MicaPlex’s First Flex-Lease Tenant Launches R&D Center and Immediate Hiring of Highly Skilled Professionals
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University’s Research Park has its first established company as a flex-lease tenant at the John Mica Engineering and Aerospace Innovation Complex (MicaPlex) – and they are ready to bolster Volusia County’s economy by hiring highly-skilled, in-demand professionals.
In an agreement signed this week with the university to house their Research & Development (R&D) Center at the MicaPlex, Aerial Applications, a provider of rapid drone-based maps, has committed to posting jobs immediately to hire marketing and computer science engineering professionals within the next 12 months.
Headquartered in Newtown, Pa., and with an existing engineering office in Daytona Beach, Aerial Applications’ teams of expert pilots, engineers, policy analysts and business consultants work closely with clients to leverage the latest in unmanned aerial technology by providing turn-key solutions and added value to businesses. As drone experts, Aerial Applications analyzes business processes, identifies areas of impact and provides solutions using geospatial data for Comcast, PricewaterhouseCoopers and MD5 – the Department of Defense National Security Technology Accelerator.
“We are delighted to be among the first class of companies chosen for the MicaPlex. It is an exciting opportunity to leverage the talent and expertise of Embry-Riddle, while also creating high-value jobs in the local area,” said Aerial Applications CEO and founder Joe Sullivan. “The experience that our team has gained as students of Embry-Riddle is invaluable.”
As the first physical tenants of the MicaPlex, located adjacent to Embry-Riddle’s Daytona Beach Campus, Aerial Applications will join other partner tenants to foster and facilitate innovative business creation and incubation within Florida’s booming research corridor. Tenant partners are able to use laboratory facilities and Embry-Riddle academic talent including faculty and university resources. They also are able to collaborate with other established businesses and consult with onsite legal and financial advisors.
“When we are contemplating tenants for the MicaPlex, the hiring pipeline of interested companies is of the highest priority. With Aerial Applications, we immediately recognized and appreciated that they are as committed as we are to bringing quality job opportunities to Volusia County,” said Rodney Cruise, Embry-Riddle Senior Vice President for Administration and Planning. “By establishing an R&D Center in the MicaPlex, Aerial Applications represents a physical first as a tenant in the flex-lease space, but it is also the next step in solidifying Embry-Riddle’s Research Park as the home for future innovative and economic growth.”
About The John Mica Engineering and Aerospace Innovation Complex (MicaPlex)
Known as the MicaPlex, this cornerstone building of the Research Park at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University will house collaborative workspaces, a wide range of laboratories and business support services collocated to ensure that technology-focused startups will have every advantage for success. The first building phase also includes a large wind tunnel and test facility with cutting-edge instrumentation. Named for U.S. Representative John Mica (R-Florida) in honor of his key role in supporting the university’s educational and research endeavors, it is strategically located in Central Florida’s “Convergence Zone” of innovation and discovery. This collaborative atmosphere is designed for incubating new technologies across 10,000 square feet of flex lease space to meet tenants’ needs, and is scheduled to be completed in Spring 2017. For more information, go to erau.edu/micaplex. For information about partnership opportunities, call (386) 226-4928 or email micaplex@erau.edu.
About Aerial Applications
Aerial Applications produces rapid drone-based maps. Combining flight operation services with unique software and hardware solutions, Aerial Applications delivers highly detailed geospatial information within a tight timeline. These maps provide value for applications from disaster response to critical infrastructure inspections and new construction. For more information, go to aerialapplications.com.