Leading the nation in tourism and Photonics Technology

Orlando has a uniquely competitive position for optics and photonics companies due to its longstanding history in aerospace technology and manufacturing. The region’s assets like the University of Central Florida’s College of Optics & Photonics (CREOL) and Central Florida Research Park give these companies a competitive advantage compared to other locations around the world.

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Casey Evans

Vice President, Economic Development

407.902.2411

6th largest research park in the U.S.

Central Florida Research Park
Among the top 5 public universities for optics in the U.S. and the top 30 worldwide

College of Optics and Photonics (CREOL) at the University of Central Florida
U.S. News & World Report, 2024
Majority of the top 10 Fortune 500 aerospace & defense companies operate in or near Orlando

The home of happiness

Featured Optics & Photonics Companies

From innovation and initial concepts to manufacturing the final product, Orlando’s ecosystem of talent and attractive cost of doing business supports a thriving cluster of companies developing semiconductors, microelectronics and optics and photonics technology.

FARO Technologies

FARO designs, develops, manufactures, markets, and supports software-driven 3D imaging solutions.

L3Harris Technologies

L3Harris is a U.S. technology company, defense contractor, and information technology services provider.

Lightpath Technologies

HQ’d in Orlando, LightPath is a global manufacturer of optical materials, components and infrared solutions.

Luminar Technologies

Luminar is a sensor and software company delivering LiDAR for autonomous vehicles.

Northrop Grumman

Northrop Grumman is a global aerospace and defense technology company.

Ocean Optics

Ocean Optics’s Orlando facility houses its corporate headquarters and manufacturing, engineering, and administrative teams.

OptiGrate

Optigrate is a technology manufacturing company that helps optimize healthcare organizations.

Photon-X

Based in Kissimmee, Photon-X specializes in 3D optical sensing and other technologies.

"Orlando is one of only four major optics & photonics clusters in the U.S. It’s like a Silicon Valley here in Orlando focused on optics and photonics technology."

– Steve Buckley, Ph.D., General Manager at Ocean Insight

It’s a Smart world After All

From industry partnerships at the K-12 level to nationally recognized university programs, companies find the talent they need in Orlando without facing the fierce competition their peers encounter in other cities.

https://www.creol.ucf.edu/

University of Central Florida

A world leader in education, research and industrial partnership.

The College of Optics & Photonics (CREOL)

https://valenciacollege.edu/academics/accelerated-skills-training/optics-technology.php

Valencia College

The most accelerated optics & photonics training program in the U.S. taught by multiple subject matter experts from the local employer community.

Precision Optics, Photonics & Fiber Optics Technician training program

http://www.laser-tec.org/

Center for Lasers and Fiber Optics Education

Trains students across the nation to become laser and fiber optic technicians. The program partners with 34 colleges and more than 250 companies.

Program led by Indian River State College

Laser Photonics Academy at Wekiwa High School

https://wekivahs.ocps.net/academics/programs/laser_photonics_program

Wekiva High School

Offers a dual-degree program in partnership with Orange County Public Schools, Valencia Community College and Northrup Grumman Laser Systems.

Laser Photonics Academy

For every one graduate from the Orlando region, there are 23 regional jobs.

Compare to the San Francisco region: there is one graduate for every 35 jobs.

BREADTH OF EXPERIENCE, LESS COMPETITION

Specialized Workforce

Orlando possesses a high concentration of talented employees with the education and experience necessary to meet the skill needs of the region’s companies.

Lockheed Martin tapped into Orlando’s specialized tech talent well before Disney arrived, and the aerospace cluster near the Space Coast has contributed to the region’s leading STEM and manufacturing job growth.

Large companies including Northrop Grumman, Mitsubishi Power and Siemens have brought advanced manufacturing jobs to the Orlando region, steadily growing our robust engineering and tech talent pool.

Industry Assets

Orlando’s established industry cluster has grown due to supportive R&D and industry partners and assets.

BRIDG

Florida Photonics Cluster

The Florida High Tech Corridor

Florida Solar Energy Center

imec Florida

Manufacturer’s Association of Central Florida

NeoCity

Team Orlando

The Laser Institute

UCF’s Advanced Materials Processing and Analysis Center

Serving Up Savings like Sunshine

An Orlando location just makes sense when you add up the affordable industrial market, no state income tax, and overall business-friendly climate. Both office and industrial space in Orlando is less expensive than other major metropolitan areas.

Thanks to millions of visitors each year, Orlando’s cultural amenities and accessibility are on par with some of the biggest cities around the world. Plus, an affordable cost of living translates into cost savings for your business when it comes to hiring top talent.

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Featured Properties

Orlando is a cost-effective location, whether you plan to build, buy or lease.

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Central Florida Research Park

The Central Florida Research Park is a campus-like environment for business, located adjacent to the University of Central Florida. Businesses that desire a “university relationship” can purchase land in the Research Park on which to construct a facility or can lease space for office, office/lab or light manufacturing uses.

NeoCity

Way beyond a traditional research park, NeoCity is a master-planned mixed-use research and technology district and community. Connected to a regional network of research and educational facilities, recreational amenities and corporate partners through an excellent transportation network, NeoCity is anchored by a versatile and state-of-the-art 200mm microelectronics fabrication facility.