the state.

Vann Data Services, a certified Minority/Woman Owned Business headquartered in Daytona Beach, has been providing network, security and IT business solutions since 1978. Specializing in IT Infrastructure and Design, Cloud Computing and Business Continuity, Vann Data Services is a Microsoft Silver Midmarket Partner and provides support throughout Volusia and Flagler counties and Central Florida. Executive Vice President Todd Huffstickler is a graduate of Embry-Riddle.

Winner of the 2014 “Tech Investor of the Year” Award from the Metro Orlando Economic Development Commission, venVelo is the most active early-stage venture fund in Central Florida. It provides capital and mentoring through its board of entrepreneurs and executives with decades of experience in sales, marketing, human resources and finance.

All partners will be housed in the Research Park’s cornerstone building, the John Mica Engineering and Aerospace Innovation Complex. Named after  U.S. Representative John Mica (R-Florida) in honor of his key role in supporting the university’s educational and research endeavors and more commonly called the MicaPlex, it is a 50,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art innovation hub designed to encompass research enterprises in aviation, space, engineering, unmanned systems and the environment working in partnership with Embry-Riddle faculty and students. Located adjacent to the Daytona Beach Campus, it will include 10,000 square feet of flex lease space as part of a collaborative platform for incubating new technologies. Tenant partnership opportunities are still available for the flex lease space.

“This is a unique collaborative opportunity not only for our partners and start-up companies, but for our students, staff and faculty,” said Embry-Riddle Interim President Dr. Karen A. Holbrook. “The diversity and depth of experience that these partners represent provide a comprehensive suite of services for future leaders of tomorrow – whether they be students, local businesses or national organizations.”