The place where Big Ideas Really Do Take Off
There’s a whole side of Orlando most people don’t know. The region has the fastest growing job market and population in the country, outpacing other fast-growing metros like Dallas, Atlanta and Austin and propelling innovation forward. From its roots as a university town built to win the space race, Orlando is on the cutting edge of new technology innovations – advancements that will create a brilliant future for not only the region and its residents, but the entire world.
-
Named a “Rising Star” City for Tech Employment and Job Growth
Brookings Institute, 2022
-
500K+ Higher-Education Students
Within 100 Miles of Orlando,
Lightcast (IPEDS), 2023 -
No. 1 Best Large City to Start a Business
WalletHub, 2024
-
80%+ of Workers Are Employed Outside of Leisure & Hospitality
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, June, 2024
Get funded
Available Financing
Companies at every stage have numerous resources available to finance their business, from government funding to regional matching grants to bonds. Both Florida and Orlando are also home to venture capitalists, angel investors as well as commercial banks.
Private Capital
Orlando is home to many sources of private capital including venture capital, angel investors, start-up financing and small business investment companies.
Government Funding
Federal, state and local grant programs that provide funding for small businesses and start-ups.
Matching Grants
Grants support industry-university research projects and SBIR/STTR awards in which one of the three participating universities is a partner.
Bonds
Learn more about if you qualify for bonds in Orange and Seminole counties in the Orlando region.
– Suneera Madhani
CEO & Co-Founder, Fattmerchant
From start-up to Scale up
Business Growth Programs
Orlando’s community is enthusiastic about partnership and collaboration, and there are many resources that entrepreneurs can take advantage of to grow and scale their businesses in the region.
Small Business Development Center at UCF
The Small Business Development Center at UCF provides business seminars and no-cost one-on-one business consulting for small business owners.
UCF Business Incubation Program
The UCF Business Incubation Program helps startup companies develop into financially stable, high impact businesses.
StarterStudio
StarterStudio is a robust entrepreneurial community for tech-enabled startups and other innovators that are adding fuel to Florida’s growing technology economy.
Orlando SCORE
A nonprofit association supported by the U.S. Small Business Administration that offers free advice from local experts to help start or grow your small business
Economic Development and Research
Our Services and Additional Resources
Resource Center
The Partnership uses cutting edge economic and industry research to understand the Central Florida market.
Economic Development Services
The Partnership offers a full range of services to businesses looking to locate or expand in the Orlando area with a staff of business development experts who can assist in everything from site location analysis to evaluation of financial assistance.
International Resources
The Partnership works directly with international companies looking to expand into the United States and offers global business assistance, market intelligence and site selection services.
News About Orlando’s Startup Community
- Orlando Tech Community
- Startups
- Economic Development
- Entrepreneurship
- Innovative Technologies
- Venture Capital
- Expansions
- Orlando Economic Partnership
Plug and Play Launches New Orlando Region Office, Focused on Smart Cities Press Release
- Advanced Manufacturing
- Public Policy and Advocacy
- Innovative Technologies
- Orlando Economic Partnership
- Smart Sensors
Congressman Darren Soto recognized for his Semiconductor Advocacy Press Release
Veytec Expands into New Orlando Headquarters Press Release
ThreatLocker, a Pioneer in Endpoint Security, Expands into New Maitland Headquarters Press Release
Innovative Military Virtual Reality Training Company HAVIK Expands to Orlando Press Release
- Advanced Manufacturing
- Public Policy and Advocacy
- Innovative Technologies
- Orlando Economic Partnership
- Smart Sensors
Osceola County Wins Generational Federal Investment in U.S. Semiconductor Manufacturing Press Release
Orlando Economic Partnership Announces Five-Year Strategic Plan for Innovation and Tech Ecosystem Press Release
much more than a one company town
Key Technology Sectors
80 percent of workers in Orlando are employed outside of the leisure and hospitality industry. We’re a little more high-tech than you might think.
Optics & Photonics
Leading the nation in tourism and photonics technology.
Simulation
The birthplace of the experience economy.
Digital Media
The most visited destination is also a hub for creativity.